Cardiovascular system Thoracic radiography


Thoracic radiography: what do you need to know?

The thoracic radiography is a simple method that uses the conventional radiology to form an image of heart, lungs, and large vessels. It can show alterations in the heart size and form, pulmonary problems, as well as aneurysms of the thoracic aorta. It can be also used to evaluate the correct positioning of pacemakers and other cardiovascular prostheses.

The thoracic radiography
Figure 1. Thoracic Rx

Support notes

Aortic aneurysms: Dilation located on the wall of a blood vessel, which can occur in any artery in the body, but is more frequent in the aorta. The aortic aneurysm is a serious disease, as, depending on the size, it can be ruptured, causing internal hemorrhage.

Most aneurysms are found occasionally, by exams usually requested by another reason. The aneurysm correction after its rupture is not always effective.

When the aneurysm is large or is rapidly growing, the patient may feel:
– Pulsation feeling in the abdomen;
– Pain in thorax or abdomen (depending on the location);
– Pain on the back.

Large aneurysms can also cause compression symptoms.

In the exam, the physician can palpate the abdominal aneurysm, but small and medium aneurysms are hard to be palpated, mainly if the patient is obese. Every patient with aneurysm and one of these signs must contact his/her physician soon.

Click here to go to the page of Aortic Aneurysms and to know more about this subject.

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