Abstract
This investigation of over one
hundred cases of cardiac conditions was carried
out in the Radiological Department of the
Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, and was only
rendered possible by the encouragement, advice
and facility generously given to me by
Dr. J.M. Woodburn Morison to whom I am deeply
indebted.
1. In a general way the valuable assistance which
Radiology offers to the clinician in the investigation of heart conditions is discussed,
stress. being laid upon the view that the lesser
degrees of cardiac enlargement can be infinitely more accurately recorded by Radiography thane
by any other method.
2. The technique of the examination of the heart
by X- -Rays, as employed in the Loyal Infirmary,
Edinburgh, is detailed.
3. Particular attention is drawn to the methods
employed in measuring the area of the heart
projection as obtained by teleradiography, the
writer being of the opinion that if the total
cardiac area, including the supracardiac and
aortic areas, is measured a more reasonable
estimate can be formed of both the major and
minor degrees of cardiac enlargement.
4. The question of relating the area of the heart
to the individual is discussed and the suggestion formulated that perhaps the most useful
relationship is found to exist between the surface area of the heart and the surface area of
the body, consideration being made for the age
of the individual.
5. Over one hundred cases are presented in a
classified series in which this relationship
has been worked out in each case. The results are considered to be interesting and in
all probability of some value to the clinician,
though it is apparent that many more cases must
be examined by this method before definite conclusions can be arrived at.
6. Some interesting cardiac conditions are included with notes on each case which demonstrate
the value of the X -Ray examination in the differential diagnosis of these conditions.
