COMMON PITFALLS IN RADIOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION OF THE THORAX

Errors in radiographic interpretation of the thorax are common. Many m istakes result from interpreting normal anatomic variants as abnormal structures, such as misdiagnosing dorsal and rightward deviation of th e cranial thoracic trachea on lateral radiographs of normal dogs. Some of the more common errors specifically relate to misinterpretation of radiographs made on obese patients. The age of the patient also plays a role in misdiagnosis. Aging cats seem to have a horizontally positi oned heart on lateral radiographs, and older dogs, primarily collies, often have pulmonary osteomas that are misdiagnosed as metastatic neop lastic disease or healed pulmonary fungal infections.