Aneurysm

Aneurysm

Aneurysm is where a section of an artery or cardiac chamber has an atypical widening or bulging attributed to weakness in the wall.

What causes aneurysms is unclear. Some aneurysms are congenital and some aneurysms come from defects in pieces of the artery wall or from trauma. Cholesterol buildup in the arteries may cause aneurysm formations and high blood pressure can increase your risk certain forms of aneurysms. Most aneurysms take place in the aorta. If it arises in the chest it is called a thoracic aortic aneurysm and if it occurs in the abdomen it is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Aneurysms usually produce no symptoms but if they burst, high heart rate, lightheadedness and low blood pressure may arise resulting in a high probability of death from dangerous bleeding inside the body. Early diagnosis and medical care can help fend off many cases of ruptures and dissections. If found early, aortic aneurysms can often be treated effectively with surgery or medicines that lower blood pressure and ease blood vessels. Aortic aneurysms that are large can be braced or restored with surgery.

Atelectasis

Atelectasis

Atelectasis is brought on by an obstruction of the air passages or by compression on the outside of the lung which causes part or all of the lung to collapse. The collapse of the lung tissue impedes the respiratory interchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Some risk factors for developing atelectasis are extended bed rest with small changes in position, shallow breathing, anesthesia, mucus that closes off the airway, lung diseases, foreign object in the airway, an increase of fluid between the ribs and the lungs and tumors that block the airway may lead to atelectasis. Some symptoms of acute atelectasis include cyanosis, dyspnea, elevation of temperature, shock, or a dip in blood pressure and other symptoms include c

hest pain, cough and difficulty breathing.

To diagnose atelectasis, a clinical exam is performed, a bronchoscopy to view the airways and chest x-ray. To treat atelectasis, the collapsed lung tissue needs to re-inflate. If there is fluid that is constricting the lungs then the fluid will need to be expelled so the lungs can inflate. Some treatments include postural drainage, percussion on the chest to break up mucus, deep breathing exercises, and use inhaled medications to clear the airway.

The collapsed lung typically re-inflates slowly once the blockage has been removed. A small area of atelectasis in the lung is not life threatening since the rest of the lung can compensate for the collapsed area but a large area may be life threatening, particularly in an infant or small child, or for those who have an illness or another lung disease.

To prevent atelectasis, continue deep breathes after anesthesia, urge movement and deep breathing when bedridden for an extended time, and remove small objects from the reach of small children.

Introducing myself - RADT 415CT/MRI Procedures II

Hello all,
My name is Rhoda Stanton and I am on my third semester of clinicals for my MRI certification. I live in Indianapolis Indiana and I have worked at Methodist Sports Medicine/The Orthopedic Specialist also in Indianapolis Indiana for 10 years this coming May. I am planning on doing my clinicals again at CDI at the south office in Greenwood Indiana.
I am ready to get more quality time in at CDI and I hope to keep learning as much as possible from the great technologist there. I saw some very interesting cases at CDI last semester and I am looking forward to seeing more this semester. I hope everyone has a great semester and I am excited to reading your blogs!
Good Luck to all of you!