Chest x-ray - an approach (summary)

This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists

Chest x-ray review is a key competency for medical students, junior doctors and other allied health professionals. Chest radiographs are frequently performed and a fantastic tool for making diagnoses of acute and chronic conditions, as well as acting as a tool for follow-up.

Reference article

This is a summary article; we do not have a more in-depth reference article.

Summary

• be systematic
  • get into a habit
  • do the same thing every time
• initial review
  • who, what, why, where and when
  • quality
• lines and tubes
  • always review lines and tubes first
    • endotracheal (ET) tube
    • nasogastric (NG) tube
    • central venous catheters
    • any other lines and tubes, e.g. chest drains
• A, B, C, D, E
  • airway
  • breathing (lungs and pleural spaces)
  • circulation (cardiomediastinum)
  • disability (bones... think fracture)
  • exposure (everything else)