The document discusses various radiological signs seen in thoracic diseases. It describes signs such as the silhouette sign, air bronchogram sign, signet ring sign, popcorn calcification, tram-track sign, tree-in-bud sign, CT angiogram sign, finger-in-glove sign, halo sign, reverse halo sign, coin lesion, miliary shadowing, Monod's sign, fallen lung sign, bulging fissure sign, flat waist sign, Golden S sign, bat wing appearance, ground glass pattern, crazy paving sign, mosaic pattern, sandstorm appearance, and honeycomb lung. Each sign is accompanied by an illustration and description of associated diseases.
2. SILHOUETTE SIGN
This classic roentgenographic sign first described by
Felson in 1950 states that âan intrathoracic lesion
touching a border of the heart, aorta, or diaphragm will
obliterate that border on the roentgenogram
An intra-thoracic lesion not anatomically contiguous with
a border or a normal structure will not obliterate that
border
Reliable sign distinguishing anterior lung lesions from
posterior or lower lesions
When two objects of the same density touch each other
the edge between them disappears
5. Silhouette sign, right
middle lobe
pneumonia. Initial
frontal (A) and lateral
(B) radiographs in a
patient with clinical
suspicion of pneumonia
demonstrate
obliteration of the right
heart border. Follow-up
radiographs the next
day (C, D) illustrate
dense opacification on
the lateral view and
persisting loss of the
right heart border,
confirming the
presence of a right
middle lobe
pneumococcal
pneumonia.
6. AIR BRONCHOGRAM SIGN
It occurs in infiltration or edema in tissues
adjacent to patent bronchi
Seen on chest radiographs or CT
Associated with air-space disease
It implies: patency of proximal airways,
evacuation of alveolar air by absorption
(atelectasis), replacement (pneumonia) or
both, consolidation, tumor, lymphoma.
7. AIR BRONCHOGRAM SIGN. Chest CT and chest radiograph demonstrate air
bronchograms in patients with right upper lobe pneumonia. Schematic drawings.
8. AIR BRONCHOGRAM SIGN. Chest CT and chest radiograph demonstrate
air bronchograms in patients with left upper lobe pneumonia.
9. SIGNET RING SIGN
Seen on CT/HRCT scans of chest
CT finding in patients with bronchiectasis
Ring shadow representing dilated thick-walled bronchus
associated with a nodular opacity representing pulmonary artery
SIGNET RING SIGN. Chest CT shows small bronchiectasis.
11. POPCORN CALCIFICATION
A cluster of sharply defined, irregularly lobulated, calcifications,
usually in a pulmonary nodule.
Popcorn calcifications within a well-circumscribed pulmonary nodule
are highly suggestive of pulmonary chondroid hamartoma.
POPCORN CALCIFICATION. Chest radiograph demonstrates nodule with
"popcorn calcification" in the right lower lobe representing hamartoma.
12. TRAM-TRACK SIGN
Parallel line opacities (tram tracks) caused by thickened
dilated bronchi
Seen on chest CT
Bronchiectasis- defined as localized irreversible dilatation of
part of the bronchial tree
Causes:
- infection
- bronchial obstruction (endobronchial tumors, encroachment
of hilar lymph nodes, foreign body aspiration)
- cystic fibrosis
- primary ciliary dyskinesia
- immunodeficiency states
- congenital anatomic defects (pulmonary sequestration,
Mounier-Kuhn syndrome)
14. TREE-IN-BUD SIGN
Commonly seen at thin-section CT
This sign appears as small, peripheral, centrilobular soft tissue nodules
connected to multiple contiguous, linear branching opacities.
