Left paratracheal stripe
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The left paratracheal stripe is formed by the interface of the medial pleural surface of the left upper lobe and left lateral border of the trachea and/or or the fat adjacent 1 with air within each structure forming the outline. It may not be visible if the left upper lobe contacts the left subclavian artery or left common carotid artery 2.
Abnormal widening or contour may be due to 1, 2,2:
- pleural effusion
- mediastinal lymphadenopathy or malignancy
- mediastinal haematoma
Recognition of any abnormality in the left paratracheal stripe is invaluable in ensuring the appropriateness in further investigation with CT.
Radiological appearance
Plain film
- seen on ~25% (range 21-31%) of PA chest x-rays 1
, 2,2 - appears as a vertical stripe of variable thickness, that extends from the aortic arch to the left subclavian artery 1
, 2,2
-<p>The <strong>left paratracheal stripe</strong> is formed by the interface of the medial pleural surface of the left upper lobe and left lateral border of the <a href="/articles/trachea">trachea</a> and/or or the fat adjacent <sup>1</sup> with air within each structure forming the outline. It may not be visible if the left upper lobe contacts the left <a href="/articles/subclavian-artery">subclavian artery</a> or left <a href="/articles/common-carotid-artery-2">common carotid artery</a> <sup>2</sup>. </p><p>Abnormal widening or contour may be due to <sup>1, 2</sup>:</p><ul>- +<p>The <strong>left paratracheal stripe</strong> is formed by the interface of the medial pleural surface of the <a title="Left upper lobe" href="/articles/left-upper-lobe">left upper lobe</a> and left lateral border of the <a href="/articles/trachea">trachea</a> and/or the fat adjacent <sup>1</sup> with air within each structure forming the outline. It may not be visible if the left upper lobe contacts the left <a href="/articles/subclavian-artery">subclavian artery</a> or left <a href="/articles/common-carotid-artery-2">common carotid artery</a> <sup>2</sup>. </p><p>Abnormal widening or contour may be due to <sup>1,2</sup>:</p><ul>
-<li>mediastinal lymphadenopathy or malignancy</li>- +<li>
- +<a title="Mediastinal lymphadenopathy" href="/articles/mediastinal-lymph-node-enlargement">mediastinal lymphadenopathy</a> or malignancy</li>
-<li>seen on ~25% (range 21-31%) of PA <a href="/articles/chest-radiograph">chest x-rays</a> <sup>1, 2</sup>- +<li>seen on ~25% (range 21-31%) of PA <a href="/articles/chest-radiograph">chest x-rays</a> <sup>1,2</sup>
-<li>appears as a vertical stripe of variable thickness, that extends from the aortic arch to the left subclavian artery <sup>1, 2</sup>- +<li>appears as a vertical stripe of variable thickness, that extends from the <a title="Aortic arch" href="/articles/aortic-arch">aortic arch</a> to the left subclavian artery <sup>1,2</sup>
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