Pediatric Normal Chest

Etiology: CXR is obtained in inspiration instead of expiration
Imaging CXR:
— CXR in inspiration shows well expanded lungs, normal heart size, normal appearing pulmonary vasculature
— CXR in expiration shows poorly expanded lungs, cardiomegaly, prominent pulmonary vasculature
DDX:
Complications:
Treatment:
Clinical: If it is suspected that an expiratory CXR has been obtained the CXR should be repeated in inspiration

Radiology Cases of Normal Chest

Radiology Cases of Normal Inspiratory Chest

CXR of normal inspiratory chest — CXR AP shows the lungs to be well expanded and clear. The heart and mediastinal contour are normal. There is no pneumothorax or pleural effusion.

Radiology Cases of Normal Expiratory Chest

Normal inspiratory and expiratory CXR — Initial CXR AP (left) shows the heart to be enlarged and the pulmonary vascularity to be congested and there are low lung volumes. Repeat CXR AP obtained 5 minutes later in inspiration (right) shows the heart to be normal in size and the pulmonary vascularity is not congested and there are normal lung volumes.

Inspiratory and expiratory CXR — Inspiratory CXR (above) shows well expanded lungs, normal heart size, and normal appearing pulmonary vasculature. Expiratory CXR in the same patient (below) shows poorly expanded lungs, cardiomegaly, and prominent pulmonary vasculature.

Difference between pediatric inspiratory and expiratory CXR — Inspiratory CXR (above) shows well expanded lungs, normal heart size, and normal appearing pulmonary vasculature. Expiratory CXR in the same patient (below) shows poorly expanded lungs, cardiomegaly, and prominent pulmonary vasculature.