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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Left atrial enlargement chest x-ray

Introduction

Chest X-Ray

Chest X-Ray

Chest x-ray findings of left atrial enlargement are:

  • Double density sign: Occur when the right side of the left atrium pushes behind the right atrial border, appearing as a double density. If large enough it can actually reach beyond the border of the right atrium.
  • Convex left atria appendage: usually reflect prior rheumatic heart disease
  • Splaying of the carina
  • Posterior displacement of the left main stem bronchus on lateral radiograph
  • Superior displacement of the left main stem bronchus on frontal view
  • Posterior displacement of a barium filled oesophagus or nasogastric tube

Images shown below are courtesy of Radiopedia.com.

  • Double density sign
    Double density sign
  • Same patient & the same image. Double density sign. Image's modified for more contrast and better visualization.
    Same patient & the same image. Double density sign. Image’s modified for more contrast and better visualization.
  • Aside from the dirty lung due to emphysema and pneumonic infiltration in the lower right field you can notice a marked enlargement of the left atrium with splaying of the carina.
    Aside from the dirty lung due to emphysema and pneumonic infiltration in the lower right field you can notice a marked enlargement of the left atrium with splaying of the carina.
References

References

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]; Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S. [3]