Pulmonary Embolism
PE is the most consequential chest call. RadCall covers CTPA technique, clot burden assessment, right heart strain signs, and the Wells and PERC scores. Massive vs submassive PE categorization, contraindications to CT, and V/Q scan as an alternative are all included.
- CTPA technique — timing, contrast dose, pitfalls
- Clot burden — Qanadli and Mastora scores
- Right heart strain — RV:LV ratio, D-sign, reflux
- Massive vs submassive PE — categorization
- Wells score — pretest probability
- PERC rule — low-risk exclusion
- Chronic PE — CT findings vs acute
- Saddle embolus — bilateral main PA involvement
Pneumothorax and Pleural Disease
Pneumothorax sizing, tension physiology, and the decision to drain versus observe are core chest calls. RadCall includes pleural effusion characterization (transudative vs exudative context), empyema CT findings, and the Light criteria framework.
- Pneumothorax — CXR sizing, Light Index
- Tension pneumothorax — imaging and decompression
- Pleural effusion — transudative vs exudative context
- Empyema — loculation, split pleura sign on CT
- Hemothorax — density measurement, drainage criteria
- Chylothorax — causes, CT and imaging clues
- Pleural mass — mesothelioma, metastasis
- Pneumomediastinum — causes and significance
Consolidation and Airspace Disease
Acute consolidation on CT or CXR requires distinguishing infectious pneumonia, aspiration, pulmonary edema, hemorrhage, and organizing pneumonia. Pattern, distribution, and associated findings guide the differential.
- Lobar consolidation — pneumonia, obstruction
- Bilateral airspace — edema vs pneumonia vs DAD
- Ground-glass opacity — differential and context
- Crazy-paving pattern — edema, PCP, alveolar proteinosis
- Aspiration — dependent distribution, gravity-dependent
- Organizing pneumonia — peripheral, lower lobe, bands
- Pulmonary hemorrhage — DAH patterns
- COVID-19 pneumonia — bilateral GGO, vascular dilatation
Mediastinum and Cardiac
Mediastinal widening on CXR is a critical finding requiring CT characterization. RadCall covers the anterior/middle/posterior mediastinal compartment differential, aortic injury grading, and cardiac tamponade CT signs.
- Anterior mediastinal mass — 4 T's differential
- Mediastinal widening — CXR causes, CT next steps
- Traumatic aortic injury — AAST grading, TEVAR criteria
- Pericardial effusion — CT density, tamponade signs
- Cardiac tamponade — RA/RV collapse, IVC plethora
- Aortic injury CTA — periaortic hematoma, intimal flap
- Lymphoma — mediastinal nodes, anterior compartment
- Esophageal perforation — pneumomediastinum, effusion