Aortic coarctation chest x-ray

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Aortic coarctation Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Aortic Coarctation from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Electrocardiogram

Chest X-Ray

CT

MRI

Angiography

Echocardiography

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Aortic coarctation chest x-ray On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Aortic coarctation chest x-ray

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Aortic coarctation chest x-ray

CDC on Aortic coarctation chest x-ray

Aortic coarctation chest x-ray in the news

Blogs on Aortic coarctation chest x-ray

Directions to Hospitals Treating Aortic coarctation

Risk calculators and risk factors for Aortic coarctation chest x-ray

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S.[2], Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3]; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S.[4]

Overview

Aortic coarctation on chest X ray presents with irregular notching of the inferior margins of the posterior ribs resulting from collateral flow through dilated and pulsatile intercostal arteries. An inverted "3" sign of the barium-filled esophagus or a "3" sign on a highly penetrated chest radiograph may be visualized. Signs of congestive heart failure cardiomegaly, pulmonary edema, and prominent pulmonary vasculature are evident on chest radiograph.

Chest X Ray

  • Irregularities or notching of the inferior margins of the posterior ribs results from collateral flow through dilated and pulsatile intercostal arteries. These collateral appear after 6 years of age if the coarctation is significant.
  • An inverted "3" sign of the barium-filled esophagus or a "3" sign on a highly penetrated chest radiograph may be visualized. Post-stenotic dilation of the aorta results in a classic reverse 3 sign on x-ray. The characteristic bulging of the sign is caused by dilatation of the aorta due to an indrawing of the aortic wall at the site of cervical rib obstruction, with consequent post-stenotic dilation. This physiology results in the reversed 3 image for which the sign is named.[1][2][3]
  • Signs of congestive heart failure Cardiomegaly, pulmonary edema,and prominent pulmonary vasculature are evident.

Shown below are the chest X-ray images showing 3 sign and arrows pointing to notching of ribs.


References

  1. Sabatine, Marc (February 15, 2000). Pocket Medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 256 pages. ISBN 0781716497.
  2. Blecha, Matthew J. (August 30, 2005). "General Surgery ABSITE and Board Review (Pearls of Wisdom)". McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0071464314.
  3. Brady Pregerson (October 1, 2006). "Quick Essentials: Emergency Medicine, 2nd Edition". ED Insight Books. ISBN 0976155273.

Template:WH Template:WS CME Category::Cardiology