Chest diagnostic imaging

203 topics with concise reviews: definitions, key facts, and classroom questions.

This section focuses on thoracic imaging, the fundamental and most extensive discipline in a radiologist's practice. It gathers visualization algorithms and patterns: from conventional radiography to high-resolution CT (HRCT), cardiac MRI, and pleural ultrasound.

The material is divided into three key blocks. The first is radiation anatomy: the bronchial tree, lung segments, heart valves, and coronary arteries. The second is pulmonary and mediastinal diseases: viral and bacterial pneumonias, interstitial lung diseases (UIP, NSIP), lung cancer and endobronchial metastases, as well as thymic pathologies and teratomas. The third block covers the cardiovascular system: congenital heart defects, cardiomyopathies, coronary artery disease, thoracic aortic dissection, and pulmonary embolism.

In classes, instructors most frequently demand the ability to clearly differentiate the "ground-glass opacity" sign, name the radiological features of lobar atelectasis (especially of the upper lobes), and understand the principles of lung cancer screening. The articles in this section break down these topics without fluff so you can confidently interpret scans and justify your conclusions.

Section Topics

Chest radiographyChest radiography is a basic and most frequently performed m High-resolution computed tomography of the lungsHigh-resolution computed tomography of the lungs (HRCT) is a method of rad Computed tomography of the chestChest computed tomography is the leading imaging modality Ultrasound of the pleural cavity and lungsUltrasound examination of the pleural cavity and lungs is a mobil Radiological staging of the mediastinumMediastinum Thymus MRIThymus Lung scintigraphyLung scintigraphy is a group of radionuclide imaging methods, PET/MRI of the chestChest PET/MRI is a modern hybrid imaging technique,General anatomy of the lungsPulmones Interlobar fissures of the lungsFissurae interlobares Bronchial tree and pulmonary segmentsArbor bronchialis Pulmonary angiographyAngiographia pulmonalis X-ray anatomy of the lung rootsRadix pulmonis Radiological anatomy of the mediastinumMediastinum Mediastinal lymph nodesNodi lymphatici mediastinales Mediastinal borders and structuresRadiation anatomy of the mediastinum is based on the evaluation of junctional lines — z Diaphragmatic excursionDiaphragma Lung segments on X-ray and CTBronchopulmonary segments are structural units of the lung that form Chest X-ray segmentsOn conventional chest radiographs, the projections of pulmonary segments Lung segments on X-rayOn standard chest radiographs, the projections of bronchopulmonary Radiological presentation of bronchitisAlthough uncomplicated bronchial inflammation may yield a sparse presentation, chron Aorta on chest X-rayOn a plain chest radiograph, the aorta forms an important Subcutaneous emphysemaEmphysema subcutaneum Imaging of the chest wallThe chest wall includes a complex bony framework and a mass of soft Soft tissue tumors of the chest wallSoft tissue tumors of the chest wall are a heterogeneous group of benign Fibrous dysplasia of the ribDysplasia fibrosa Pleural effusionHydrothorax ChylothoraxChylothorax PneumothoraxPneumothorax Pleural ultrasoundUltrasound examination of the pleura is an imaging method that helps assess Re-expansion pulmonary edemaRe-expansion pulmonary edema is a rare complication that develops Pleural tumorsMesothelioma pleurae Pleural plaquesPleural plaques are specific changes associated with ex Pleural punctureThoracocentesis Imaging of the diaphragmOn radiographs, the diaphragm is visible due to the contrast with air-filled Diaphragmatic eventrationEventratio diaphragmatis Bochdalek herniaHernia diaphragmatica Diaphragmatic ruptureRuptura diaphragmatis Diaphragmatic tumorsDiaphragmatic tumors are a rather rare group of neoplasms that PleurisyPathological fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity is a frequent companion Mediastinal massesMediastinum Goiter and parathyroid adenomasGlandula thyreoidea Thymus pathologiesThymus Mediastinal cystic teratomaTeratoma Mediastinal lymphadenopathyNodi lymphatici mediastinales Bronchogenic cystA bronchogenic cyst is a congenital mass lesion arising Neurogenic mediastinal tumorsNeurogenic mediastinal neoplasms are a diverse group of patholo Extramedullary hematopoiesisExtramedullary hematopoiesis is the process of blood cell formation outside Mediastinal lymphangiomaLymphangioma Hiatal herniaHernia hiatalis Mediastinal abscessA mediastinal abscess is a dangerous infectious lesion representing PneumomediastinumPneumomediastinum Pericardial disordersPericardium Computed tomography of