Chest X-rays

What is a chest X-ray?

A chest X-ray refers to an imaging test that utilizes X-rays to glance at the structures as well as organs in the chest. It can aid healthcare providers in seeing how well the lungs and heart are working. Certain cardiac problems can cause modifications in the lungs. Certain diseases can cause alterations in the structure of the heart or lungs.

Chest X-rays can show healthcare providers the size, shape, and location of the following:

Bronchi
Heart
Aorta
Lungs
Pulmonary arteries
Bones of chest
Middle chest area (mediastinum)

It utilises a small quantity of radiation to make pictures of these areas.

Need of a chest X-ray

Healthcare providers may suggest a chest X-ray to assess how well the heart or lungs are working. The patient may require a chest X-ray if it is suspected that the patient has any of the following:

An enlarged heart can mean the patient has a congenital heart defect or cardiomyopathy.
Collection of fluid in the cavity between the lungs and the chest wall (pleural effusion).
Broken bone
Expansion of the aorta or another major blood vessel (known as an aneurysm).
Diaphragm that has moved out of place (hernia)
Hardening of a heart valve/aorta (calcification)
Pneumonia or another lung problem
Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) can mean the patient has congestive heart failure.
Inflammation of the membrane lining the lungs (known as pleuritis).
Tumors or cancer

The patient may also require a chest X-ray:

As part of a complete physical examination or prior to the patient having surgery.
To check on manifestations related to the heart or lungs.
It is to see how healthy treatment works or how a disease progresses.
To check on lungs and chest cavity post-surgery
To see where implanted pacemaker wires as well as other internal devices are located.

These other devices comprise central venous catheters, endotracheal tubes, chest tubes, and nasogastric tubes.

Preparing for an X-ray

Patients don't typically require anything special to prepare for an X-ray. Patients can ingest food items, drink liquids beforehand, and continue taking usual medications.
However, patients may be required to stop taking certain medications and avoid ingesting food and drinking for a few hours if the patient has an X-ray that utilizes a contrast agent.
For all X-rays, a female patient should inform the hospital if she is pregnant. X-rays aren't usually recommended if a female is pregnant unless it's an emergency.
It's a superb idea to wear loose, comfortable attire, as the patient may be able to wear these during the X-ray. Avoid wearing jewellery and clothes comprising metal (like zips), as these will required to be taken out.

Having an X-ray

Usually, patients undergoing an X-ray will be instructed to either lie on a table or stand against a flat surface to make sure proper positioning of the body part being examined.
The X-ray machine, resembling a tube with a large light bulb, will be carefully directed at the area of the body under examination by the radiographer. They will control the machine from behind a screen or from an adjoining room.
The X-ray will last for a fraction of a second. Patient won't feel anything while it's carried out.
During the X-ray procedure, it's essential for the patient to remain motionless to ensure a clear image is captured. Multiple X-rays may be taken from various angles to gather comprehensive information.
The procedure will typically only take a few minutes.

Contrast X-rays

In certain situations, prior to performing an X-ray, a contrast agent may be administered. This substance assists in enhancing the visibility of soft tissues on the X-ray image.

Types of X-rays involving a contrast agent comprise:

In barium swallow – a substance known as barium is swallowed to aid highlight the upper digestive system
In barium enema – barium is passed into bowel through bottom
In angiography - iodine is injected into a blood vessel to visualize the heart and blood vessels.
In intravenous urogram (IVU) - iodine is injected into a blood vessel to emphasize the kidneys and bladder.

These types of X-rays may require special preparation beforehand and will typically take longer to carry out.

What happens after an X-ray?

Patient won't experience any aftereffects from a standard X-ray and will be able to go home in short duration. Patient can return to routine activities straight away.
Patient may have some temporary side effects from the contrast agent if one was utilised during X-ray.
For example, barium can turn a patient's poo a whitish colour for a few days and an injection given to relax tummy prior to the X-ray may cause eyesight to be blurry for a few hours. Some patients develop a rash or feel sick post having an iodine injection.
The X-ray images will often require to be examined by a doctor called a radiologist before the results are shared with patient.
They might communicate their observations either on the same day or forward a report to the patient's GP or the referring doctor, who can then discuss the results with the patient a few days later.

Are X-rays safe?

Patients frequently express apprehension regarding radiation exposure during an X-ray. Nonetheless, the portion of the patient's body undergoing examination will only experience brief exposure to low levels of radiation, typically lasting for a fraction of a second.
Usually, the amount of radiation a patient is exposed to during an X-ray is equivalent to a few days and a few years of exposure to natural radiation from the surrounding.
Exposure to X-rays does entail a potential risk of cancer development several years or even decades later, although this risk is extremely low.
Take, for instance, an X-ray of the chest, limbs, or teeth, which is comparable to several days' worth of background radiation and carries a less than 1 in 1,000,000 risks of inducing cancer.

Risks of a chest X-ray

The risks of radiation exposure may be associated to the number of X-rays patients have and their X-ray treatments over time.
Radiation exposure during pregnancy may lead to congenital defects.
Patients may have other risks depending on specific health conditions.

In a nutshell, Chest X-rays are an imaging tool that healthcare providers commonly utilize to diagnose conditions impacting the heart, lungs, blood vessels, airways, and other structures in the chest. This non-invasive test provides pictures that depict details about bones, organs, and tissues.

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