Articles
Dysphagia Diagnosis, treatment and management of UTI in children (D&G) Hospital at Home (H@H) Infant hip clinic referral form Vaccination referral form Assessment and management of babies who are accidentally dropped in hospital DGRI NNU Guideline for Management of Cord Blood Gas Results NNU Admission Criteria Antenatal Drugs for NAS Monitoring Vaccination Referrals from ED Paediatric Antimicrobial Guidance Children’s Services Resolution and Escalation Protocol Blunt Chest Wall Trauma/Rib Fractures Information for Parents Carers of Children Having Investigations in Relation to Unexplained Injuries + Consent form Bruising and Injuries in Babies and Children – Parents Leaflet Multi-Agency Protocol for Injuries to Non-Mobile Children Flowchart for children attending Galloway Community Hospital (GCH) for NAI Follow Up Skeletal Survey Flowchart for children attending DGRI for NAI Follow-Up Skeletal Survey Cognitive Function Conscious Level Kidney Biopsy Complications Parenteral Iron for Non-HD CKD Patients Fracture Management Guidelines (Paediatric) Fracture Management Guidelines (Adult) Management of Hypertension in Acute Stroke Prescribing for CAU Patients Still in ED Hypothermia Deactivation of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Myeloma Croup Care Of Burns In Scotland (COBIS) Paediatric Guidance Management of Epistaxis Sore Throat Differential Diagnosis Dizziness Differential Diagnosis Peritonsillar Abscess/Quinsy Acute Tonsillitis Acute Mastoiditis Otitis Media Otitis Externa Extravasation of IV Amiodarone WoS Paediatric Drooling and Aspiration Guideline Palliative Care – How to Refer Eating Disorders Stroke Care Warfarin Anticoagulation for AF, DVT and PE Molnupiravir MyPsych Foundation Doctors Toolkit Paediatric Febrile Neutropenia Guidance PAEDIATRIC HYPOGLYCAEMIA MANAGEMENT in NON DIABETIC CHILDREN   Paediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) Guideline Child Protection Policies and Procedures (D&G) Management of Acute Behavioural Challenges in Adolescents and Young People presenting to Secondary Care Cancer of Unknown Primary Patients Returning from Interventional Cardiac Procedure Treatment of Malaria Discharging Patients on High Dose Steroids Sotrovimab Paediatric Ketone Correction Guideline Insulin Correction Factor Table (Paediatrics) Management of uncomplicated Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) in under 16s Management of Hypoglycaemia in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Newly diagnosed diabetic – not in DKA (Walking wounded) Proton Pump Inhibitor Guideline for Neonatal and Paediatrics Stroke – Post Thrombolysis Neonatal Guidelines Gentamicin Prescribing (Paediatrics) Management of Anaphylaxis (Paediatrics) Management of Prolonged Seizures (Convulsive Status Epilepticus) in Children Bronchiolitis Acute Wheeze or Asthma in Paediatrics Conscious Proning Covid-19 Basics Remdesivir Thromboprophylaxis Identifying Patients in the Highest Risk Groups Steroids for Patients with Covid-19 Infection IL-6 Inhibitors – Tocilizumab or Sarilumab Baricitinib Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir) Influenza A Inhalers for Adults with Asthma Standard Operating Procedure for AMU Trigger Finger/Thumb Osteoarthritis of the Hand/Thumb Mallet Finger Ganglion Dupuytren’s Contracture De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Prescribing Advice on Admission – Clozapine Prescribing Advice on Admission – Methadone/Buprenorphine Prescribing Advice on Admission – Corticosteroids Prescribing Advice on Admission – Items Not Prescribed by GP Prescribing Advice on Admission – Patients on Chemotherapy Regimes Prescribing Advice on Admission – Medication for Parkinson’s Disease Prescribing Advice on Admission – Insulin Prescribing Advice on Admission Medical Emergencies in Eating Disorders (MEED) Gentamicin & Vancomycin HIV Testing Guidelines Metabolic Syndrome Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) Greener Inhaler Prescribing C4 Predischarge Beds Handover Safe and Secure Handling of Medicines Blood Glucose & Steroids IV Fentanyl & Morphine for Acute Pain in Adults Assessment & Management of Acute Pain Hospitalised and Has Coronavirus19 Infection (No suspected Viral Pneumonia Syndrome) Hospitalised Due to Coronavirus19 with Likely Viral Pneumonia Bi-Level NIV S/T Guidelines for CCU Phase Bi-Level NIV S/T Guidelines for ED Phase Adults With Incapacity Premenstrual Syndrome Pelvic USS Boarding Coeliac diagnosis pathway (Adults) Voice clinic Ear Wax Dermatology Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) Malignant Melanoma Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) Nipple Discharge Early Cancer Diagnostic Clinic (ECDC) Genetics Referrals Breast Infections Breast Pain Primary Care Prescribing Guidelines Emergency Department Anaesthetics and Chronic Pain Team Respiratory Referrals Chronic Cough Pathway GP Clinical Handbook Test Paediatric Bronchiolitis Early Cancer Diagnosis Clinic (ECDC) Obstetrics & Gynaecology/Medicine Admission Agreement Idiopathic Intrancranial Hypertension Urology Out of Hours Urology Out of Hours Sengstaken/Minnesota Tube for Bleeding Varices Eradication of Helicobacter pylori Transfer from Galloway Community Hospital Repatriation of Patients from Tertiary Hospitals THROMBOPROPHYLAXIS IN PREGNANCY – Appendix 1, Risk factors THROMBOPROPHYLAXIS IN PREGNANCY – Appendix 3, Postnatal assessment & management THROMBOPROPHYLAXIS IN PREGNANCY – Appendix 4 THROMBOPROPHYLAXIS IN PREGNANCY – Appendix 2, Management of women with previous VTE THROMBOPROPHYLAXIS IN PREGNANCY, LABOUR AND THE PUERPERIUM Orthopaedic VTE Risk Assessment Sodium Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors (SGLT2i) Cardiology Referrals Vascular Referrals ‘Watershed’ Conditions Myasthenia Gravis Gentamicin in Renal Replacement Therapy Vancomycin in Renal Replacement Therapy REDMAP Poster Realistic Conversations Summary Plan for Deteriorating Health Treatment Escalation Plans Ambulatory Care for Blood and/or Iron Infusion Principles for Light Touch Patients – B2 Clostridiodes difficile Infection Post Astra Zeneca Vaccine Headache Blood Culture Rhabdomyolysis Analgesia Acute Appendicitis Small Bowel Obstruction Elective Admission – Colorectal Surgery Trauma Admissions Post-operative Care Gallstone Disease Vasopressors and Inotropes/Chronotropes Shock Elective Admission – ERCP Elective Admission – Orthopaedics Laxatives Fat Embolism Compartment Syndrome Surgical Post-operative Complications Stoma Diverticular Disease High Dose Steroid Pre-Treatment Checklist Acute Surgical Admissions Level 1 CCU Medical Area Acute Oncology STEMI Thrombolysis Protocol Haemolytic Anaemia Conversion Charts Anticipatory ‘As Required’ Medications Syringe Driver Chart Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines Covid-19 Sick Day Rules for Patients with Primary Adrenal Insufficiency Diabetic Retinopathy Coming Off Benzodiazepines and “Z” Drugs Dental Abscess Facial Trauma – Mandibular Fractures Facial Trauma – Orbital Fractures Facial Trauma – Zygoma Platelet Transfusion Death Certification Parenteral Iron in Adults >18 Years OPAT SBAR (Complex Infections) Mental Health Liaison Team Referrals STEMI Admitting Patients with Tracheostomy/Laryngectomy to DGRI Emergency Laryngectomy Management Emergency Tracheostomy Management Safe Transfer of Patients with Tracheostomy/Laryngectomy within DGRI Other Tracheostomy Documents Systemic Anticancer Therapy Toxicity Haemodialysis Medication Prescribing Breaking Bad News by Telephone End of Life Diabetes Care Adrenal Insufficiency Serotonin Syndrome DGRI Referrals Confirmation of Death Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome Pulmonary Embolism Deep Vein Thrombosis of Lower Extremities Exacerbation of COPD Contrast Associated AKI Paracetamol Hypertensive Emergencies Staphylococcus aureus Bacteraemia (SAB) Rate Control in AF Common Scenarios Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis IV Fluid Prescription in Adults Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Legionnaires Disease Septic Arthritis Guillain-Barré Syndrome Back Pain Anaesthetics – Unscheduled Procedures Requests Hyperglycaemia & Steroids Variable Rate Insulin Infusion Decompensated Liver Disease Fast Atrial Fibrillation – ACP Hyperkalaemia Contraindications to MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging Bleeding with Other Antithrombotics In-patient Hyperglycaemia Management Anaemia (Management) – ACP Suspected NSTEMI – ACP Guidance on Chaperones Compulsory Admission and Treatment Radiology Immediate Discharge Letter Alcohol Withdrawal Fentanyl Patches in the Last Days of Life Care in the Last Days of Life Low Molecular Weight Heparin Interstitial Lung Disease Haematinic Testing Thromboprophylaxis for Non-Covid Patients Lung Cancer Osteoporosis Heart Failure Fluid Replacement in AKI Death & The Procurator Fiscal Thrombophilia Screening Neutropenic Sepsis Acute Vertigo Aortic Dissection Antithrombotics in Hip Fracture Transient Global Amnesia Hypomagnesaemia Hypophosphataemia Oxygen Therapy Falls – ACP Falls Acute Asthma Oncology Contact Details & General Advice Reversal of Warfarin Lumbar Puncture, Antiplatelet & Anticoagulant Drugs Antithrombotics & Surgery Non ST Elevation MI (NSTEMI) Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Antibiotics and the Kidney Acute Upper GI Bleeding (AUGIB) Pericardiocentesis Pleural Effusion Spontaneous Pneumothorax Acute Diarrhoea Iron Deficiency Anaemia Hyperthyroidism Gout Giant Cell Arteritis Pacemakers Clinical Suspicion PE – ACP Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) Management of Urinary Symptoms Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) SSRI Poisoning Immobility Autopsies Indications for Echocardiography Bradycardia Suspected Meningitis Hypernatraemia Diarrhoea – ACP Suspected Meningitis – ACP Blood Transfusion Brain Tumours Newer Antidiabetic Drugs Parkinson’s Disease Major Haemorrhage Protocols (DGRI & GCH) Major Haemorrhage Stroke Thrombolysis Pneumothorax – ACP Heart Failure – ACP Suspected Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis – ACP The AMB Score – ACP Transient Loss of Consciousness (TLOC) – ACP Bell’s Palsy – ACP Suspected Sepsis Lumbar Puncture Hypokalaemia Gentamicin Dosing Transient Loss of Consciousness Urinary Tract Infection Urethral Catheterisation Vancomycin Dosing Hyponatraemia Narrow Complex Tachycardia Hypocalcaemia New Onset Type 1 Diabetes – ACP Paracentesis for Tense Ascites – ACP Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension – ACP Other Funny Turns Hypoglycaemia Hypoglycaemia – ACP Management of Transfusion Reactions Hypercalcaemia Haematemesis – ACP Anti-Platelet Therapy in Coronary Heart Disease Unfractionated Heparin Infusion Anaemia (Investigation) – ACP Delirium Suspected Seizure – ACP Headache – ACP Community Acquired Pneumonia – ACP Cellulitis Dyspepsia Management of Acute AF Rhythm Control in AF Atrial Fibrillation Kidney Transplantation Massive Pulmonary Embolism Head and Neck Injury Diabetic Ketoacidosis Switching from VRII Insulin Pumps Diabetes Mellitus Aspirin Digoxin Poisoning Tricyclic Antidepressants Opiates Benzodiazepines Gut Decontamination Deliberate Self Harm Acute Liver Failure Asymptomatic Raised Transaminases (ALT & AST) Nutritional Support in Adults Refeeding Syndrome Parenteral Nutrition Crohn’s Disease Acute Pancreatitis Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Malignant Spinal Cord Compression Post Splenectomy Sepsis Ascites in Cirrhosis Alcohol Related Liver Disease Hepatitis C Symptom Control Suspected Variceal Bleeding Severe Headache Status Epilepsy in Adults Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding Functional & Social Assessment Breathlessness with Abnormal CXR Polymyalgia Rheumatica Rheumatoid Arthritis Ureteric Colic & Renal Stones Intravascular Catheter Related Blood Stream Infection Care of Vascular Access Urinary Incontinence Peritoneal Dialysis Related Peritonitis The First Seizure Hypertension Ventricular Tachycardia Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Coronary Syndrome Telemetry The Diabetic Foot Subcutaneous Insulin Diabetes and Acute Coronary Syndrome Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State Multiple Sclerosis Coma
 
