Chest x-ray

Zakarya alrazhi
B.Sc. in Rad. Technology (AAU)
M.Sc. in Medical Diagnostic imaging(UMST)
 Anatomy of the Chest
and respiratory system
 Chest
radiography
Introduction
 Radiographic examination of the lungs is performed for a wide

variety of medical conditions, including primary lung disease

and other pulmonary changes may affect appearance of lung

and mediastinum.

 In addition evaluation and assessment of heart size and shape.

Positioning
 Most of chest x-ray taken in Posteroanterior ,erect
position.

 Selection of PA projection for following reasons:

1- Eable the scapulae to be projected clear of the

lung fields.

2- Heart magnification is also reduced significantly

compared with the antero-posterior projection.
3- compression of breast tissue with an associated
reduction in dose to the breast tissue.
Distance
 Distance between source of x-ray and image receptor

should be at least 180cm. Specially for pre-operative

assessment.

 The main purpose of this distance to reduce magnification

of heart and mediastinum.

Clinical Indications
• A 90° perspective from
PA may demonstrate
pathology situated
posterior to the
heart, great vessels, and
sternum.
 How to read a chest X-ray

 Looking at X-ray films as part of the pre-operative assessment .

 Listed below is the outline of a method which can be applied to

read chest X-rays.

 Before reading any x-ray film correct hanging of film is the first

step in film interpretation then looking at patient and examination

information then analyze film as following:

From apices of lung to costophrenic angle
Anatomical structures assessment
Assessment of heart size
Mediastinum assessment
What About
This
Radiograph?
??
Thank you