Respiratory system

Abstract

Critically ill patients undergo various respiratory imaging while in the ICU. Most of the patients undergo chest X-ray. This is useful to detect lung consolidation, collapse and effusion. It also helps detection of pneumothorax, cavitations and ARDS. Additional information can be obtained from bedside USG of the lung. Besides diagnosis, USG can aid bedside percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy and chest tube drainage. Patients with non-resolving ARDS also undergo chest CT, which also rules out malignancies. CT angiography is also essential for pulmonary embolism. The role of individual imaging modalities, their techniques and interpretation have been outlined in this chapter. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Anirban Hom Choudhuri and Ashish Verma; individual chapters, the contributors.