Close Menu
 
 
In this section Close
In this section : Respiratory
Croup Bronchiolitis Acute Wheeze or Asthma in Paediatrics Inhalers for Adults with Asthma Greener Inhaler Prescribing Bi-Level NIV S/T Guidelines for CCU Phase Bi-Level NIV S/T Guidelines for ED Phase Chronic Cough Pathway Paediatric Bronchiolitis Exacerbation of COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Legionnaires Disease Interstitial Lung Disease Oxygen Therapy Acute Asthma Pleural Effusion Spontaneous Pneumothorax Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) Breathlessness with Abnormal CXR
Home | Articles | Respiratory | Breathlessness with Abnormal CXR

Breathlessness with Abnormal CXR

Last updated 13th September 2022

Initial Assessment

  1. Often need to start treatment before establishing a diagnosis if very sick.
  2. Give O2 titrate to appropriate SpO2 target, then check gases.

Most Likely Diagnoses

  1. Pulmonary oedema.
  2. Pneumonia, consider pneumocystis if immunocompromised.
  3. ARDS from a range of causes including aspiration, inhalation, lung haemorrhage, trauma.
  4. Intercurrent illness in pre-existing lung disease e.g.pulmonary fibrosis.
  5. Venous thrombo-embolism (rarely).
  6. Lymphangitis carcinomatosis (rarely).

Investigations

  1. Stethoscope not always helpful.
  2. CXR changes often difficult to interpret.
  3. Often have to rely on other tests for diagnosis e.g. ECG, WCC, CRP, BNP, TnT, microbiology, echo

X-Ray Features That Suggest Heart Failure

  1. Big heart with upper lobe vein diversion (upper lobe vein >3 mm in first interspace)
  2. Loss of costophrenic angle
  3. Kerley B lines (horizontal lines extending laterally to rib cage)
  4. Peri-bronchial cuffing
  5. Bilateral hilar shadowing

Management

  1. Pulmonary oedema – Frusemide and IV nitrates. Consider CPAP if response remains poor.
  2. Pneumonia – click here for link to Community Acquired Pneumonia Page
  3. Acute lung injury (ARDS) – likely to require ventilation.
  4. Venous thrombo-embolism – Fragmin.
  5. If diagnosis uncertain & patient ill then discuss with Senior: may have to consider antibiotic and diuretic (Frusicillin) or antibiotic, diuretic, nebuliser and steroid (Respoclear).

Consider ITU Assessment

  1. Discuss with Senior if RR >30/min or <10/min, requires > 50% oxygen to maintain target SpO2 or unable to maintain target, haemodynamic instability, multi-organ involvement.

Content updated by Dr Wayne Wrathall