Chest radiograph
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was changed:
The chest radiograph (CXR) is the most ubiquitous radiological investigation.
Indications
The chest radiograph is performed for a broad content of indications, including but not limited to 1-4:
- respiratory disease
- cardiac disease
- haemoptysis
- suspected pulmonary embolism
- investigation of tuberculosis
- pneumonia
- pneumothorax
- suspected metastasis
- follow up of known disease to assess progress
- chronic
dyspneadyspnoea - trauma
- evaluation of symptoms that could relate to cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems
- thoracic disease processes
- monitoring of patients in intensive care units
- post-operative imaging
Projections
Standard projections
-
PA view
- is performed standing and in full inspiration
- it examines the lungs, bony thoracic cavity, mediastinum and great vessels
-
lateral view
- performed erect left lateral
- ideal for localisation of suspected lung lesions when taken in conjunction with the PA view
- examines the retrosternal and retrocardiac spaces
Additional projections
Other forms of the chest radiographs are performed in a variety of clinical scenarios, usually if the patient is unable to tolerate a standing PA radiograph:
-
AP erect
- sitting up on the bed; can be performed outside the radiology department, by a mobile X-ray unit
-
supine
- usually for trauma and ICU patients
-
lateral decubitus
- for pneumothorax, air trapping due to inhaled foreign bodies, and showing and quantifying pleural effusions
-
expiration view
- for pneumothorax and air trapping due to inhaled foreign bodies
-
lordotic view
- demonstrates areas of the lung apices that appear obscured on thePA/AP chest radiographic views
-
right anterior oblique (RAO)/left anterior oblique (LAO) view
- for rib fractures and intrathoracic lesions (LAO also used routinely used in barium esophagography)
-
ribs AP view
- for suspected posterior rib fractures
-
ribs PA view
- for suspected anterior rib fractures
-
sternum lateral view
- a lateral projection often used to query fractures or infection
-
sternum oblique view
- an RAO projection that is orthogonal to the lateral sternum view
Patient preparation
The patient should be asked to remove all clothing and jewellery from the waist up and dress in a hospital gown. Long hair should be worn up.
-<li>chronic dyspnea </li>- +<li><a title="chronic dyspnoea " href="/articles/chronic-dyspnoea">chronic dyspnoea </a></li>
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