• What is a chest x-ray?
• How is the procedure performed?
• What are the risks of a chest x-ray?
• How does the patient obtain the results of the x-ray?
• Chest X-Ray At A Glance

What is a chest x-ray?

A chest x-ray is a radiology test that involves exposing the chest briefly to radiation to produce an image of the chest and the internal organs of the chest. An x-ray film is positioned against the body opposite the camera, which sends out a very small dose of a radiation beam. As the radiation penetrates the body, it is absorbed in varying amounts by different body tissues. Bones, for example, absorb much of the x-ray radiation while lung tissue absorbs very little, allowing most of the x-ray beam to pass through the lung. Due to the differences in their composition (and, therefore, varying degrees of penetration of the x-ray beam), the lungs, heart, aorta, and bones of the chest each can be distinctly visualized. The x-ray film records these differences to produce an image of body tissue structures.

A chest x-ray can be used to define abnormalities of the lungs such as excessive fluid, pneumonia , bronchitis , asthma , cysts, and cancers. Heart abnormalities, including fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion), an enlarged heart, heart failure, or abnormal anatomy of the heart can be revealed on the films. Certain bony structures of the chest, and broken bones or abnormalities of the bones of the spine (vertebrae) in the chest can often be seen. A chest x-ray is a safe procedure which is commonly used both in annual physical exams and evaluations of patients before certain surgical operations.

How is the procedure performed?

Patients obtaining a chest x-ray will often be requested to use an x-ray gown, and extra metallic objects such as jewelry are removed from the chest and/or neck areas. These objects can block x-ray penetration, making the result less accurate. Patients may be asked to take a deep breath and hold it during the chest x-ray in order to inflate the lungs to their maximum, which increases the visibility of different tissues within the chest. The chest x-ray procedure often involves a view from the back to the front of the body as well as a view from the side. Occasionally, different angles are added in order for the radiologist to interpret certain specific areas of the chest. The radiology technologist is a trained, certified assistant to the radiologist who will help the patient during the x-ray and actually perform the x-ray test. After the chest x-ray is taken and recorded on the x-ray film, the film is placed into a developing machine, and this picture (which is essentially a photographic negative) is examined and interpreted by the radiologist.

What are the risks of a chest x-ray?

Chest x-rays expose the patient briefly to a minimum amount of radiation. Any radiation exposure has some risk to the tissues of the body. The radiation exposure in a chest x-ray is minimized by the type of x-ray high-speed film, which does not require as much radiation exposure as in the past. The radiology technician is guided by technique standards which have been established by national and international guidelines. These guidelines are designed and reviewed by both the Department of Health and Human Services and national and international radiology protection councils. Women who are pregnant, especially in early pregnancy, should notify their physicians, as the fetus is at risk for harm with any radiology technique.

How does the patient obtain the results of the x-ray?

A radiologist is a physician specialist trained to interpret images of the body produced on film. After the radiologist reviews the chest x-ray, occasionally further images or angles are necessary and obtained. Once all the films have been reviewed by the radiologist, a report is generated which is transmitted to the ordering practitioner. The practitioner then can review the results of the chest x-ray with the patient as it relates to their particular symptoms or condition.

Chest X-Ray At A Glance

• A chest x-ray is most commonly used to detect abnormalities in the lungs, but can also detect abnormalities in the heart, aorta, and the bones of the thoracic area.
• Extra metallic objects, such as jewelry are removed from the chest and neck areas for a chest x-ray to avoid interference with x-ray penetration and improve accuracy of the interpretation.

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