Left atrial dimension on the frontal thoracic radiograph: a method for assessing left atrial enlargement

Post partum dyspnoea: look beyond the lungs

The aetiology of acute-onset dyspnoea in the post partum period is diverse. However, subtle clinical and radiological findings assist in early diagnosis and definitive management, thereby conferring better prognosis and survival. https://bit.ly/361b4qm.

Morphology and morphometry of pulmonary veins and the left atrium in multi-slice computed tomography

Purpose

Pulmonary veins are involved in pathogenesis and treatment of atrial fibrillation and structures at risk during thoracic surgeries. There is lack of data regarding pulmonary vein morphology and morphometry in normal population.

Methods

The study was conducted using 135 chest computed tomography studies with intra-venous iodine contrast injection. The study population contained 86 females and 49 males, mean age was 60. 13 had atrial fibrillation.
The studies were analyzed using radiological workstation.

Results

Mean dimensions of the left atrium: transverse 52 mm, coronal 49 mm, and sagittal 35 mm. The mean volume of the left atrium was 93 cm³. The mean volume of the left atrium in patients with atrial fibrillation was 176 cm³. The sagittal dimension and the volume of the left atrium were correlated with age, r = 0.43 and r = 0.42, respectively. Surface area of the left inferior pulmonary vein ostium was 136 mm², significantly less than the surface area of other ostia of pulmonary veins. The mean distance between two pulmonary veins was 5.42 mm on the right and 4.02 mm on the left side. 13 types of pulmonary veins outflow patterns were described on the right side and 5 types on the left side. 66.7% of right pulmonary veins and 82% of the left pulmonary veins emptied into the left atrium with two venous trunks on each side (the typical pattern).

Conclusions

Morphological features of pulmonary veins and morphometry of the left atrium and pulmonary veins are important for clinical purposes and are in accordance with previous papers.

Back to Basics - 'Must Know' Classical Signs in Thoracic Radiology

There are a few signs in radiology which are based on many common objects or patterns that we come across in our routine lives. The objective behind the association between such common objects and the corresponding pathologies is to make the reader understand and remember the disease process. These signs do not necessarily indicate a particular disease, but are usually suggestive of a group of similar pathologies which will facilitate in the narrowing down of the differential diagnosis. These signs can be seen in different imaging modalities like plain radiograph and computed tomography. In this essay, we describe 24 classical radiological signs used in chest imaging, which would be extremely helpful in routine clinical practice not only for radiologists but also for chest physicians and cardiothoracic surgeons.

Radiologic signs in thoracic imaging: case-based review and self-assessment module

OBJECTIVE

Chest imaging remains one of the most complicated sub-specialties of diagnostic radiology. The successful interpretation of thoracic imaging studies requires the recognition and understanding of the radiologic signs that are characteristic of many complex disease processes.

CONCLUSION

The educational objectives for this case-based self-assessment module are for the participant to exercise, self-assess, and improve his or her understanding of important thoracic radiologic signs that are useful in establishing the diagnosis of particular diseases of the chest.

Signs in Thoracic Imaging

Radiologic signs are recognizable, characteristic patterns used to describe abnormalities visualized on imaging modalities that ultimately aid in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of disease. This pictorial essay discusses 23 classic roentgenographic signs used in thoracic imaging. Its purpose is to be used as an educational review for residents, whether they are beginning their training or preparing for certification exams, and serve as a refresher and a reference to the practicing radiologist.