Chest Radiography (X-ray)

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How should I prepare for the procedure?

This procedure requires no special preparation. Women should always inform their doctor or x-ray technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.

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What does the x-ray equipment look like?

The most common radiography equipment used for chest x-rays consists of a box-like apparatus containing the recording material—such as film or a digital recording plate against which the individual places his/her chest—and the apparatus containing the x-ray tube, usually positioned about six feet away. In some instances, the radiography equipment consists of a large, flat table with a drawer that holds an x-ray film cassette or a digital recording plate. With this arrangement, the x-ray tube is suspended above the table.

An example of the radiography equipment that may be used is shown at the top of this page.

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How does the procedure work?

Radiography involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of radiation to produce an image of the internal organs. When x-rays penetrate the body, they are absorbed in varying amounts by different parts of the anatomy. The ribs and spine, for example, absorb much of the radiation and appear white or light gray on the image. Lung tissue absorbs little radiation and appears dark on the image. Depending upon the type of image-recording medium, chest x-rays can be maintained as hard copy film for filing or, more commonly, as filmless digital images that are archived electronically. Digital images can also be transferred for storage onto CD-ROM. Stored images may be used to compare with later images if illness develops. Indeed, historical comparison films are often very important in the decision process as to whether a finding is clinically important or not.

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How is the procedure performed?

Patients must remove their clothing, including undergarments that may contain metal. Most medical centers will give the patient a loose-fitting gown to wear. Patients will also be asked to remove all metallic jewelry that may interfere with the x-rays. Normally, a frontal or posteroanterior view is obtained, in which the patient stands with the chest pressed to the photographic plate, with hands on hips and elbows pushed in front in a somewhat exaggerated position. The technologist will ask the patient to be still and to take a deep breath and hold it. Breath-holding after a deep breath reduces the possibility of a blurred image and also enhances the quality of the x-ray image, since abnormalities in air-filled lungs are easier to see than in deflated lungs. Next, the technologist walks into a cubicle or small room to activate the radiographic equipment, which sends a beam of x-rays from the x-ray source behind the patient, through the patient's chest, to the recording medium (film or digital cassette). Some equipment is designed to accommodate patients who cannot stand for chest x-rays.

The technologist may need to take additional views to properly see all parts of the chest or may take a side view, or lateral view, of the chest. For a lateral view, the patient stands sideways to the photographic plate with arms elevated, and the process is repeated. Views from other angles may be obtained if the radiologist needs to evaluate additional areas of the chest. Finally, a chest x-ray may be repeated within hours, days or months to evaluate for any changes. These repeated, sequential examinations are called serial chest x-rays.

When the chest x-rays are completed you will be asked to wait until the technologist checks the images for motion and makes sure that the entire chest is included. Ultimately, a radiologist will interpret the chest x-ray images using a lighted view box to review films or a computer and monitor to review digital images.

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What will I experience during the x-ray procedure?

This is a painless procedure. The primary discomfort may come from the coldness of the recording plate. Individuals with arthritis or injuries to the chest wall, shoulders or arms may have discomfort trying to maintain position for the chest x-ray. In these circumstances, the technologist will assist you in finding a position that still ensures diagnostic image quality.

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Who interprets the results and how do I get them?

A radiologist, who is a physician specifically trained to supervise and interpret radiology examinations, will analyze the images and send a signed report with his or her interpretation to your primary care physician or other health care provider, who will inform you of your test results. New communications technology also allows for confidential distribution of diagnostic reports and digital images over the Internet at many facilities.

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What are the benefits vs. risks?

Benefits

A physician may recommend a chest x-ray for a patient with shortness of breath, a bad or persistent cough, chest pain or a chest injury. In the instances of pneumonia, the site of pneumonia will appear white on the image.

A chest x-ray may also show advanced emphysema as well as other diffuse lung conditions, such as pulmonary fibrosis.

Lung cancers and tumors that spread to the lung may be visible on chest x-ray. However, lesions that are small or superimposed on normal structures may not always be visible.

Heart irregularities, such as fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion), an enlarged heart, or abnormal heart anatomy or congestive heart failure may also be visible on a chest x-ray.

Pleural effusions (fluid around the lungs) on one or both sides can be detected. Usually the cause of such fluid may be deduced from clinical data or other findings on the chest x-ray but it may be necessary to sample the fluid to determine its cause.

Risks

X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, are invisible and create no sensation when they pass through the body. The chest x-ray is one of the lowest radiation exposure medical examinations performed today.

Special care is taken during chest x-ray examinations to ensure maximum safety for the patient by paying attention to correct x-ray beam energies. Shielding the abdomen and pelvis with a lead apron helps reduce unnecessary radiation to the abdomen and pelvis. Women should always inform their doctor or x-ray technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.

The effective radiation dose from this procedure is about 0.1 mSv, which is about the same as the average person receives from background radiation in 10 days.

See the Safety page for more information about radiation dose.

Radiation risks are further minimized by:

Technique standards established by national and international guidelines that have been designed and are continually reviewed by national and international radiology protection councils.

Modern, state-of-the-art x-ray systems that have tightly controlled x-ray beams with significant x-ray beam filtration and dose control methods. Thus, stray or scatter radiation is minimized and those parts of a patient's body not being imaged receive minimal exposure.

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What are the limitations of Chest Radiography?

The chest x-ray is a very useful examination, but has limitations. Some conditions of the chest will not show up on the image. Therefore, a normal chest x-ray does not necessarily rule out all problems in the chest. For example, patients with asthma exacerbations can have a normal chest x-ray. There are some cancers that are too small or are difficult to visualize and may not be identified. Blood clots to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) cannot be seen on chest x-rays and require additional study.

A chest CT may be requested to further clarify a finding seen on the chest x-ray or to look for an abnormality not visible on a chest x-ray in order to answer the clinical problem. The degree of involvement of the lung, as well as the distribution of disease, and anatomic location may be better evaluated with chest CT, helping aid the diagnosis. Some diseases, such as chronic lung disease, are frequently evaluated with HRCT (high-resolution CT).

The chest x-ray and the physical examination should be correlated. The information each procedure provides can give the physician a clearer understanding of the patient's health.

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To locate a medical imaging or radiation oncology provider in your community, you can search the ACR-accredited facilities database.

This procedure is reviewed by a physician with expertise in the area presented and is further reviewed by committees from the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), comprising physicians with expertise in several radiologic areas.