Case 21 — Thoracic Radiographs

DV

DV thoracic radiograph showing an obviously enlarged cardiac silhouette. A region of the left heart (left auricle) touches the chest wall.
DV radiograph. Enlarged cardiac silhouette with the left auricle touching the left chest wall.

Right Lateral

Right lateral thoracic radiograph showing pleural effusion below the last thoracic vertebrae. A denser region of the cardiac silhouette corresponds to the enlarged left auricle seen on the DV view. Pulmonary infiltrate visible caudal to the heart.
Right lateral radiograph. Pleural effusion below the last thoracic vertebrae. The left auricle appears as a denser region within the cardiac silhouette.

Quiz

1. What is the largest and most obviously enlarged chamber?

2. There is a pulmonary infiltrate below the region of the vena cava. What is most likely producing this?

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