CXR Case 142
75 year old female admitted for investigation of weight loss and dysphagia.
CXR requested after patient developed a worsening cough following an investigative procedure.
Describe and interpret this CXR – what investigation has been performed?
CHEST X-RAY INTERPRETATION
CXR Interpretation:
There is barium within both lower lobes, worse on the right. Some barium has reached the gastrointestinal tract. There is an NG tube in situ and a left renal / ureteric stent.
Video fluoroscopy Interpretation:
Video fluoroscopy demonstrates free flow of contrast into the trachea.
CLINICAL CORRELATION
This barium bronchogram is unlikely to harm the patient or lung parenchyma, no specific treatment is required
CLINICAL PEARLS
This chest X-ray appearance is is unlikely to resolve.
Bronchography used to be widely performed before computed tomography and involved (deliberately) passing radiological contrast into the airways – very useful for delineating structural abnormalities such as bronchiectasis.
TOP 150 CXR SERIES
Prof Fraser Brims Curtin Medical School, acute and respiratory medicine specialist, immediate care in sport doc, ex-Royal Navy, academic| Top 100 CXR | Google Scholar | ICIS Course ANZ