ABSTRACT
Se presenta un paciente del sexo masculino de 23 años de edad, asintomático, con antecedentes patológicos personales de tromboflebitis migratriz en estudio. Se le realizó radiografía de tórax, en la cual se observó imagen hipertransparente basal derecha (signo de Westermark) con vasos escasos a ese nivel e hilio ipsilateral de mayor tamaño, lo que hizo sospechar tromboembolismo pulmonar sin infarto. Se realizó angiotomografía pulmonar, comprobándose dicho diagnóstico al encontrar amputada la arteria segmentaria basal lateral derecha. La radiografía de tórax tiene baja sensibilidad y especificidad para la confirmación de tromboembolismo pulmonar; no obstante, no se debe olvidar que sigue siendo el examen por el que se inicia el estudio, porque resulta el método menos costoso, disponible en todas las instituciones de salud, que permite descartar otras afecciones capaces de simularlo, y en algunos casos, como este, permite incluso, hacer el diagnóstico.
A male 23-year-old asymptomatic patient presents with a personal history of migratory thrombophlebitis under study. Chest roentgenography showed a right basal hypertransparent image (Westermark sign) with scarce vessels at that level and a larger ipsilateral hilum, which raised the suspicion of pulmonary thromboembolism without infarction. The diagnosis was confirmed when pulmonary angiotomography showed that the right lateral basal segmental artery was amputated. Chest roentgenography has low sensitivity and specificity for the confirmation of pulmonary thromboembolism. However, it should be remembered that it continues to be the first test performed in the examination, due to its low cost and its availability in all health care centers, allowing to rule out other conditions which could simulate pulmonary thromboembolism, and in some cases, such as this one, even making it possible to reach a diagnosis.
ABSTRACT
Three hundred and seventy four random patients admitted to the postoperative intensive care unit (lCU) underwent postoperative clinical positioning of endotracheal tube(ET), nasogastric tube, central venous catheter and laboratory arterial blood gas (ABG) assessment. Chest roentgenography was done for all the admitted patients and the findings reviewed. Thirteen (3.47%) patients required intervention because of abnormalities detected on chest roentgenography. None of the pathologic conditions detected was life threatening. Chest roentgenography on admission to the cardiovascular ICU should be done only if the surgery has been performed for cardiac trauma, re-exploration, and also if clinical and laboratory assessment indicate the possibility of underlying pathologic conditions that can only be confirmed by chest roentgenography.