Journal of thoracic imaging
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The article describes eight patients with enlarged internal mammary lymph nodes visualized on the frontal plain chest radiograph. Enlarged internal mammary lymph nodes cast shadows that initially may be mistaken for a mediastinal or pleural abnormality. Although the lateral film alone may suggest these nodes, the findings on the frontal film help lateralize the abnormality.
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Traumatic laceration of the pulmonary artery is rare and is associated with a high mortality rate. The article describes a patient with pulmonary artery laceration from blunt chest trauma who presented with tension pneumothorax. Potentially life-threatening intrathoracic bleeding was not apparent until the pneumothorax was decompressed.
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Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has become the method of choice for evaluating patients with brachial plexopathy. The multiplanar capability of MR imaging and its superior ability to differentiate nerves from vessels and surrounding soft tissues contribute to its success. The article describes the MR anatomy of the brachial plexus in the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes and reviews the MR characteristics of traumatic and nontraumatic etiologies of brachial plexopathy.
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Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal disease endemic in the southwestern desert area of the United States. The infection is acquired by inhalation of arthrospores, and 60% of the infections are asymptomatic. Chest radiographic abnormalities are common and may even be seen in asymptomatic cases. ⋯ Rarely, in about 0.5% of cases, the infection may disseminate to any organ. The chest radiograph demonstrates a miliary or reticulonodular pattern and mediastinal adenopathy. Overall the disease is benign in nature; but patients with severe, progressive pulmonary or disseminated disease often require medical and occasionally surgical management.
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The respiratory system is affected more commonly in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) than in any other collagen vascular disease. In this article the many different manifestations of SLE in the pleura, lung parenchyma, lung vasculature, upper and lower airways, and respiratory muscles are reviewed. Moreover, indirect involvement of the respiratory system with SLE is discussed with special reference to pulmonary infection and drug-induced SLE pulmonary disease.