This radiologic term represents the mucous plugging, bronchial dilatation, and
wall thickening of bronchiolitis
The histopathological correlate demonstrates small airway plugging with mucus,
pus, or fluid, with dilated bronchioles, peribronchiolar inflammation, and wall
thickening
Initially described in endobronchial spread of tuberculosis
Recognized in diverse entities
Causes:
- infection (bacterial, fungal, viral)
- congenital disorders (cystic fibrosis, Kartagener syndrome)
- idiopathic disorders (obliterative bronchiolitis)
- aspiration
- inhalation (toxic fumes and gases)
- immunologic disorders
- connective tissue disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren)
- neoplasms (gastric, breast and renal cancer, Ewing sarcoma)
16. CT ANGIOGRAM SIGN
Finding may be seen on CT of chest after IV contrast material
administration.
Consists of enhancing branching pulmonary vessels in
homogeneous low-attenuating consolidation.
Low-attenuating component can be caused by production of
mucin within air spaces
Initially described in 1990 by Im et al as a specific sign (92%)
of lobar bronchoalveolar carcinoma
Also seen in:
- pneumonia
- pulmonary edema
- obstructive pneumonitis central tumor
- metastasis from GI carcinomas
- lymphoma
19. FINGER-IN-GLOVE SIGN
Visible on chest radiographs or CT
Indicates mucoid impaction within an obstructed bronchus
Characterized by branching tubular or fingerlike opacities
Originate from the hilum and are directed peripherally
Also seen in cases of dilated bronchi with secretions
Visualization of the gloved fingers is made possible by collateral air drift
through the interalveolar pores of Kohn and canals of Lambert aerating lung
distal to the point of mucoid impaction (distal lung remains aerated)
There are two broad etiologic categories: non-obstructive and obstructive
Non-obstructive:
- allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)
- asthma
- cystic fibrosis (secondary to mucociliary dysfunction and thick mucous
secretions)
Obstructive:
- neoplasms (bronchial hamartomas, lipomas, bronchogenic carcinoma,
carcinoid).
- congenital (bronchial atresia, intralobar sequestration, bronchogenic cysts).
22. HALO SIGN
Ground glass attenuation surrounding a pulmonary nodule/mass on
CT images
Described by Kuhlman in 1985 in patients with invasive aspergillosis
In febrile neutropenic patients, the sign suggests angioinvasive fungal
infection, (which is associated with a high mortality rate in the
immunocompromised host) the zone of attenuation represents
alveolar hemorrhage whereas the nodules represent areas of infarction
and necrosis caused by thrombosis of small to medium sized vessels
Associated with hemorrhagic nodules and may be caused by
neoplasms or inflammatory conditions
Familiarity with adequate clinical setting helps to narrow differentials:
- multiple nodules in immunocompromised patients could be
infections, Kaposi or lymphoma
- leukemia and fever may represent invasive aspergillosis
- immunocompetent patients with a solitary nodule may indicate
bronchioloalveolar carcinoma
23. HALO SIGN. Chest CT shows halo sign in a patient with schistosomiasis.
24. REVERSE HALO SIGN
Central ground-glass opacity surrounded by denser
consolidation of crescentic or ring shape, at least 2 mm thick
First described by Voloudaki in 1996
Kim in 2003 used the term reverse halo
Found to be relatively specific for cryptogenic organizing
pneumonia (COP)
Seen in other conditions:
- Wegenerâs and lymphomatoid granulomatosis
- paracoccidiodomycosis
- neoplastic (metastasis)
- invasive aspergillosis
- lipoid pneumonia
- schistosomiasis
25. REVERSE HALO SIGN. Chest CT demonstrates reverse
halo images in a patient with schistosomiasis.
27. COIN LESION
The term coin lesion was defined by Thornton et al in 1944 as a
solitary lesion, 1 to 5 cm in size, round or oval with well
defined margins
Solitary, round, circumscribed shadows found in the lungs in x-
ray or CT examinations
Smaller than 3 centimeters in diameter
Common causes:
- tuberculosis
- coccidioidomycosis
- histoplasmosis
- neoplasms (primary bronchogenic carcinoma, metastatic
tumors, bronchial adenomas etc)
- cysts
- vascular anomalies
28. COIN LESION. Chest CT shows a nodule in the left lower lobe.
Metastasis. Schematic drawing and illustrative picture.