the chest cavityComputed tomography is the primary method for evaluating mediastinal structures Pleural effusion on CTComputed tomography has the highest possible sensitivity Imaging of pneumoniaPneumonia Bacterial pneumoniasBacterial pneumonias are an extensive group of infectious pulmonary lesions Viral pneumoniasViral pneumonia is a severe inflammatory lesion of the respiratory Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndromeImmune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is a paradox Pulmonary tuberculosisTuberculosis Fungal pulmonary infectionsPneumocystis jirovecii Parasitic lung diseasesParasitic lung diseases are a group of pathologies caused by helminths Radiological anatomy and tracheal diseasesTrachea Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the tracheaCarcinoma adenocysticum tracheae Endobronchial metastasesEndobronchial metastases are secondary tumor lesions localized Relapsing polychondritisPolychondritis recidivans Tracheal involvement in Crohn's diseaseMorbus Crohn tracheae Tracheobronchomalacia and tracheobronchomegalyTracheobronchomalacia et tracheobronchomegalia Tracheoesophageal fistulaFistula tracheoesophagea BronchiectasisBronchiectasis Bronchiolitis obliteransBronchiolitis obliterans Air trapping on CTAir trapping refers to zones of pathological hypoventilation and retention Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysemaMorbus pulmonalis obstructivus chronicus Quantitative computed tomography of the lungsQuantitative lung CT is a method of automated tomographic analysis Imaging of bronchial asthmaAsthma bronchiale Radiological examination of the chestThoracic imaging is a basic tool for assessing Pulmonary emphysema on X-rayPulmonary emphysema is a pathological condition that on a radiograph Radiological signs of lobar atelectasisAtelectasis Atelectasis of the left upper lobeAtelectasis of the left upper lobe of the lung is a pathological collapse of the lu Computed tomography in pulmonary atelectasisComputed tomography is the leading imaging modality in atypical Atelectasis of the right upper lobeAtelectasis (collapse) is the collapse of lung tissue leading to the loss of Atelectasis of the lingular segmentsAtelectasis of the lingular segments is the collapse of an area of lung tissue in Atelectasis of the right middle lobeCollapse (atelectasis) of the right middle lobe of the lung is a pathological Atelectasis of the lower lobes of the lungsAtelectasis (collapse) of the lower lobes of the lungs is a pathological condition Differential diagnosis of atelectasis and pleural effusionThe main difference between massive pleural effusion and atelectasis lies in Cardiac radiographyChest radiography allows the evaluation of the shape, size,Pneumothorax radiological presentationPneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural cavity. The main and c Lung neoplasmsNeoplasmata pulmonum Lung cancer screeningLung cancer screening is a set of measures to detect malignant Pulmonary nodulesA pulmonary nodule is a focal opacity in the lung parenchyma. Today Lung adenocarcinomaAdenocarcinoma pulmonis Biopsy of lung neoplasmsBiopsy of lung neoplasms is a key diagnostic step necessary Lung cancer stagingLung cancer staging is based on the 8th edition of the international classifica Lung carcinoidA pulmonary carcinoid tumor is characterized by extremely variable radiologic Lung MRI in neoplasmsMagnetic resonance imaging is an important problem-solving tool Lung sarcomaSarcoma pulmonis Solitary pulmonary lesionA solitary pulmonary lesion is a single pathological focus in the l Lymphoproliferative lung diseasesMalignant lymphoproliferative lung diseases include primary Pulmonary metastasesMetastases pulmonales Lymphangitic carcinomatosisCarcinomatosis lymphangitica Contrast-enhanced chest CTContrast-enhanced computed tomography of the chest cavity with intravenous contras Solid nodule on CTA solid nodule is an area of localized tissue opacification that completely HRCT in interstitial lung diseasesHigh-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is the gold standard Usual interstitial pneumoniaPneumonia interstitialis usualis Nonspecific interstitial pneumoniaPneumonia interstitialis non-specifica Smoking-related interstitial lung diseasesSmoking-related interstitial lung diseases (SR-IL Acute interstitial pneumoniaPneumonia interstitialis acuta Pulmonary sarcoidosisSarcoidosis Hypersensitivity pneumonitisPneumonitis hypersensitiva LymphangioleiomyomatosisLymphangioleiomyomatosis Pulmonary involvement in rheumatoid arthritisRespiratory system pathology is one of the most significant extraarticular Pulmonary involvement in systemic vasculitisSystemic vasculitides develop due to immune complex