Results Of Chest Radiography Research Articles

Chest Radiography after Minor Chest Trauma

The results of chest radiography in 581 patients with blunt minor thoracic trauma were reviewed. Frontal and lateral views of the chest indicated pathology in 72 patients (12.4%). Pneumothorax was present in 16 patients; 4 had hemothorax. The physical examination and the results of chest radiography were not in accordance because in 6 (30%) of the 20 patients with hemo/pneumothorax the physical examination was normal. Consequently there is wide indication for chest radiography after minor blunt chest trauma.

Hypercalcemia in head and neck carcinoma. Incidence and prognosis.

A retrospective review of all head and neck cancers seen between January 1, 1975, and September 1, 1981, at Harper-Grace Hospitals, Detroit, Michigan, was performed. Of 1438 patients with head and neck cancers, 41 (2.9%) had hypercalcemia (calcium greater than 11.0 mg%) during the course of their disease. The incidence of hypercalcemia by site was 13 of 351 (3.7%) larynx, 7/280 (2.5%) pharynx, 19/733 (2.6%) oral cavity (floor of mouth 4/171, tongue 9/209, tonsil 5/176, palate 1/95, other 0/82, 2/26 (7.7%) nasal cavity, and 0/48 salivary gland carcinomas. Chest radiograph results were positive for mass lesions in 17/35 (49%). Bone scans and/or x-ray results were positive in 15/31 (48%), negative in 16/31 (52%), and were not evaluated in 10 patients. Of five patients tested, all had inappropriately elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) for their serum calcium level. The hypercalcemia was medically treated in 29/41 (70%), with return-to-normal calcium levels in 17/29 (59%). Twelve patients (30%) received only terminal care. Survival from the diagnosis of hypercalcemia ranged from 1 to 514+ days (mean, 80+ days; median 33 days). It is concluded that hypercalcemia is unusual in head and neck carcinoma. Furthermore, hypercalcemia frequently is a late manifestation and terminal event. Finally, hypercalcemia in some patients may be mediated by PTH production.

Perfusion-ventilation scintiphotography in bullous disease of the lung.

Pulmonary perfusion and ventilation were studied preoperatively and postoperatively in 3 patients with bullous disease of the lung using xenon-133. Serial scintiphotographs obtained with a scintillation camera after the injection, rebreathing to equilibrium, and washout of xenon-133 were studied for the distribution of blood flow and ventilation. When combined with the results of standard pulmonary function testing and chest radiographs, xenon-133 lung images were found to be of significant value in studying the regional pulmonary function of patients being considered for surgical resection of bullae. the application of this technique in the detection of areas of lung, either normal or abnormal, not obviously involved by the bullous process, and in ascertaining the degree of communication of the bullae with the tracheobronchial tree, yielded information otherwise not available and virtually eliminated the need for differential bronchospirometry.

Control chest x-ray in patients with asymptomatic posttraumatic pneumothorax

Introduction: Chest trauma has a high incidence and pneumothorax is the most frequent finding. The literature is scarce on what to do with asymptomatic patients with pneumothorax due to penetrating chest trauma. The aim of this study was to evaluate what are the findings of the control radiography of patients with penetrating chest trauma who are not initially taken to surgery, and their usefulness in determining the need for further treatment. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed, including patients older than 15 years who were admitted for penetrating chest trauma between January 2015 and December 2017 and who did not require initial surgical management. We analyzed the results of chest radiography, the time of its acquisition, and the behavior decided according to the findings in patients initially left under observation. Results: A total of 1,554 patients were included, whose average age was 30 years, 92.5% were male and 97% had a sharp weapon wound. Of these, 186 (51.5%) had no alterations in their initial X-ray, 142 had pneumothorax less than 30% and 33 had pneumothorax greater than 30 %, hemopneumothorax or hemothorax. Closed thoracostomy was required as the final procedure in 78 cases, sternotomy or thoracotomy in 2 cases and discharged in 281. Conclusion: In asymptomatic patients with small or moderate pneumothorax and no other significant lesions, longer observation times, radiographs and closed thoracostomy may be unnecessary.

Neonatal respiratory difficulty.

SUMMARYThe results of chest radiography in newborn children suffering from respiratory difficulty are given. Forty‐five of 150 examinations were positive for some abnormality, the most common of which was hyaline membrane disease.The need for an adequate examination is stressed. Antero‐posterior and lateral films are essential.