Respiratory Radiology Lecture Notes

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key radiographic signs, diagnostic findings, and disease types for respiratory radiology based on M. Khalil's lecture.

HRCT

High Resolution CT, also referred to as the CT lung window.

C-shaped border

A meniscus-shaped border that is a pathognomonic sign of pleural effusion on a PA erect chest x-ray.

Bilateral pleural effusion

A condition characterized by the obliteration of both costophrenic angles with bilateral homogeneous opacifications; the most common underlying cause is heart failure.

Loculated pleural effusion

An opacification that occupies specific areas such as the horizontal fissure of the right lung; TB is a potential cause.

Simple pneumothorax

Radiographic findings of hyperlucency (jet black) and a shadow of collapsed lung without contralateral mediastinal shifting.

Tension pneumothorax

A condition featuring hyperlucency, low-set diaphragm, and contralateral mediastinal shifting; considered a medical emergency.

Air-fluid level

The hallmark radiological sign of hydro pneumothorax (or haemo pneumothorax in the context of RTA).

Cannon ball sign

Multiple bilateral coin-like opacifications indicating pulmonary metastasis, most commonly from renal or suprarenal cancer.

Adenocarcinoma

The most common histopathological type of lung cancer according to the notes.

Lung Abscess

Characterized by a cavity containing an air-fluid level on a chest x-ray, typically presenting with a history of fever.

Mycetoma (aspergilloma)

A round opacification inside a pre-existing lung cavity, characterized by the crescent sign.

Honey comb sign

Radiological evidence of multiple small thick-walled cystic lesions and reticulonodular shadows, diagnostic of pulmonary fibrosis.

Millet seed sign

Multiple bilateral punctate opacifications (nodular shadows) typical of miliary TB.

Loss of right cardiac border silhouette

A specific x-ray sign indicating right middle lobe pneumonia.

Air bronchogram

A sign of lobar pneumonia visible as air-filled bronchi within an area of lung consolidation.

Lung atelectasis

Homogeneous opacified lung with ipsilateral tracheal shifting; caused by bronchogenic carcinoma in adults or foreign body aspiration in pediatrics.

Batwing or butterfly sign

Bilateral hilar and parahilar opacification that spares the periphery, indicative of pulmonary edema.

Signet ring sign

A sign of cylindrical bronchiectasis seen on CT where the airway diameter is larger than the adjacent vessel.

Tram track sign

A radiological finding associated with cylindrical bronchiectasis.

Centrilobular emphysema

The most common type of emphysema, typically affecting the upper lobes of smokers.

Panlobular emphysema

A type of emphysema associated with $\alpha_1$-antitrypsin deficiency that is more prominent in the lower lobes.

Malignant mesothelioma

A density of irregular soft tissue occupying the pleura with rib invasion, highly associated with asbestosis risk.

Pulmonary emboli

Identified on CT pulmonary angiogram as multiple filling defects in the pulmonary arteries; the next step is a V/Q scan.

Sarcoidosis Stage 1

The stage of sarcoidosis characterized by the enlargement of lymph nodes only, presenting as bilateral lobulated hilar opacification.

Hamartoma

A benign solitary pulmonary nodule characterized by popcorn calcification.

Empyema

Loculated fluid in the pleural cavity with pleural enhancement on CT; managed with IV antibiotics and drainage.

Pancoast tumor

Also called a superior sulcus tumor; an irregular opacification at the lung apex (squamous cell carcinoma) that invades adjacent ribs.

Tubular heart shadow

A vertical heart appearance common in emphysema due to lung hyperinflation.