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
- always review lines and tubes first
- A, B, C, D, E
- airway
- breathing (lungs and pleural spaces)
- circulation (cardiomediastinum)
- disability (bones... think fracture)
- exposure (everything else)
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