The Normal Roentgenographic Measurement of the Right Descending Pulmonary Artery in 1,085 Cases and Its Clinical Application. Part II. Clinical Application of the Measurement of the Right Descending Pulmonary Artery in the Radiological Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertensions from Various Causes

The dilatation of pulmonary artery and increased measurement of the right descending pulmonary artery is a most reliable roentgen sign of pulmonary hypertension.Measurement of the right descending pulmonary artery on the routine posteroanterior view of chest, especially in inspiration and expiration is absolutely necessary in making the roentgenological diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension.To determine an abnormal measurement of the right descending pulmonary artery this author's normal value for the right descending pulmonary artery size is most important.The purpose of this Part II is to report the radiological diagnosis of pulmonary hypertensions from various etiologies and other abnormal hemo dynamics in pulmonary circulation by using this author's technique of measurement of the right descending pulmonary artery on the routine posteroanterior view of the chest. PULMONARY HYPERTENSION IN ADVANCED SOFT COAL MINER'S PNEUMOCONIOSISThe presence of pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale in advanced chronic lung disease, especially in soft coal miner's pneumoconiosis is a well known fact.The diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension can be made on the routine posteroanterior chest roentgenogram by measuring the right descending pulmonary artery.Inspiratory and expiratory measurement is most helpful in doubtful or borderline cases.A representative case is illustrated as follows:CASE REPORT Case 1. P. L. This is a 55 year old negro male who has been working in the coal mmes for the past 25 years.Since one year ago he has been