29. MILIARY SHADOWING
The term miliary derives from the radiographic picture of
diffuse, discrete nodular shadows about the size of a millet seed
Innumerable, small (1-4mm) pulmonary nodules are seen
scattered throughout the lungs
It can be seen in:
- tuberculosis
- histoplasmosis
- sarcoidosis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- pneumoconiosis
- COPD
- pulmonary siderosis
- bronchoalveolar carcinoma
- metastasis (thyroid, kidney, trophoblast and some sarcomas)
31. MONODâS SIGN
Air surrounding fungus ball or mycetoma in
preexisting air cavity (old tuberculosis,
histoplasmosis, sarcoidosis, neoplasm)
It should not be confused with the air crescent
sign which is seen in recovering angioinvasive
aspergillosis and heralds improvement in the
condition
The air around the mycetoma is often crescent
shaped and hence, the term air crescent sign is
often used interchangeably by many to refer to
both pathological processes.
35. FALLEN LUNG SIGN
This sign refers to the appearance of the
collapsed lung occurring with a fractured
bronchus
It refers to the collapsed lung in a dependent
position, hanging on the hilum only by its
vascular attachments and was first described by
Oh et al in 1969 and by Kumpe et al in 1970
The bronchial fracture results in the lung to fall
away from the hilum, either inferiorly and
laterally in an upright patient or posteriorly, as
seen on CT in a supine patient.
38. BULGING FISSURE SIGN
The bulging fissure sign refers to lobar consolidation causing
lobar expansion and bulging of the adjacent fissure inferiorly
Historically Klebsiella pneumoniae involving the RUP-
Friedlander pneumonia
Although previously reported in up to 30% of patients with
Klebsiella pneumonia, the finding is identified less commonly
today, most likely due to rapid prophylactic implementation of
antibiotics.
The most common infective causative agents are:
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Staphylococcus aureus
It may also be seen with bronchoalveolar carcinoma and
tuberculosis
40. FLAT WAIST SIGN
Indicates left lower lobe collapse
Visualized on frontal views
Hilar structures shift downward and rotation of heart
produces flattening of cardiac waist
FLAT WAIST SIGN. Chest radiograph and schematic drawing.
41. GOLDEN S SIGN
Described by Ross Golden in 1925
Resembles a reverse S shape
It can be seen on PA/lateral views and CT
This sign is typically seen with right upper
lobe collapse
The medial portion of minor fissure is convex
inferiorly due to a central mass and the lateral
portion of the fissure is concave inferiorly
It can be observed in cases of bronchial
carcinoma, primary mediastinal tumor,
metastasis and enlarged lymph nodes
42. GOLDEN S SIGN. Chest radiograph and CT images
demonstrate this sign. Bronchial carcinoma.
44. BAT WING APPEARANCE
Bat's wing or butterfly pulmonary opacities refer to a
pattern of bilateral perihilar shadowing
It is classically described on a frontal chest radiograph
but can also refer to appearances on chest CT
Causes:
- pulmonary edema (especially cardiogenic)
- pneumonia (aspiration pneumonia, PCP, viral, lipoid)
- inhalation injury (noxious gas, liquid)
- pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
- pulmonary hemorrhage (e.g. Goodpasture syndrome)
- lymphoma
- leukemia
- bronchoalveolar carcinoma
45. BAT WING APPEARANCE. Chest radiograph, schematic drawing and corresponding picture.
46. GROUND GLASS PATTERN
Ground glass opacity is a hazy, increased attenuation of lung with
preservation of bronchial and vascular margins.
