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

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

The test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technician. Two views are usually taken: one in which the x-rays pass through the chest from the back (posterior-anterior view), and one in which the x-rays pass through the chest from one side to the other (lateral view). You stand in front of the machine and must hold your breath when the x-ray is taken.

Inform the health care provider if you are pregnant. Chest x-rays are generally avoided during the first six months of pregnancy. You must wear a hospital gown and remove all jewelry.

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

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

• A persistent cough
• Chest injury
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood
• Difficulty breathing

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

A serial chest x-ray (repeated) may be used to evaluate or monitor changes found on a previous chest x-ray.

Images

Coccidioidomycosis - chest x-ray

Pulmonary nodule - front view chest X-ray

Lung mass, right upper lung - chest X-ray

Sarcoid, stage IV - chest X-ray

Pulmonary mass - side view chest X-ray

Coal workers pneumoconiosis, complicated #2

Lung nodule - front view chest X-ray

Coal workers pneumoconiosis - stage II

Bronchial cancer - chest X-ray

Aortic rupture, chest X-ray

Adenocarcinoma - chest X-ray

Lung nodule, right middle lobe - chest X-ray

Sarcoid, stage II - chest X-ray

Tuberculosis, advanced - chest X-rays

Lung cancer, frontal chest X-ray

Coal worker's lungs - chest X-ray

Coal workers pneumoconiosis, complicated

Coal workers pneumoconiosis - stage II #2

Next Section

Chest x Results

Review Date: 08/13/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)