deposition in the Diffuse alveolar damageDiffuse alveolar damage is a severe pattern of lung injury Organizing pneumoniaOrganizing pneumonia is a nonspecific reaction of lung tissue Occupational lung diseases and asbestosisAsbestosis Ground-glass opacity on chest CTGround-glass opacity on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) reflects patho Pulmonary fibrosis on CTPulmonary fibrosis on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) pre PneumoniaPneumonia encompasses inflammatory processes in the lungs with various radiologic Pulmonary sarcoidosis X-ray findingsPulmonary sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unk Airspace diseasesAirspace diseases is a collective term describing Pulmonary edemaOedema pulmonum Ground-glass opacityGround-glass opacity is a radiologic pattern on computed tomography Diffuse alveolar hemorrhageDiffuse alveolar hemorrhage is a life-threatening condition with various Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosisHaemosiderosis pulmonum idiopathica Granulomatosis with polyangiitisGranulomatosis with polyangiitis is a pathology whose imaging appearance is char Chronic eosinophilic pneumoniaChronic eosinophilic pneumonia is a pulmonary disease manifesting as Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasisMicrolithiasis alveolaris pulmonum Lung opacification syndrome on X-rayLung opacification syndrome unites conditions in which air spaces Radiographic tissue densityRadiographic density assessment is a basic tool of diagnostic imaging X-ray anatomy of the heart and chestTo visualize the cardiovascular system, radiography is traditionally used Cardiac MRI anatomyMagnetic resonance imaging allows for in vivo and high-precision Radiological anatomy of the coronary arteriesArteriae coronariae Radiological anatomy of the heart valvesValvae cordis Radiological anatomy of the pulmonary veinsVenae pulmonales EchocardiographyEchocardiography is a basic ultrasound diagnostic method that allows Left ventricular echocardiographyLeft ventricular (LV) echocardiography is the primary ultrasound method Congenital heart diseaseVitium cordis congenitum Atrial septal defectDefectus septi interatrialis Ventricular septal defectDefectus septi interventricularis Coarctation of the aortaCoarctatio aortae Aortic regurgitationInsufficientia valvulae aortae Coronary artery anomaliesCoronary artery anomalies are congenital disorders of vascular anatomy Tetralogy of FallotTetralogia Fallot Transposition of the great arteriesTransposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a congenital heart defect Pulmonary artery atresiaAtresia arteriae pulmonalis Anomalous pulmonary venous drainageAnomalous pulmonary venous drainage is a congenital heart defect in which Single ventricle heartCor univentriculare Echocardiography of the pulmonary arteryEchocardiography (EchoCG) is a basic non-invasive method for visualizing valve Radiologic signs of pulmonary pathologyThe radiologic pattern of lung fields is closely related to the state of Aortic valve on echocardiographyEchocardiography (EchoCG) serves as the primary and most commonly used method Complications and contraindications for MRIThe presence of medical devices or implants in a patient is a key Cardiac MRICardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a highly informative Classification of cardiomyopathiesCardiomyopathies represent a broad group of myocardial pathologies Hypertrophic cardiomyopathyHypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a myocardial disease in which Dilated cardiomyopathyDilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a myocardial pathology whose leading Diagnostic imaging of cardiomyopathiesModern diagnostic imaging plays a crucial role in verifying cardio Restrictive cardiomyopathyRestrictive cardiomyopathy is a pathology characterized by impaired Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasiaArrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited Unclassified cardiomyopathiesUnclassified cardiomyopathies are a specific group of disorders MyocarditisMyocarditis Mitral regurgitationMitral regurgitation (insufficiency) is a pathological condition Mitral stenosisMitral stenosis is the narrowing of the left atrioventricular orifice Tricuspid valve pathologyTricuspid valve pathology includes stenosis and regurgitation, requiring Prosthetic heart valvesProsthetic heart valves are artificial mechanical or bi Cardiac tumorsCardiac tumors are a group of rare primary and much more frequent secondary Cardiac myxomaCardiac myxoma is the most frequent benign neoplasm Cardiac lipomaInteratrial septum lipoma is a benign lesion Cardiac angiosarcomaCardiac angiosarcoma is an aggressive malignant neoplasm Radiation Anatomy of the PericardiumPericardium Pericardial diseasesPericardial diseases include a wide spectrum of pathologies, from rare con Pericardial effusionPericardial effusion is the pathological accumulation of fluid between the layers Constrictive pericarditisA chronic disease in which the visceral and parietal layers Echocardiography methodsEchocardiography (EchoCG) is a non-invasive, portable ultrasound Echocardiography of the heart wallsEchocardiography (EchoCG) is a basic imaging method allowing assessment Pulmonary circulationPulmonary circulation is the vascular system providing gas exchange Imaging of pulmonary edemaOn radiographs and CT scans, pulmonary edema manifests as fluid accumulation in Radiodiagnosis of pulmonary embolismDiagnostic imaging methods play a key role in the management of patients with Imaging of pulmonary hypertensionPulmonary hypertension is a hemodynamic state in which the mean MRI in heart valve regurgitationMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows for detailed visualization of Pulmonary hypertensionPulmonary hypertension is a pathological condition in which the mean Comprehensive diagnosis of pulmonary embolismAcute pulmonary embolism is one of the most frequent and fatal CT pulmonary angiography in pulmonary embolismCT pulmonary angiography is the primary imaging method when suspecting Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertensionChronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a complication Coronary Artery DiseaseMorbus ischemicus cordis CT coronary angiography and calcium scoreCT coronary angiography is a modern non-invasive method for visualizing Imaging evaluation of left ventricular functionImaging evaluation of left ventricular function is a basic instrumental Myocardial SPECTSingle-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a radionuclide Cardiac stress MRICardiac stress MRI is a high-precision non-invasive imaging method Diagnostic imaging of myocardial infarctionDiagnostic imaging of myocardial infarction aims at precise visualizatio Assessment of myocardial viabilityAssessment of myocardial viability is a key stage in the evaluation of pa Radiation Anatomy of the Thoracic AortaAorta thoracica Thoracic Aortic DissectionDissectio aortae Thoracic aortic injuryTraumatic injury of the thoracic aorta is a life-threatening condition,Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Acute Aortic SyndromeAneurysma aortae thoracicae Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic diseasesEndovascular treatment of thoracic aortic diseases is a minimally invasiv Diagnostic Imaging of Descending Aortic LesionsAorta descendens Takayasu Arteritis and Thoracic Aortic OcclusionMorbus Takayasu Congenital Anomalies of the Aortic ArchCoarctatio aortae CT of the abdominal aortaComputed tomography of the abdominal aorta is a diagnostic imaging metho Soft tissue radiographyModern diagnostic imaging of soft tissues and related structures Lymph node radiographyChest radiography is a primary, but often insuffi Diagnostic imaging in lateral projectionLateral projection is one of the standards of basic diagnostic im Diagnostic imaging of pulmonary tuberculosisDiagnostic imaging of pulmonary tuberculosis is based on radiography and

Frequently asked questions for this section

What is the main advantage of DR systems over film?

DR systems feature a wider dynamic range (exposure latitude), which minimizes the number of rejected images due to incorrect exposure, and allows instant transmission of high-quality images to the PACS electronic archive.

Why is prone chest CT performed?

This is necessary to differentiate early interstitial fibrosis from the gravitationally dependent increase in parenchymal density that normally occurs in the posterobasal segments in supine patients.

Why is it not recommended to reduce tube voltage to 80 kV during chest CT?

Such low tube voltage causes unacceptable beam-hardening artifacts even in patients with minimal body weight and in pediatric practice.

What is the "lung point" sign on ultrasound?

This is a specific ultrasound pattern (lung point) representing the visible boundary between normally sliding, partially collapsed lung and completely motionless air in the pleural space. This is a key sign of pneumothorax.

What is the advantage of gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images?

They surpass CT in detecting tumor invasion (e.g., pleural mesothelioma) into the diaphragm.

How are thymic masses most commonly discovered?

Most commonly, a lobulated soft tissue thymic mass is detected as an incidental finding during chest computed tomography (CT).

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