It is a nonspecific radiologic finding
It is caused by partial filling of air spaces, interstitial thickening,
partial collapse of alveoli, normal expiration, or increased
capillary blood volume
It can be seen with alveolar wall inflammation or thickening, with
partial air-space filling, or with some combination of the two
Common causes:
- pulmonary edema
- adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- viral, mycoplasmal, and pneumocystis pneumonias
hypersensitivity pneumonia
- pulmonary hemorrhage
- other diffuse interstitial lung diseases
51. MOSAIC PATTERN
Patchy ground glass opacities, resulting in a mosaic
pattern of lung attenuation
Such a pattern can be seen in infiltrative lung disease,
airway abnormalities (e.g., asthma, bronchiolitis
obliterans), and chronic pulmonary vascular disease
(e.g., chronic thromboembolic disease)
The distinction between these three entities can be
made by observing the size of the pulmonary vessels
in the area of increased lung attenuation (increased in
both airway disease and vascular disease, but not in
infiltrative disease), and by examining air trapping on
expiratory scans (indicating airway disease)
53. SANDSTORM APPEARANCE
Seen on CT or chest X-ray
The appearance is given by the presence of diffuse,
scattered, bilateral areas of micronodular
calcifications (sandstorm appearance)
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) should be
considered.
PAM is an uncommon chronic disease characterized
by calcifications within the alveoli which occurs in the
absence of any known disorder of calcium metabolism
On CT scans diffuse ground-glass opacities
throughout both lungs can be seen in association with
calcified nodules
55. HONEYCOMB LUNG
The term âhoneycomb lungâ first appeared in the English literature
in 1949 (Oswald and Parkinson)
Radiologically, in the latest version from the Fleischner Society, it
is defined as âclustered cystic air spaces, typically of comparable
diameters on the order of 3â10 mm but occasionally as large as 2.5
cm... usually subpleural and characterized by well-defined wallsâ
Recent understanding indicates that âhoneycombing is often
considered specific for pulmonary fibrosis and is an important
criterion in the diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)â
Causes:
- idiopathic interstitial pneumonia
- diffuse alveolar damage
- asbestosis
- interstitial granulomatous diseases
- eosinophilic granuloma
57. WESTERMARK SIGN
Described by Neil Westermarck in 1938
Chest radiograph and CT show increased lucency or
hypoattenuation
Typically signifies either occlusion of a larger
lobar/segmental artery or widespread small vessel
occlusion
Represents oligemia distal to PE; seen only in 2% of
patients
Sign results from combination of dilatation
pulmonary arteries proximal embolus and collapse
of distal vasculature
Low sensitivity 11%, high specificity 92%
60. WAVE SIGN
Sign produced by lateral indentation of thymus by adjacent anterior ribs
resembling a wave
This sign in seen in the pediatric population and represents a normal thymus
WAVE SIGN. Chest radiograph with schematic drawing and illustrative picture.
61. DEEP SULCUS SIGN
The presence of radiolucency in a deep costophrenic
sulcus on a supine thoracic radiograph is characteristic
of a pneumothorax in a supine patient
Seen on X-rays in supine position
Intrapleural air rises to the highest portion of the
hemithorax leading to the presence of a lucency in the
anteromedial, subpulmonic, and lateral basilar space
adjacent to the diaphragm
30% pneumothoraces are undetected
It is useful in confirming suspected pneumothorax on
AP supine radiography in compromised patients, such
as those in the intensive care setting
62. DEEP SULCUS SIGN. Chest radiograph with schematic drawing and illustrative picture.
63. TAPERED MARGINS SIGN
Lesions in the chest wall, pleura or mediastinum have smooth tapered borders
and obtuse angles
While parenchymal lesions usually form acute angles
TAPERED MARGINS SIGN. Chest radiographs with schematic drawings. Mesothelioma and thymic lymphosarcoma.
64. CERVICOTHORACIC SIGN
Used to determine location of mediastinal lesion in the upper
chest
Based on principle that an intrathoracic lesion in direct contact
with soft tissues of the neck will not be outlined by air
Uppermost border of the anterior mediastinum ends at level
of clavicles, so when the cephalic border of a mass is obscured
at or below the level of the clavicles, it is deemed to be a
âcervicothoracic lesionâ involving the anterior mediastinum
Middle and posterior mediastinum extends above the clavicles
Mediastinal mass projected superior the level of clavicles must
be located either within middle or posterior mediastinum
More cephalad the mass extends the most posterior the
location
67. 1-2-3 SIGN
Characterized by bilateral hilar and right paratracheal lymphadenopathy so-called
Garland triad or 1-2-3 sign
Suggestive of sarcoidosis
Separation between nodes and heart which is not seen in lymphoma
1-2-3 SIGN. Chest radiographs with schematic drawings. Sarcoidosis.
