Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Patterns and Signs in Thoracic Imaging

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Thoracic Imaging

  • 1618 Accesses

Abstract

The imaging appearances of pulmonary pathologies can be classified into various patterns for the ease of description and to narrow down the differential diagnoses. Imaging pattern refers to a finding or multiple findings suggesting one or more specific conditions [1, 2]. Many characteristic signs have also been described in computed tomography (CT) and radiographs. Along with the clinical features, these signs help in localizing the lesion or in arriving at a diagnosis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Collins J. CT signs and patterns of lung disease. Radiol Clin N Am. 2001;39(6):1115–35.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Hansell DM, Bankier AA, MacMahon H, McLoud TC, Muller NL, Remy J. Fleischner society: glossary of terms for thoracic imaging. Radiology. 2008;246(3):697–722.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Proto AV, Tocino I. Radiographic manifestations of lobar collapse. Semin Roentgenol. 1980;15(2):117–73.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Woodring JH, Reed JC. Radiographic manifestations of lobar atelectasis. J Thorac Imaging. 1996;11(2):109–44.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Felson B, Felson H. Localization of intrathoracic lesions by means of the postero-anterior roentgenogram; the silhouette sign. Radiology. 1950;55(3):363–74.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Marshall GB, Farnquist BA, MacGregor JH, Burrowes PW. Signs in thoracic imaging. J Thorac Imaging. 2006;21(1):76–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Algın O, Gökalp G, Topal U. Signs in chest imaging. Diagn Interv Radiol. 2011;17(1):18–29.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Matsunaga K, Takanashi Y, Tajima S, Hayakawa T, Neyatani H. Solitary fibrous tumor originating from the visceral pleura presenting an extrapleural sign; report of a case. Kyobu Geka. 2017;70(6):474–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Kui M, Templeton PA, White CS, Cai ZL, Bai YX, Cai YQ. Evaluation of the air bronchogram sign on CT in solitary pulmonary lesions. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1996;20(6):983–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Schmidt AJ, Stark P. Radiographic findings in Klebsiella (Friedlander’s) pneumonia: the bulging fissure sign. Semin Respir Infect. 1998;13(1):80–2.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Gordon R. The deep sulcus sign. Radiology. 1980;136(1):25–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Schmitt ER, Burg MD. Continuous diaphragm sign. West J Emerg Med. 2011;12(4):526–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Gupta P. The golden S sign. Radiology. 2004;233(3):790–1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Schramel FM, Westermann CJ, Knaepen PJ, van den Bosch JM. The scimitar syndrome: clinical spectrum and surgical treatment. Eur Respir J. 1995;8(2):196–201.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Frazier AA, Galvin JR, Franks TJ, Rosado-De-Christenson ML. From the archives of the AFIP: pulmonary vasculature: hypertension and infarction. Radiographics. 2000;20(2):491–524.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Sreenivasan S, Bennett S, Parfitt VJ. Images in cardiovascular medicine. Westermark’s and Palla’s signs in acute pulmonary embolism. Circulation. 2007;115(8):e211.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Blankenbaker DG. The luftsichel sign. Radiology. 1998;208(2):319–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Davis SD, Yankelevitz DF, Wand A, Chiarella DA. Juxtaphrenic peak in upper and middle lobe volume loss: assessment with CT. Radiology. 1996;198(1):143–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Marchiori E, Souza AS, Franquet T, Müller NL. Diffuse high-attenuation pulmonary abnormalities: a pattern-oriented diagnostic approach on high-resolution CT. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2005;184(1):273–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Sosman MC, Dodd GD, Jones WD, Pillmore GU. The familial occurrence of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis. Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med. 1957;77(6):947–1012.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Abramson S. The air crescent sign. Radiology. 2001;218(1):230–2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Haber J, Cervenková J. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis—imaging and invasive potential of diagnosis. Klin Mikrobiol Infekc Lek. 2007;13(5):190–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Pinto PS. The CT halo sign. Radiology. 2004;230(1):109–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Kim SJ, Lee KS, Ryu YH, Yoon YC, Choe KO, Kim TS, et al. Reversed halo sign on high-resolution CT of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia: diagnostic implications. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2003;180(5):1251–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Chou S-HS, Kicska G, Kanne JP, Pipavath S. Cheerio sign. J Thorac Imaging. 2013;28(1):W4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Partap VA. The comet tail sign. Radiology. 1999;213(2):553–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Wang Y-XJ, Gong J-S, Suzuki K, Morcos SK. Evidence based imaging strategies for solitary pulmonary nodule. J Thorac Dis. 2014;6(7):872–87.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Johkoh T, Itoh H, Müller NL, Ichikado K, Nakamura H, Ikezoe J, et al. Crazy-paving appearance at thin-section CT: spectrum of disease and pathologic findings. Radiology. 1999;211(1):155–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Aikins A, Kanne JP, Chung JH. Galaxy sign. J Thorac Imaging. 2012;27(6):W164.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Chong BJ, Kanne JP, Chung JH. Headcheese sign. J Thorac Imaging. 2014;29(1):W13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Sherrick AD, Swensen SJ, Hartman TE. Mosaic pattern of lung attenuation on CT scans: frequency among patients with pulmonary artery hypertension of different causes. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1997;169(1):79–82.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Ch’ng LS, Bux SI, Liam CK, Rahman NA, Ho CY. Sandstorm appearance of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis incidentally detected in a young, asymptomatic male. Korean J Radiol. 2013;14(5):859–62.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  33. Kerimoglu U, Kapicioglu S, Emlik D, Arazi M, Ural O. Case 161: hydatid disease with water lily sign manifesting as a soft-tissue mass in the calf of a child. Radiology. 2010;256(3):1007–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Zacharopoulos G, Adam A, Ind PW. The positive bronchus sign in patients with known lung cancer. Eur J Radiol. 1990;10(2):130–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Ouellette H. The signet ring sign. Radiology. 1999;212(1):67–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Cantin L, Bankier AA, Eisenberg RL. Bronchiectasis. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2009;193(3):W158–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Gosset N, Bankier AA, Eisenberg RL. Tree-in-bud pattern. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2009;193(6):W472–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Nguyen ET. The gloved finger sign. Radiology. 2003;227(2):453–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Shah RM, Friedman AC. CT angiogram sign: incidence and significance in lobar consolidations evaluated by contrast-enhanced CT. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1998;170(3):719–21.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Dodd JD, Souza CA, Müller NL. High-resolution MDCT of pulmonary septic embolism: evaluation of the feeding vessel sign. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006;187(3):623–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Wittram C, Maher MM, Yoo AJ, Kalra MK, Shepard J-AO, McLoud TC. CT angiography of pulmonary embolism: diagnostic criteria and causes of misdiagnosis. Radiographics. 2004;24(5):1219–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore

    Sivasubramanian Srinivasan & Ashish Chawla

Authors
  1. Sivasubramanian Srinivasan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ashish Chawla
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore

    Ashish Chawla

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Srinivasan, S., Chawla, A. (2019). Patterns and Signs in Thoracic Imaging. In: Chawla, A. (eds) Thoracic Imaging. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2544-1_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2544-1_1

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-13-2543-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-13-2544-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation