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X-Rays. Kunal D Patel Research Fellow IMM. The 12-Steps. }. 1 : Name 2 : Date 3 : Old films 4 : What type of view(s) 5 : Penetration 6 : Inspiration 7 : Rotation 8 : Angulation 9 : Soft tissues / bony structures 10 : Mediastinum 11 : Diaphragms 12 : Lung Fields.
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X-Rays Kunal D Patel Research Fellow IMM
The 12-Steps } • 1: Name • 2: Date • 3: Old films • 4: What type of view(s) • 5: Penetration • 6: Inspiration • 7: Rotation • 8: Angulation • 9: Soft tissues / bony structures • 10: Mediastinum • 11: Diaphragms • 12: Lung Fields Pre-read } Quality Control } Findings
Densities The big two densities are: (1) WHITE - Bone (2) BLACK - Air The others are: (3) DARK GREY- Fat (4) GREY- Soft tissue/water And if anything Man-made is on the film, it is: (5) BRIGHT WHITE - Man-made
Technique/ Orientation • First determine is the film a PA or AP view. • PA- the x-rays penetrate through the back of the patient on to the film • AP-the x-rays penetrate through the front of the patient on to the film. (heart larger) • All x-rays in the PICU are portable and are AP view
Quality • Inspiration and penetration! • Was film taken under full inspiration? • Should be able to count 9-10 posterior ribs • Heart shadow should not be hidden by the diaphragm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Under penetration? • if under penetrated you will not be able to see the thoracic vertebrae.
Angulation • Clavicle should lay over 3rd rib 1 2 3
Sometimes handy to use PIER • Position: Typically, upright PA and lateral. Sick patients will have the fuzzier supine AP (because the film is slid under their chest as they are lying down). • Inspiration: Count the visible ribs. Lung fields should extend to about the 10th or 11th rib. • Exposure: If the film is penetrated enough, you should be able to make out the spinous processes "inside" the vertebrae. If the film is underexposed/too white, you won't be able to see them. If the film is overexposed/too black, bony details will be lost. • Rotation: Evaluate the clavicals. They should appear symmetric and equal in length. Now systematically work through the x-ray.
Findings! • Start with soft tissues and bony structures • Check for • Symmetry • Deformities • Fractures • Masses • Calcifications • Lytic lesions
Remember your lung anatomy! The right upper lobe (RUL) occupies the upper 1/3 of the right lung. Posteriorly, the RUL is adjacent to the first three to five ribs. Anteriorly, the RUL extends inferiorly as far as the 4th right anterior rib
The right middle lobe is typically the smallest of the three, and appears triangular in shape, being narrowest near the hilum
The right lower lobe is the largest of all three lobes, separated from the others by the major fissure. Posteriorly, the RLL extend as far superiorly as the 6th thoracic vertebral body, and extends inferiorly to the diaphragm. Review of the lateral plain film surprisingly shows the superior extent of the RLL.
The Heart, mediastinum and hilum • Size • Shape • Silhouette-margins should be sharp • Evidence of stents, clips, wires and valves • Diameter (>1/2 thoracic diameter is enlarged heart) • Hilum: Size and shape of aorta, any enlarged vessels? Remember: AP views make heart appear larger than it actually is.
R Atrium • R Ventricle • 3. Apex of L Ventricle • Superior Vena Cava • Inferior Vena Cava • 6. Tricuspid Valve • Pulmonary Valve • Pulmonary Trunk • 9. R PA 10. L PA
Lung Fields • Apices • Top to bottom: lobes, fissures etc • Diaphragm: right should be higher than left • Bottom: Costophrenic angles • Gastric bubble?
Lung Fields: Using Structures / Silhouettes Upper right heart border / ascending aorta (anterior RUL) Aortic knob (Apical portion of LUL ) Upper left heart border (anterior LUL) Right heart border (medial RML) Left heart border (lingula; anterior) Anterior hemidiaphragms (anterior lower lobes)
Reviewing these areas Heart • Size • Shape • Silhouette-margins should be sharp • Evidence of stents, clips, wires and valves • Diameter (>1/2 thoracic diameter is enlarged heart) • Mediastinum • Width? • Contour? • Lung fields • Apices • Lobes and fissures • USE SILHOUETTES • CP angles • Diaphragm • Gastric bubble • NOTE normal pleura are NOT visible
The 12-Steps } • 1: Name • 2: Date • 3: Old films • 4: What type of view(s) • 5: Penetration • 6: Inspiration • 7: Rotation • 8: Angulation • 9: Soft tissues / bony structures • 10: Mediastinum • 11: Diaphragms • 12: Lung Fields Pre-read } Quality Control } Findings
Summarise as well! "The trachea is central, the mediastinum is not displaced. The mediastinal contours and hila seem normal. The lungs seem clear, with no pneumothorax. There is no free air under the diaphragm. The bones and soft tissues seem normal."
Next • Pathological findings and examples!