Posterior tracheal line

Linea trachealis posterior

  • Synonym: Posterior tracheal stripe; Tracheo-esophageal stripe

Definition

The posterior tracheal line is formed by the outline of posterior wall of trachea and soft tissue by the interface of the air in the tracheal and the air in the right lung. 

Normal radiographic appearance:

The posterior tracheal line is seen on the lateral CXR.The posterior tracheal line is normally less than 2.5mm. When it is superior to 5.5 mm, it is termed as posterior tracheal stripe (tracheo-esophageal stripe) and is formed by the interface of trachea with oesophagus (instead of right lung).

Abnormal radiographic appearance

The normal appearance may be altered by  an esophageal carcinoma or lymphadenopathy.

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

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