69. HILUM OVERLAY SIGN
Described by Benjamin Felson
If hilar vessels are sharply delineated it can be assumed that the overlying mass is
anterior or posterior
If mass is inseparable from pulmonary arteries, structures are adjacent to one
another
HILUM OVERLAY SIGN. Chest radiograph with schematic drawing.
70. HILUM CONVERGENCE SIGN
Used to distinguish between a prominent hilum and an enlarged pulmonary
artery
If branches of PA converge toward central mass, is an enlarged PA
If branches of PA converge toward heart rather than mass, is a mediastinal tumor
HILUM CONVERGENCE SIGN. Chest radiograph with schematic drawing.
71. THORACOABDOMINAL SIGN
Posterior costophrenic sulcus extends more caudally than anterior
basilar lung
Lesion extending below the dome of diaphragm must be in posterior
chest whereas lesion terminating at dome must be anterior
Thoracoabdominal signs were described by Felson
THORACOABDOMINAL SIGN. Chest radiograph with schematic drawing. Hamartoma.
73. WATER BOTTLE CONFIGURATION
Seen in pericardial effusion
Causes:
- inflammatory
- infectious
- malignant
- autoimmune processes within the pericardium
Chest radiography shows an enlarged cardiac silhouette
WATER BOTTLE CONFIGURATION. Chest radiograph with schematic drawing and illustrative picture.
75. DOUBLE DENSITY SIGN
On frontal chest radiographs, this sign presents as a curvilinear density projecting
over the right retrocardiac region, indicating left atrial enlargement
The curvilinear line represents the inferolateral margin of the left atrium
The double density sign may be observed in patients without cardiac disease;
however, there is a semiquantitative measurement to estimate the left atrial
diameter and better estimate whether it is a real finding
DOUBLE DENSITY SIGN. Chest radiograph with schematic drawings.
76. SPLIT PLEURA SIGN
Seen on contrast enhanced CT of chest
Separation and enhancement of the visceral and parietal
pleural layers on CT is considered strong evidence of empyema
Normally, individual pleural layers are not discernable as
discrete structures
Empyemic fluid fills the pleural space, resulting in thickening
and enhancement of the pleura with a denotable separation
It can also be seen with exudative effusion
Causes:
- bacterial pneumonia
- cancer
- viral infection
- PE
81. Tapered Margin Sign.
. A lesion in the chest wall, pleural or mediastinum have
smooth tapered borders and obtuse angles.
. While parenchymal lesions usually form acute angles.
Tapered Margin Sign.
83. Luftsichel Sign
⢠German for sickle of air (luft: air sichel: crescent)
⢠Para-mediastinal lucency due to interposition of lower lobe
apex between mediastinum and shrunken upper lobe
⢠Occurs more commonly on the left than in the right
85. Double Density Sign
⢠Indicates left atrial enlargement
⢠Occurs when right side of the left atrium pushes into adjacent lung
⢠Splaying of the carina
⢠Superior displacement of left main stem bronchus on frontal view
⢠Posterior displacement of left main stem bronchus on lateral view
⢠Posterior displacement of esophagus on barium study
86. Doughnut Sign
⢠Detect mediastinal adenomegaly
⢠Lateral chest radiograph
⢠Subcarinal lymphadenopathy
⢠Mass posterior to bronchus intermedius and inferior hilar window
⢠CT primary modality for detecting mediastinal lymphadenopathy
87. Doughnut sign. A normal lateral chest radiograph is shown depicting several of the anatomic landmarks used
to localize a subcarinal mass (A: 1, posterior wall of the bronchus intermedius; 2, left upper lobe bronchus; 3,
right upper lobe bronchus; 4, approximate level of the carina). Lateral radiograph of the chest (B) shows
added density within the infra-hilar window representative of subcarinal lymphadenopathy in a patient with
non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Follow-up CT of the chest confirmed the finding of subcarinal lymphadenopathy (C).
