M. Brauner et F. Rety, Thoracic pseudo-lesions induced by inadequate methodology, visual illusions or anatomical variations, J RADIOLOG, 82(9), 2001, pp. 1056-1064
False-positive or over-calling of findings at chest radiography may have im
portant consequences by generating numerous and unnecessary examinations. T
he advances made in thoracic imaging have currently decreased the number of
technical errors. However, we are frequently confronted with visual illusi
ons or with failure to recognize anatomical variants, either congenital, ag
e-related or physiological in nature. Other difficulties are due to functio
nal variations. Over-calling depends on the clinical context, which may ina
dequately suggest an interstitial lung process, abnormalities of the vascul
arization or of the hila. In this article, several examples of false positi
ves will be illustrated. An explanation for these appearances, based on the
underlying etiology, will be provided.