Chest Radiograph

The chest x-ray is the most commonly performed diagnostic x-ray examination. A chest x-ray makes images of the heart,lungs, airways, blood vessels and the bones of the spine and chest.

anatomy of chest

PA PROJECTION : CHEST

Pathology Demonstrated:

-pleural effusions

-pneumothorax

-atelectasis

-signs of infection

Technical Factors:

-IR size 35x43 cm (14x17 inches)

-moving or stationary grid

-110-125 kV range

-mAs 3-4

Shielding :

-lead shielding around the waist or adjustable mobile shield on a stand behind the patient

Patient position:

-patient in erect , feet spreed slighty , weight distributed equally on both feet

-chin raised , resting against IR

-hands on lower hips , palms out elbow partially flexed

-shouders rotated forward against IR to allow scapulae to move

Laterally clear of lung fields. Shoulders depressed downward to move clavicle below the apices

Part position

-alig midsaggital plane with CR and to midline of IR with equal

Margins between lateral thorax and sides of IR

-Ensure no rotation to thorax

-raise or lower CR and IR as needed to the level of T7 for average patient.

(top of IR will be 1.5 to 2 inches ,or 4 to 5 cm , above shouders on ost average patient.)

Central Ray

-CR perpendicular to IR and centered to midsaggital plane at level of T7 (7 to 8 inches or 18 to 20 cm ,below vertebra prominens or to inferior angel of scapula)

-IR centered to CR

-SID of 72 inches (180 cm)

Collimation

-collimate on four sides to area of lung field.(top borders of illuminated field should be to level of vertebra prominens and lateral borders to outer skin margins.)

 Respiration

-exposure made at end of second full inspiration 

radiographic image of chest X-Ray

video of Chest radiograph positioning

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