Physiotherapy chest x-rays
Introduction
Chest x-rays are often used to confirm or exclude pathologies and diagnoses suggested by subjective and objective examinations. When interpreting chest x-rays it is important to remember you are viewing a 2 dimensional representation of a 3 dimensional structure; some pathologies may therefore by hidden or disguised by overlying lung tissue.
It is also important to remember chest x-ray findings may lag a couple of days behind the clinical picture. It is not uncommon for patients to clinically present with signs of a chest infection or pneumonia but radiological changes of consolidation may not be evident for 24-48 hours post onset of symptoms.
The analysis and interpretation of chest x-rays can appear daunting initially but with continued exposure and practice becomes easier.
It is often useful to develop a systematic approach to analysing chest x-rays rather than trying to diagnose the problem straight away. This serves to focus the interpreter under stressful conditions (clinical assessment on the ward, or an exam!) and also ensures subtle pathologies and problems are not missed.
