Is sail sign normal?

On a chest X-ray, the sail sign is a radiologic sign that suggests left lower lobe collapse. In children, however, a sail sign could be normal, reflecting the shadow of the thymus. The thymic sail sign or spinnaker-sail sign is due to elevation of the thymic lobes in the setting of pneumomediastinum.

What does sail sign mean?

The sail sign on an elbow radiograph, also known as the anterior fat pad sign, describes the elevation of the anterior fat pad to create a silhouette similar to a billowing spinnaker sail from a boat. It indicates the presence of an elbow joint effusion.

What is spinnaker sail sign?

The spinnaker sign (also known as the angel wing sign) is a sign of pneumomediastinum seen on neonatal chest radiographs. It refers to the thymus being outlined by air with each lobe displaced laterally and appearing like spinnaker sails. This is distinct from the sail sign appearance of the normal thymus.

What is a Lordotic view?

A lordotic views is most commonly acquired accidentally due to incorrect patient positioning. The clavicles appear high such that the lung apices are not visible above the clavicles. The ribs appear more horizontal and are more V-shaped than C-shaped. Too much of the abdomen may be visible on the image.

What is positive fat pad sign?

An elevated anterior lucency and/or a visible posterior lucency on a true lateral radiograph of an elbow flexed at 90° is described as a positive fat pad sign (,Fig 1).

What does posterior fat pad sign mean?

The posterior fat pad sign is the visualization of a lucent crescent of fat located in the olecranon fossa on a true lateral view of an elbow joint with the elbow flexed at a right angle indicating an elbow joint effusion.

When does thymic shadow disappear?

lead to thymic atrophy. The thymus decreases in size by 1-3 years old. By 4 years of age it can only be seen on a CXR in 2% of patients, but it is usually seen on CT of the chest in patients less than 20 years old.

What is Lordotic xray?

The AP lordotic chest radiograph (or AP axial chest radiograph) demonstrates areas of the lung apices that appear obscured on the PA/AP chest radiographic views.

What does the thymic sail sign represent?

The thymic sail sign represents a triangular-shaped inferior margin of the normal thymus seen on a neonatal frontal chest radiograph.

What is the shadow of the thymus?

This has been proved to be the shadow of the thymus and is not of pathological significance. As it resembles a “sail” it is known as the thymic Sail Sign (SS). Literature review reported it is seen in about 10% of normal children.

What is a sail-like projection from the mediastinum?

A sail-like, triangular projection from the mediastinum in chest radiographs is encountered in healthy children in the first few years of life. This has been proved to be the shadow of the thymus and is not of pathological significance. As it resembles a “sail” it is known as the thymic Sail Sign (SS).

Why does the size of the thymus change with stress?

Any type of stress such as an acute illness causes a rapid decrease (beginning within 24 hours) in thymic size due to the effects of endogenous steroids. On recovery there is often a “rebound” increase in the size of the thymus which later settles down to its regular size.