Chest X-ray (cont.)
How is the chest X-ray 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. The view from the
side is called a lateral chest X-ray. Occasionally, different angles are added in order for the
radiologist to interpret certain specific areas of the chest.
The radiology technologist or technician is a trained, certified assistant to
the radiologist who will help the patient during the X-ray and actually perform
the X-ray test procedure. 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.
How do doctors interpret chest X-rays?
A radiologist is a physician specialist trained to interpret images of the
body produced on films. After the films are produced by the technician they are
developed and reviewed by the radiologist for interpretation. After the
radiologist reviews the chest X-ray, occasionally further images or angles may
be necessary. Once all the films have been reviewed by the radiologist, a report
is generated which is transmitted to the ordering practitioner.
The doctors interpreting the films place the films in front of a source of
light for better visualization of the shadows on the chest X-ray. This usually
consists of a fluorescent light source placed in metal box and covered by a
white plastic.
More recently, newer technology has replaced this old reading technique in
many health care facilities and radiology offices. This advanced technology has
eliminated the need for the actual physical films to be placed on a light box
for interpretation. The images, once taken and developed, are uploaded into a
computer with special software that enables digital images to be viewed on a
computer screen. The doctor can look at the images on the screen, interpret the
results, and comment on the computer all within minutes after the images were
taken.
Additionally, this technology may allow for ability to look at any previous
images taken from the same patient. It also essentially eliminates the
possibility of lost X-rays and speeds up the interpretation of X-rays, and the
communication between doctors about the results.
Next: Where are chest X-ray's performed? »
- CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) - CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography, CAT scan) is a procedure that assists in diagnosing tumors, fractures, bony structures, and infections in the organs and tissues of the body.
- Pneumonia - Learn pneumonia symptoms, causes, treatment, signs, diagnosis and types: viral and bacterial (Pneumocystis carinii, Klebsiella, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia pneumoniae).
- Arthroscopy - Read about arthroscopy, a procedure with few complications that uses a tube-like device to examine, diagnose and treat a joint (knee, hip, wrist, shoulder, ankle, jaw).
Latest Medical News
Heart RSS