Paraortic line
Linea paraaortica
Definition
The paraortic line represents the interface formed by the contact of the lateral wall of descending thoracic aorta with the left lower lobe.
Normal radiographic appearance:
The paraortic line appears as a straight vertical interface, which lies posterior to the cardiac shadow and lateral to the left paraspinal line. In its lower third it comes nearer
to the vertebral bodies at the level of the 11th thoracic vertebra, overlapping the left paraspinal line.
The paraortic line has reportedly been seen on 49% of posteroanterior chest radiographs.
Abnormal radiographic appearance:
An abnormal contour may be the result of different conditions affecting the lung and pleura or the middle and posterior mediastinum, such as lymphadenopathy, aortal aneurysm, gastroesophageal varices and lung neoplasms.
References
Gibbs JM, Chandrasekhar CA, Ferguson EC, Oldham SA. Lines and stripes: where did they go?--From conventional radiography to CT. Radiographics. 2007 Jan-Feb;27(1):33-48. doi: 10.1148/rg.271065073. PMID: 17234997.
Marano R, Liguori C, Savino G, Merlino B, Natale L, Bonomo L. Cardiac silhouette findings and mediastinal lines and stripes: radiograph and CT scan correlation. Chest. 2011 May;139(5):1186-1196. doi: 10.1378/chest.10-0660. PMID: 21540217.
Cardiac silhouette findings and mediastinal lines and stripes: X-ray and computed tomography correlation R. Marano, G. Savino, C. Liguori, A. Meduri, L. Natale, L. Bonomo; Rome/IT CR-222 poster ECR 2009
Mediastinal lines, stripes and interfaces on PA chest radiograph with CT correlations - N. Bystrická, H. Poláková, J. Sykora; Bratislava/SKC-0442ECR 2013 10.1594/ecr2013/C-04
