Westermark sign
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Westermark sign is a sign of pulmonary embolus (PE) seen on chest radiographs. It is one of several described signs of pulmonary embolus on chest radiographs.
Pathology
The theory behind the sign is either obstruction of the pulmonary artery or distal vasoconstriction in hypoxic lung 3.
In one study (PIOPED) this sign was present on ~10% of chest x-rays of patients with confirmed PE 2.
Radiographic features
Radiograph
- focal peripheral hyperlucency secondary to oligaemia 2-4
- central pulmonary vessels may also be dilated 3
History and etymology
The Swedish radiologist Nils Westermark (1892-1980) 7first described this sign in 1938 5.
Differential diagnosis
-<p><strong>Westermark sign</strong> is a sign of <a href="/articles/pulmonary-embolism">pulmonary embolus</a> (PE) seen on <a href="/articles/chest-radiograph">chest radiographs</a>. It is one of several described <a title="Signs of pulmonary embolus on chest radiography" href="/articles/signs-of-pulmonary-embolus-on-chest-radiography">signs of pulmonary embolus</a> on chest radiographs.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The theory behind the sign is either obstruction of the <a href="/articles/pulmonary-trunk">pulmonary artery</a> or distal vasoconstriction in hypoxic lung <sup>3</sup>.</p><p>In one study (PIOPED) this sign was present on ~10% of chest x-rays of patients with confirmed PE <sup>2</sup>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Radiograph</h5><ul>- +<p><strong>Westermark sign</strong> is a sign of <a href="/articles/pulmonary-embolism">pulmonary embolus</a> (PE) seen on <a href="/articles/chest-radiograph">chest radiographs</a>. It is one of several described <a href="/articles/signs-of-pulmonary-embolus-on-chest-radiography">signs of pulmonary embolus</a> on chest radiographs.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The theory behind the sign is either obstruction of the <a href="/articles/pulmonary-trunk">pulmonary artery</a> or distal vasoconstriction in hypoxic lung <sup>3</sup>.</p><p>In one study (PIOPED) this sign was present on ~10% of chest x-rays of patients with confirmed PE <sup>2</sup>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Radiograph</h5><ul>
-</ul><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>The Swedish radiologist <strong>Nils Westermark </strong>(1892-1980) first described this sign in 1938 <sup>5</sup>.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><ul><li>- +</ul><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>The Swedish radiologist <strong>Nils Westermark </strong>(1892-1980) <sup>7</sup> first described this sign in 1938 <sup>5</sup>.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><ul><li>
References changed:
- 7. Z. V. Maizlin. Wonders of Radiology. (2010) <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?vid=ISBN9781449976453">ISBN: 9781449976453</a><span class="ref_v4"></span>
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