Features of Diagnosis for Specific PathologiesBronchiectasisA chronic airway disease characterized by irreversible dilation and deformation of the bronchi. It is associated with inflammation, infections, or other conditions that damage the bronchial walls and disrupt their normal structure. As a result, bronchi lose their elasticity and cannot effectively clear mucus, leading to mucus stagnation and chronic infections.
Lung AbscessRadiographic Appearance:On X-rays, a lung abscess appears as a round opacity with clear or indistinct borders, sometimes with an air-fluid level in the center. A cavity with fluid (pus) may be visible.
Features:The lesion may change shape depending on the disease stage and may shift depending on the patient's position.
- Unruptured Abscess: A round shadow with indistinct edges and moderate opacity.
- Ruptured Abscess: A ring-shaped shadow with a central cavity and horizontal fluid level, possibly showing contrast medium infiltration.
- Resolution: Gradual reduction in size and normalization of structure.
Echinococcal Cyst (Lung Cyst)Transmitted through the alimentary route (via dogs, sheep, cattle).
Phases:- Non-ruptured Cyst: An oval or round shadow, which changes shape during breathing, with a characteristic surrounding area of lucency.
- Ruptured Cyst: Air bubbles, a "double arch" sign, and the "floating lily" sign.
PneumoniaRadiographic Appearance:It presents as diffuse or localized opacities with blurred borders. Areas of inflammation in the lungs are visible, affecting one or more lobes.
Features:On X-rays, pneumonia often appears as extensive opacities, sometimes with a loss of the normal lung structure. During the acute phase, there is stiffness and a loss of the vascular pattern.
AtelectasisRadiographic Appearance:An extensive opacity is formed, often with a mediastinal shift toward the affected lung area. Deformation or narrowing of the bronchi may be visible.
Features:Reduced lung aeration in a specific area, often caused by bronchial obstruction (e.g., by a tumor or foreign body).
HydrothoraxRadiographic Appearance:Smooth contours of the opacity, confined to the lung base, with a characteristic gradual rise in the fluid level. Hydrothorax typically causes compression of lung tissue.
Features:The fluid level can be seen in the X-ray if the frontal projection is used.
Lung TumorsRadiographic Appearance:Lung tumors can appear as round or irregular masses with clear or indistinct edges. In some cases, the tumor may deform lung tissue or displace structures (e.g., mediastinum, diaphragm).
Features:Tumors vary in size and shape and may show characteristic calcifications. Small foci or ring-shaped shadows may appear in radiographic images.
CystsRadiographic Appearance:Lung cysts often appear as round or oval shadows with distinct borders and may contain liquid. A large cyst may cause displacement of nearby organs.
Features:Cysts typically have a uniform structure, with no vascular pattern visible on the X-ray.
TuberculosisRadiographic Appearance:X-ray images show foci of various sizes, often localized in the upper lobes of the lungs. Signs of inflammation and indistinct borders may be present.
Features:Round shadows or small foci (tuberculous infiltrates) may be visible. In the active stage of the disease, cavities, similar to those in abscesses, or fibrosis (scarring of lung tissue) may be seen.
Dissemination in Tuberculosis:- Limited Dissemination: Small foci with clear borders, usually in the upper lobes.
- Extensive Dissemination: Multiple small foci throughout the lung tissue, which may appear more blurred, with an expanded vascular pattern and signs of infiltration.
PneumothoraxRadiographic Appearance:A radiolucency (dark space) in the area of the lung where lung tissue is absent. The lung's outline will shift toward the opposite side of the pneumothorax.
Features:On X-ray, pneumothorax presents as an absence of lung tissue in a specific area with a clear boundary.
EmphysemaRadiographic Appearance:In emphysema, X-ray images show an enhanced lung pattern and an increase in lung fields. There may be increased transparency of the lungs due to alveolar destruction.
Features:X-ray images may show signs of enlarged air spaces.
Mnemonic "АБВГДЕЖЗИИТК":A —
Lung AbscessRound shadow with indistinct edges, ring-shaped shadow with a cavity and fluid level, contrast medium infiltration may be visible.
B —
BronchiectasisIrreversible bronchial dilation, loss of elasticity, mucus stagnation, and chronic infections.
V —
Ruptured Cyst (Echinococcal)Double arch sign, air bubbles, floating lily sign.
G —
HydrothoraxSmooth fluid level, compression of lung tissue.
D —
Dissemination in TuberculosisMultiple small foci with blurred borders, expanded vascular pattern, signs of infiltration.
E —
EmphysemaEnhanced lung transparency, increased air spaces.
Zh —
Benign Tumors (Lung Tumors)Round or irregular masses with clear or indistinct edges, lung tissue deformation, calcifications.
Z —
Malignant Tumors (Lung Tumors)Small foci, ring-shaped shadows, deformation of lung tissue structure.
I —
Infiltration (Pneumonia)Diffuse or localized opacity with blurred borders, loss of lung structure.
I —
Curvature (Atelectasis)Extensive opacity, mediastinal shift, bronchial narrowing or deformation.
T —
TuberculosisFoci of various sizes, often in upper lobes, signs of inflammation, fibrosis, and scarring of lung tissue.
K —
Lung CystRound or oval shadow with distinct borders, organ displacement with large cysts, absence of vascular pattern.