radiological appearance of mitral stenosis
Last reviewed 01/2018
Possible features include:
- cardiothoracic ratio:
- the heart size is normal (small left ventricle)
- in the presence of pulmonary hypertension there will be right ventricular hypertrophy and tricuspid regurgitation, a dilated right atrium and pulmonary artery
- dilated left atrium - the carina will be splayed
- pulmonary vessels:
- increased flow through upper lobes as pulmonary vascular changes begin in the lower lobes
- hydrostatic pressure increases pulmonary venous pressure in lower lobes
- the pulmonary artery and branches dilate with pulmonary hypertension
- Kerley's lines:
- are caused by interlobular oedema and dilated lymphatics
- they appear as horizontal line shadows at the costophrenic angles
- Kerley's lines indicates a high left atrial, and pulmonary venous, pressure
- in long standing and severe mitral stenosis there may be calcification of the mitral valve