What is a Chest X-ray - and Why Are They Done?

What is a Chest X-ray – and Why Are They Done?

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Young man suffering from painful chest pain from a chronic disease.

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What is a chest x-ray | why are they done?

In this article we will describe what is a chest xray – and why and how are they done.

A chest x-ray is a painless non-invasive medical imaging test used to take pictures of the lungs, heart, and surrounding tissues. It is still a very common, reliable and safe investigation.

Why is a chest x-ray done?

A chest x-ray is done to diagnose and monitor conditions affecting the lungs, heart, and bones by providing a view of the internal structures.

It is used for a wide range of reasons, such as investigating symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath, checking for infections like pneumonia, evaluating heart problems like an enlarged heart or heart failure, and screening for lung cancer.

It’s also used to check the placement of medical devices, like nasogastric tubes, and to monitor healing after surgery or injury.

How is a chest x-ray done?

Preparation

You will be asked to remove any clothing or jewellery from your upper body
You may be given a hospital gown to wear
Inform the technician (called a radiographer) if you are pregnant or have any medical implants.

Positioning

You stand (usually) or sit in front of the x-ray machine
Your chest will be positioned against the image receptor (a digital plate or film).
Your arms will be raised above your head or to your sides.

Taking the x-ray

Hold your breath and remain still for a few seconds
The technician will activate the x-ray machine, which will emit a low-level radiation beam
The beam passes through your chest, creating an image on the digital plate or film.

The x-ray plate is touching the patients chest, with the x-rays coming from behind (called ‘posterior’).

Views

Typically, two views are taken (as shown above):
- Posteroanterior (PA) view: taken from the back to the front
- Lateral view: taken from the side.

After the test

The technician will review the images for quality
You will be free to go once the test is complete
A radiologist (x-ray doctor) will interpret the images and send the results to your doctor.

Remember, a chest x-ray is a quick and painless test that helps doctors diagnose and monitor various medical illnesses, such as lung diseases (including cancer), and heart conditions.