Right paraspinal line

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 18 Mar 2020

The right paraspinal (also known as the paraspinous or paravertebral) line (or stripe) is a feature of frontal chest x-rays and is formed by the interface of the right lung and the posterior mediastinal soft tissue. 

The right paraspinal line can be laterally displaced by a range of posterior mediastinal pathology 1-3:​

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph
  • seen on ~25% of frontal chest x-rays 1,3
  • appears as a straight vertical line in close approximation to the right-side of T8 to T12 vertebral levels 1,2
  • paraspinal lines project below the diaphragm 2
CT
  • identifiable ~5 mm right lateral to the spine 1

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