88. Hamptonâs Hump Sign
⢠Described by Audrey Hampton in 1940
⢠Peripheral wedge-shaped opacity due to infarction
⢠Pleura-based consolidation in the form of truncated cone w base
against pleural surface and apex pointing toward hilum.
89. Fleischner Sign
⢠Described by Felix Fleischner
⢠Enlargement proximal pulmonary arteries on plain film or angiography
⢠PA enlargement due to embolus
⢠Commonly in the setting of massive PE
⢠It has relatively low sensitivity
⢠Abrupt tapering of an occluded vessel distally (knuckle sign)
90. Hilum Overlay Sign
⢠Described by B. Felson
⢠If hilar vessels are sharply delineated it can be assumed that the overlying
mass is anterior or posterior
⢠If mass inseparable pulmonary arteries structures are adjacent to one another
Hilum Overlay Sign.
92. Hilum Convergence Sign
⢠Described by B. Felson
⢠Used to distinguish between a prominent hilum and an enlarged pulmonary artery
⢠If branches of PA converge toward central mass is an enlarged PA
⢠If branches of PA converge toward heart rather than mass is a mediastinal tumor
93. Comet Tail Sign
⢠Rounded atelectasis is not rare, described in patients with asbestosis
⢠Other conditions: CHF, Dressler, infarct, TB or parapneumonic effusions, histoplasmosis
⢠Round or oval opacity 2.5-8 cm, acute angles, lower lobes, enhancement
⢠DD includes bronchogenic Ca
Comet Tail Sign.
94. Comet tail sign. Rounded
atelectasis within the right
lower lobe (A) and abutting
the posterior pleural
surface in a patient with
previous asbestos exposure.
There is adjacent pleural
thickening (B, white arrow),
calcified pleural plaques,
and signs of volume loss
with downward retraction
of the major fissure. The
swirling of the
bronchovascular bundle is
thought to resemble a
cometâs tail.
95. Deep Sulcus Sign
⢠Seen on radiographs in supine position
⢠Characteristic of pneumothorax
⢠30% pneumothoraces are undetected
⢠Lucency in lateral costophrenic angle
⢠Air collects anteriorly and basally
⢠Useful in neonates and ill patients
⢠Include lateral costophrenic angles
96. Ring Around Artery Sign
⢠Visualized on lateral chest radiographs
⢠Lucency along or surrounding RPA
⢠Characteristic of pneumomediastinum
⢠Usually is accompanied by other ancillary signs:
⢠continuous diaphragm sign
⢠Naclerioâs V sign
⢠thymic sail sign
97.
98. Flat Waist Sign
⢠Described by Kattan and Wlot in 1976
⢠Indicates left lower lobe collapse
⢠Visualized on frontal views
⢠Perfectly symmetrical PA or AP view
⢠Hilar structures shift downward and rotation of heart
produces flattening of cardiac waist
99. Scimitar syndrome, also known as hypogenetic lung syndrome, is
characterised by a hypoplastic lung that is drained by an anomalous vein
into the systemic venous system. It is a type of partial anomalous
pulmonary venous return and is one of several findings in pulmonary
venolobar syndrome
Scimitar-syndrome.
100. Scimitar sign. Frontal
radiograph of the chest (A)
shows a curvilinear opacity
paralleling the right heart
border representing an
anomalous pulmonary vein.
Graphic depiction of the
curvilinear anomalous vein
and its usual common entry
into the inferior vena cava
(B). A follow-up
unenhanced CT (C, D) and
cavagram (E) for central
line placement confirmed a
supradiaphragmatic
insertion of the anomalous
vein into the inferior vena
cava just prior to its entry
into the right atrium.