Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Imaging Features of the Normal Aging Chest

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Cardiothoracic Surgery in the Elderly

  • 1169 Accesses

Abstract

As a part of the normal aging process, many changes occur in the lungs, mediastinum, pleura, and thoracic skeleton. Age-related mild pulmonary fibrosis, air trapping, and apical scarring can be seen in the lungs. Tortuous and atherosclerotic vessels and mediastinal lipomatosis are not infrequently seen in elderly patients. With increasing age, diaphragmatic hernia and eventration may become more prominent. Additionally, degenerative changes of the osseous structures can sometimes mimic pulmonary nodules. Familiarity with the imaging appearance of these changes is important to help avoid mistaking these changes as pathologic processes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Janssens JP, Pache JC, Nicod LP. Physiological changes in respiratory function associated with ageing. Eur Respir J. 1999;13:197–205.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Gibson GJ, Pride NB, O’Caine C, Quagliato R. Sex and age differences in pulmonary mechanics in normal nonsmoking subjects. J Appl Physiol. 1976;41:20–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Calabresi C, Arosio B, Galimberti L, Scanziani E, Bergottini R, Annoni G, et al. Natural aging, expression of fibrosis-related genes and collagen deposition in a rat lung. Exp Gerontol. 2007;42:1003–11.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Copley SJ, Wells AU, Hawtin KE, Gibson DJ, Hodson JM, Jacques AE, et al. Lung morphology in the elderly: Comparative CT study of subjects over 75 years old versus those under 55 years old. Radiology. 2009;251:566–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. McLoud TC, Isler RJ, Novelline RA, Putman CE, Simeone J, Stark P, et al. The apical cap. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1981;137:299–306.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Yousem SA. Pulmonary apicl cap: a distinctive but poorly recognized lesion in pulmonary surgical pathology. Am J Surg Pathol. 2001;25:679–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Resnick D, Niwayama G. Degenerative disease of the spine. In: Resnick D, editor. Diagnosis of bone and joint disorders. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Saunders; 1995. p. 1372–462.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Otake S, Takahashi M, Ishigaki T. Focal pulmonary interstitial opacities adjacent to thoracic spine osteophytes. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2002;179:893–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Hansell DM, Bankier AA, MacMahon H, McLoud TC, Muller NL, Remy J. Fleischner society: glossary of terms for thoracic imaging. Radiology. 2008;246:697–722.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Webb WR, Stern EJ, Kanth N, Gamsu G. Dynamic pulmonary CT: findings in healthy adult men. Radiology. 1993;186:117–24.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Stern EJ, Frank MS. Small-airway disease of the lungs: findings at expiratory CT. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1994;163:37–41.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Lee KW, Chung SY, Yang I, Lee Y, Ko EY, Park MJ. Correlation of aging and smoking with air trapping at thin-section CT of the lung in asymptomatic subjects. Radiology. 2000;214:831–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Bankoff MS, McEniff NJ, Bhadelia RA, Garcia-Moliner M, Daly BD. Prevalence of pathologically proven intrapulmonary lymph nodes and their appearance on CT. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1996;167:629–30.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Trapnell DH. Recognition and incidence of intrapulmonary lymph nodes. Thorax. 1964;19:44–50.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Kradin RL, Spirn PW, Mark EJ. Intrapulmonary lymph nodes: clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features. Chest. 1985;87:662–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Miyake H, Yamada Y, Kawagoe T, Hori Y, Mori H, Yokoyama S, et al. Intrapulmonary lymph nodes: CT and pathologic features. Clin Radiol. 1999;54:640–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Awai K, Nishioka Y, Tachiyama Y. Intrapulmonary lymph node: findings on high-resolution CT scans. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1993;161:208–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Sykes AM, Swensen SJ, Tazelaar HD, Jung SH. Computed tomography of benign intrapulmonary lymph nodes: Retrospective comparison with sarcoma metastases. Mayo Clin Proc. 2002;77:329–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Ahn MI, Gleeson TG, Chan IH, McWilliams AM, Macdonald SL, Lam S, et al. Perifissural nodules seen at CT screening for lung cancer. Radiology. 2010;254:949–56.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Naidich DP, Webb WR, Muller NL, Vlahos I, Krinsky GA. Mediastinum. In: Naidich DP, Webb WR, Muller NL, Vlahos I, Krinsky GA, editors. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance of the thorax. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters, Kluwer, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2007. p. 308–12.