INDICATIONS

• To rule out cause of cough , shortness of breath , chest pain
• Lung conditions such as Pneumonia, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, Cystic fibrosis, Tuberculosis, Lung cancer
• Trauma to chest, such as rib fractures or lung damage
• Cardiac problems such as Enlarged heart, Cardiac failure, pulmonary edema
• Confirm whether a tube, catheter, or other medical device has been placed in the proper position in an airway, the heart, blood vessels of the chest, or the stomach

TECHNOLOGY USED IN X RAY CHEST

X ray are form of ionising radiation that produce images of the body. When x ray pass through the body then they are absorbed by the body parts depending on the density of the part. Body parts oh high density like bones show up white on X ray while organs like Lung show up black .In some X rays contrast medium like barium is given to provide better contrast

HOW IS X RAY CHEST TEST PERFORMED

You will need to remove any jewellery, eyeglasses, body piercings, or other metal on your body. The X-ray will be performed in a special room with a movable X-ray camera attached to a large metal arm. You will stand next to a "plate." This plate may contain X-ray film or a special sensor that records the images on a computer. The X-ray technician will tell you how to stand and will record both front and side views of your chest. While the images are taken, you'll be asked to hold your breath so that stay completely still-if you move, the images might turn out blurry. Method of X ray differ from part to part as per anatomical requirement

WHY IS X RAY CHEST TEST DONE

Chest

• Lungs - Pneumonia , Tuberculosis
• Breast tumour ( Mammography )
• Heart for Congestive Heart Failure ( CHF )

Abdomen

Digestive system problems with use of Barium as contrast medium (Barium study)

Bone

• Fractures
• Osteomyelitis
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Bone tumours

Dental

To look for decay and other anatomical problems

X RAY CHEST TEST RISKS

Radiation exposure

Generally the exposure of radiation in X ray is low but in certain cases it is avoided as ionizing radiation are known to cause mutation .Generally in pregnant females X ray are contraindicated provided Risk to Benefit ratio is taken into account . However ultrasound is advised in pregnant females

Contrast medium

In certain cases contrast medium can cause -

• Nausea
• Metallic taste
• Itching
• Feeling of warmth in flushing