Figure 0009: Same patient as in Figure 8; changes develop rapidly initially as mild opacification at the right lung base followed by lung parenchymal infiltrate associated with a small pleural effusion

Mentions: Figures 8, 9 and 10 show a series of chest x-rays and CT scans over a period of 18 hours of a patient following blunt thoracic trauma. The initial chest x-ray [Figure 8] appears normal

Khan AN, Al-Jahdali H, Al-Ghanem S, Gouda A - Ann Thorac Med (2009)

Bottom Line: This is part II of two series review of reading chest radiographs in the critically ill.Conventional chest radiography remains the cornerstone of day to day management of the critically ill occasionally supplemented by computed tomography or ultrasound for specific indications.In this second review we discuss radiographic findings of cardiopulmonary disorders common in the intensive care patient and suggest guidelines for interpretation based not only on imaging but also on the pathophysiology and clinical grounds.

Affiliation: King Fahad Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. drkhan1966@msn.com

Abstract: This is part II of two series review of reading chest radiographs in the critically ill. Conventional chest radiography remains the cornerstone of day to day management of the critically ill occasionally supplemented by computed tomography or ultrasound for specific indications. In this second review we discuss radiographic findings of cardiopulmonary disorders common in the intensive care patient and suggest guidelines for interpretation based not only on imaging but also on the pathophysiology and clinical grounds.