In this session, you will look at imaging for four patients with shortness of breath as a group, and focus on what findings you SEE and how you would DESCRIBE them, in terms of histology and anatomy of the lungs. You have learned some terms for lung imaging findings in the self-directed module, and should try to apply these terms to the images you are given. Do not worry too much about coming up with a SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS, but if you have an idea of what diagnosis seems likely, you can indicate this. The FIRST STEP in analysis of a clinical image is not to jump to a specific diagnosis, but to be thorough in looking at all parts of the image, describing what you see precisely. The better your search and deacription is, the better you will be able to reach a reasonable diagnosis.
Learning Objectives for In-Class Discussion 1, PISCES Pulmonary Imaging:
- Apply knowledge of the imaging appearance of lung airspaces, vessels, bronchi and interstitium to discriminate normal from abnormal cases on radiography and CT.
- Use the frontal and lateral radiograph to distinguish normal from abnormal lung volumes and correlate changes in lung volumes with expected findings on pulmonary function testing.
- List five things that can cause thickening of the interstitium or air bronchograms on imaging studies.
- Describe the portions of the lungs or pleura that are abnormal on imaging in five common causes of shortness of breath.
