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Related Experiment Videos

Anterior clear space: how clear? How often? How come?

M J Landay1

  • 1Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas 75235.

Radiology
|July 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Increased retrosternal opacity is common on normal lateral chest radiographs, particularly in women. This finding, especially when the sternum-to-aorta distance exceeds 2.5 cm, is often normal.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Thoracic imaging

Background:

  • The retrosternal clear space (RSCS) and retrocardiac region are key areas on lateral chest radiographs.
  • Understanding normal variations in opacity is crucial for accurate interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the opacity of the RSCS and retrocardiac region on normal lateral chest radiographs.
  • To measure the RSCS and identify factors influencing its appearance.
  • To evaluate the clinical significance of these radiographic findings.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluation of lateral chest radiographs and computed tomographic (CT) scans from 38 patients with normal studies.
  • Correlation of radiographic findings with CT scan data.

Main Results:

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  • Retrosternal and retrocardiac opacity were equal in 50% of patients.
  • The retrosternal region was more opaque in 42%, notably in women (10/12) compared to men (6/26).
  • The anterior margin of the ascending aorta was visualized in only 24% of cases, with a mean sternum-to-aorta distance of 29 mm.

    • Conclusions:

    • Greater retrosternal opacity than retrocardiac opacity is a frequent normal finding on lateral chest radiographs, especially in women.
    • Measurement of sternum-to-aorta distance can be challenging; distances over 2.5 cm may be within normal limits.