Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease chest x ray


 * Philip Marcus, M.D., M.P.H. [mailto:pmarcus192@aol.com];

Overview
On chest x-ray, the classic signs of COPD are overexpanded lung (hyperinflation), a flattened diaphragm, increased retrosternal airspace, and bullae. It can be useful to help exclude other lung diseases, such as pneumonia, pulmonary edema or a pneumothorax.

Chest X Ray
Images shown below are courtesy of RadsWiki

Emphysema

 * Signs of hyperinflation like flattening of diaphragm.
 * Increased retrosternal space
 * Hypovascularity
 * Long, narrow heart shadow

Chronic bronchitis

 * Increased bronchovascular markings
 * Cardiomegaly
 * Right ventricular enlargement, prominent hilar vascular shadows, opacity in retrosternal air spaces (pulmonary hypertension)