Preliminary Diagnosis: Pulmonary Hypertension I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Chest X-ray, PA, and lateral. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing pulmonary hypertension. Advantages Cost-effective and quick. Can show the diameter of the right interlobar pulmonary artery, which is considered abnormal if it measures > 16 mm…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis Cervical plain radiography should be obtained first to rule out pertinent bone abnormalities, followed by Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without contrast performed with maneuvers (arm in neutral and elevated positions). II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Central line vascular access placement I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? AP and lateral chest radiograph. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for assessing the proper placement of central lines. Advantages Can demonstrate relatively accurately the position of the central line. Inexpensive.Continue Reading Can be performed quickly.…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Pulmonary Embolism (PE) I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) utilizing PE protocol. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing pulmonary embolism. Advantages Diagnostic for pulmonary embolisms of clinically significant size. Relatively quick imaging procedures.Continue Reading Requires minimal patient cooperation. Offers excellent anatomic…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis Computed tomographic angiography (CTA). A non-contrast CT may be necessary to differentiate thrombus calcification, a common finding in aortic aneurysms, from displaced calcified intima associated with aortic dissection. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of thoracic…
