Lima Memorial Health System Logo
Approximate ER WAIT TIME
5

Health Library

Chest x-ray
     
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks

Chest x-ray

Chest radiography; Serial chest x-ray; X-ray - chest

 

A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.

How the Test is Performed

 

You stand in front of the x-ray machine. You will be told to hold your breath when the x-ray is taken.

Two images are usually taken. You will first need to stand facing the machine, and then sideways.

 

How to Prepare for the Test

 

Tell the health care provider if you are pregnant. Chest x-rays are generally not done during pregnancy, and special precautions are taken if they are needed.

 

How the Test will Feel

 

There is no discomfort. The imaging plate may feel cold.

 

Why the Test is Performed

 

Your provider may order a chest x-ray if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • A persistent cough
  • Chest pain from a chest injury (with a possible rib fracture or lung complication) or from heart problems
  • Coughing up blood
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fever

It may also be done if you have signs of tuberculosis, lung cancer, or other chest or lung diseases.

A serial chest x-ray is one that is repeated. It may be done to monitor changes found on a past chest x-ray.

 

What Abnormal Results Mean

 

Abnormal results may be due to many things, including:

In the lungs:

  • Collapsed lung
  • Collection of fluid around the lung
  • Lung tumor (noncancerous or cancerous)
  • Malformation of the blood vessels
  • Pneumonia
  • Scarring of lung tissue
  • Tuberculosis
  • Atelectasis

In the heart:

  • Problems with the size, position or shape of the heart
  • Problems with the position, size and shape of the large arteries
  • Evidence of heart failure

In the bones:

  • Fractures or other problems of the ribs and spine
  • Osteoporosis

In the mediastinum (middle part of the chest):

  • Enlargement, which might be related to infection or tumor

 

Risks

 

There is low radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the benefits outweigh the risks. Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of x-rays.

 

 

References

Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Chest radiography (chest x-ray, CXR) - diagnostic norm. In: Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures. 6th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:327-328.

Felker GM, Teerlink JR. Diagnosis and management of acute heart failure. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 49.

Jokerst CE, Gotway MB. Thoracic radiology: noninvasive diagnostic imaging. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 20.

BACK TO TOPText only

 
  • Aortic rupture - chest X-ray

    Aortic rupture - chest X-ray

    illustration

  • Lung cancer - frontal chest X-ray

    Lung cancer - frontal chest X-ray

    illustration

  • Adenocarcinoma - chest x-ray

    Adenocarcinoma - chest x-ray

    illustration

  • Coal worker's lungs - chest x-ray

    Coal worker's lungs - chest x-ray

    illustration

  • Coccidioidomycosis - chest X-ray

    Coccidioidomycosis - chest X-ray

    illustration

  • Coal workers pneumoconiosis - stage II

    Coal workers pneumoconiosis - stage II

    illustration

  • Coal workers pneumoconiosis - stage II

    Coal workers pneumoconiosis - stage II

    illustration

  • Coal workers pneumoconiosis, complicated

    Coal workers pneumoconiosis, complicated

    illustration

  • Coal workers pneumoconiosis, complicated

    Coal workers pneumoconiosis, complicated

    illustration

  • Tuberculosis, advanced - chest X-rays

    Tuberculosis, advanced - chest X-rays

    illustration

  • Pulmonary nodule - front view chest x-ray

    Pulmonary nodule - front view chest x-ray

    illustration

  • Sarcoid, stage II - chest X-ray

    Sarcoid, stage II - chest X-ray

    illustration

  • Sarcoid, stage IV - chest x-ray

    Sarcoid, stage IV - chest x-ray

    illustration

  • Pulmonary mass - side view chest X-ray

    Pulmonary mass - side view chest X-ray

    illustration

  • Bronchial cancer - chest X-ray

    Bronchial cancer - chest X-ray

    illustration

  • Lung nodule, right middle lobe - chest X-ray

    Lung nodule, right middle lobe - chest X-ray

    illustration

  • Lung mass, right upper lung - chest X-ray

    Lung mass, right upper lung - chest X-ray

    illustration

  • Lung nodule - front view chest X-ray

    Lung nodule - front view chest X-ray

    illustration

    • Aortic rupture - chest X-ray

      Aortic rupture - chest X-ray

      illustration

    • Lung cancer - frontal chest X-ray

      Lung cancer - frontal chest X-ray

      illustration

    • Adenocarcinoma - chest x-ray

      Adenocarcinoma - chest x-ray

      illustration

    • Coal worker's lungs - chest x-ray

      Coal worker's lungs - chest x-ray

      illustration

    • Coccidioidomycosis - chest X-ray

      Coccidioidomycosis - chest X-ray

      illustration

    • Coal workers pneumoconiosis - stage II

      Coal workers pneumoconiosis - stage II

      illustration

    • Coal workers pneumoconiosis - stage II

      Coal workers pneumoconiosis - stage II

      illustration

    • Coal workers pneumoconiosis, complicated

      Coal workers pneumoconiosis, complicated

      illustration

    • Coal workers pneumoconiosis, complicated

      Coal workers pneumoconiosis, complicated

      illustration

    • Tuberculosis, advanced - chest X-rays

      Tuberculosis, advanced - chest X-rays

      illustration

    • Pulmonary nodule - front view chest x-ray

      Pulmonary nodule - front view chest x-ray

      illustration

    • Sarcoid, stage II - chest X-ray

      Sarcoid, stage II - chest X-ray

      illustration

    • Sarcoid, stage IV - chest x-ray

      Sarcoid, stage IV - chest x-ray

      illustration

    • Pulmonary mass - side view chest X-ray

      Pulmonary mass - side view chest X-ray

      illustration

    • Bronchial cancer - chest X-ray

      Bronchial cancer - chest X-ray

      illustration

    • Lung nodule, right middle lobe - chest X-ray

      Lung nodule, right middle lobe - chest X-ray

      illustration

    • Lung mass, right upper lung - chest X-ray

      Lung mass, right upper lung - chest X-ray

      illustration

    • Lung nodule - front view chest X-ray

      Lung nodule - front view chest X-ray

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

          Tests for Chest x-ray

           
           

          Review Date: 7/31/2022

          Reviewed By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron, Jr. Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

          The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
          © 1997- adam.comAll rights reserved.