CT of the thorax

Author: Mikael Häggström

Normal anatomy

High-resolution computed tomographs of a normal thorax, taken in the axial, coronal and sagittal planes, respectively.

Regions

• 

  CT of the heart

Angiography

CT angiography of the thorax is a contrast CT exam, tailored to the proper contrast phase depending on the level of the suspected condition by the referring clinician:

• Veins from contrast infusion

• CT of superior vena cava syndrome

• Pulmonary veins

• CT of pulmonary embolism

Basic screening

• Lung parenchyma: Scan for opacities, preferably at a maximum intensity projection of about 8 mm in order to detect any lung nodules (if found, see CT of lung nodules).
• Pleura, for any fluid in the dorsal parts
• Skeleton: Any signs of damage.
• Lymph nodes in mediastinal, hilar and axial areas. If possibly enlarged, see CT of thoracic lymphadenopathy
• Visible abdominal volumes for any expansions or focal changes in the liver, adrenals or spleen.

Report

Even absence of:

• Opacities in the lung parenchyma.
• Pleural fluid.

See also: General notes on reporting

Diseases

Lungs

• CT of lung nodules

Vascular

• CT of pulmonary embolism
• CT of superior vena cava syndrome

Lymph nodes

• CT of thoracic lymphadenopathy

Pulmonary hypertension

The presence of a dilated main pulmonary artery of 29 mm or more in combination with an artery–to-bronchus diameter ratio of 1:1 or more at segmental level in three or four lobes, confers a specificity of 100% for the presence of pulmonary hypertension.