Right paraspinal line

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 :​

• osteophytes
• mediastinal fat
• posterior mediastinal or spinal pathology
  • hematoma: often from traumatic vertebral fractures
  • malignancy: especially neurogenic tumors
  • infection
  • lymphadenopathy
  • extramedullary hematopoiesis

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph

• seen on ~25% of frontal chest x-rays
• appears as a straight vertical line in close approximation to the right-side of T8 to T12 vertebral levels
• paraspinal lines project below the diaphragm

CT

• identifiable ~5 mm right lateral to the spine