Review areas on chest x-ray

Review areas on a chest x-ray are common areas for missed findings, and special attention should be paid to them:

• lung apices: masses (e.g. Pancoast tumor), pneumothorax
• pulmonary hilum: mass, lymphadenopathy, vessel enlargement
• behind the heart: consolidation, masses, hiatus hernia
• below the diaphragm: free gas, lines and tubes (e.g. nasogastric tube), gastric distension, bowel obstruction
• bones and soft tissues: fractures, masses, mastectomy, subcutaneous emphysema, evidence of previous surgery (e.g. axillary clips)