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Perlo VP, Arnason B, Castleman B. The thymus gland in elderly patients with myasthenia gravis. Neurology. 1975;25:294–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Dixon AK, Hilton CJ, Williams GT. Computed tomography and histologic correlation of the thymic remnant. Clin Radiol. 1981;32:255–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Homer JM, Wechsler RJ, Carter BL. Mediastinal lipomatosis. Radiology. 1978;128:657–61.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Price JE, Rigler LG. Widening of the mediastinum resulting from fat accumulation. Radiology. 1970;96:497–500.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Bein ME, Mancuso AA, Mink JH, Hansen GC. Computed tomography in the evaluation of mediastinal lipomatosis. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1978;2:379–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Glickstein MF, Miller WT, Dalinka MK, Lally JF. Paraspinal ­lipomatosis: a benign mass. Radiology. 1987;163:79–80.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Aronberg DJ, Glazer HS, Madsen K, Sagel SS. Normal thoracic aortic diameters by computed tomography. J Comput Assit Tomogr. 1984;8:247–50.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Naidich DP, Webb WR, Muller NL, Vlahos I, Krinsky GA. Aorta, arch vessels, and great veins. In: Naidich DP, Webb WR, Muller NL, Vlahos I, Krinsky GA, editors. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance of the thorax. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters, Kluwer, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2007. p. 87–216.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Tenenbaum A, Garniek A, Shemesh J, Fisman EZ, Stroh CI, Itzchak Y, et al. Dual-helical CT for detecting aortic atheromas as a source of stroke: comparison with transesophageal echocardiography. Radiology. 1998;208:153–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Rudd JH, Warbuton EA, Fryer TD, Jones HA, Clark JC, Antoun N, et al. Imaging atherosclerotic plaque inflammation with [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. Circulation. 2002;105:2708.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Edwards J. Anomalies of derivatives of the aortic arch system. Med Clin North Am. 1948;32:925–49.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Akers DL, Fowl RJ, Plettner JJ, Kempczinski RF. Complications of anomalous ­origin of the right subclavian artery: case report and review of the literature. Ann Vasc Surg. 1991;5:385–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Caskey CI, Zerhouni EA, Fishman EK, Rahmouni AD. Aging of the diaphragm: a CT study. Radiology. 1989;171:385–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Naidich DP, Webb WR, Muller NL, Vlahos I, Krinsky GA. Pleura, chest wall, and diaphragm. In: Naidich DP, Webb WR, Muller NL, Vlahos I, Krinsky GA, editors. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance of the thorax. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters, Kluwer, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2007. p. 769–883.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Estenne M, Yernault JC, DeTroyer A. Rib cage and diaphragm-abdomen compliance in humans: effects of age and posture. J Appl Physiol. 1985;59:1842–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Teale C, Romaniuk C, Mulley G. Calcification on chest radiographs: the association with age. Age Aging. 1989;18:333–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Edge JR, Millard FJ, Reid L, Simon G. The radiographric appearances of the chest in persons of advanced age. Br J Radiol. 1964;37:769–74.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Austin JH, Romney BM, Goldsmith LS. Missed bronchogenic ­carcinoma: radiographic findings in 27 patients with a potentially resectable lesion evident in retrospect. Radiology. 1992;182:115–22.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Shah PK, Austin JH, White CS, Patel P, Haramati LB, Pearson GD, et al. Missed non-small cell lung cancer: radiographic findings of potentially resectable lesions ­evident only in retrospect. Radiology. 2003;226:235–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Division of Thoracic Imaging and Intervention, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Founders 202, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Jo-Anne O. Shepard

Authors
  1. Carol C. Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jo-Anne O. Shepard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jo-Anne O. Shepard .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Thoracic Surgery, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, 1000 East Mountain Drive, Wilkes-Barre, 18711, Pennsylvania, USA

    Mark R. Katlic

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wu, C.C., Shepard, JA.O. (2011). Imaging Features of the Normal Aging Chest. In: Katlic, M. (eds) Cardiothoracic Surgery in the Elderly. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0892-6_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0892-6_12

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-0891-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-0892-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation