Correct!
1. Chest radiography shows a dilated esophagus has developed on the current study
Chest radiography shows lucency projected over the mediastinum on the frontal projection, posterior to the heart on the lateral projection, consistent with the location of the esophagus. This finding does not represent pneumomediastinum, and the position is inconsistent with paraseptal emphysema. The lucent focus resides within the mediastinum and therefore does not represent cystic lung disease. A gastric pull-through following esophagectomy is a consideration, but typically such a surgery is not performed through a sternotomy but rather through a right thoracotomy, and most commonly for esophageal malignancy. This patient does not have a history of previous right thoracotomy or esophageal carcinoma, nor does she have a history of a gastric pull-through between the two examinations.
Which of the following is the most appropriate consideration for the finding on the current (Figure 1) chest radiograph? (click on the correct answer to be directed to the sixth of eleven pages)