Thoracic surgical radiology

Hyland, Rachel; Moss, Hilary

doi:10.1016/j.mpaic.2008.08.007

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Volume 9, Issue 11 , Pages 478-482, November 2008

Thoracic surgical radiology

Rachel Hyland, MBChB, FRCR, is a Specialist Registrar in Radiology on the Leeds Training Scheme. She qualified from Sheffield in 1999, and has been working in the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust since 2002, with a specialist interest in cross-sectional imaging. Competing interests: none declared

Hilary Moss, MRCP, FRCR, is a Consultant Radiologist in Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust. She trained in radiology in Addenbrooke's and Papworth Hospitals, Cambridge, before becoming a Consultant in the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust from 1999 to 2005. Her specialist interests are thoracic and oncological imaging. Competing interests: none declared

Abstract

Chest radiographs of patients in the intensive care or postoperative setting can be difficult to interpret. Postoperative complications may be life-threatening and require prompt management. Knowledge of the diverse radiological appearances of these complications as well as familiarity with the clinical settings in which specific complications are likely to occur is vital for prompt, effective treatment. Following pulmonary resection, patients often have postoperative complications that differ according to the type of surgery and the time elapsed since surgery was performed. This article describes the potential complications and gives illustrated explanations of normal postoperative appearances, for example following pneumonectomy, as well as demonstrating important complications such as bronchopleural fistula. The article highlights the differences in the appearance of the chest radiograph of atelectasis and consolidation, with illustrated examples.

Keywords: atelectasis, chest radiograph, complications of thoracic surgery, consolidation, pneumonectomy, postoperative appearance