The role of X-ray in the diagnosis of bronchitis

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Vu Thi Hau - Radiologist - Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine - Vinmec Times City International Hospital. The doctor has many years of experience in the field of diagnostic imaging including magnetic resonance, CT and ultrasound.
X-rays play a role in identifying abnormalities at different sites in the lungs. From the results of X-rays to help rule out or predict diseases, combined with other tests to help doctors to give the most accurate diagnosis.

1. What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a disease occurring in the lower respiratory tract manifested by inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes. Bronchitis is divided into 2 types:
Acute bronchitis: Usually takes place over a period of time. short, can last several weeks. Chronic bronchitis: It can last for months or years or years.

2. How to diagnose bronchitis

Symptoms of bronchitis include:
Bronchitis causing high fever. Appears persistent cough with phlegm that cannot be cured. Cough intermittently. Severe pain in the chest area. Occasionally, dyspnea, wheezing, and wheezing are present. Relying only on clinical diagnosis, sometimes, the disease cannot be clearly identified, leading to incorrect treatment. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to accurately diagnose whether you are suffering from bronchitis or not. Patients should take X-ray of bronchitis to check the extent of the disease, and help the doctor give the most appropriate treatment.

3. X-ray is meaningful in diagnosing bronchitis

X-ray is only used for subjects with severe symptoms and suspected more dangerous diseases of the respiratory tract (pneumonia, tuberculosis, ...) such as adults over 75 years old, with pulse rapid > 100 breaths/min, breathing rate > 24 breaths/min, has consolidation syndrome on lung examination,...
Based on chest X-ray results, doctors can see dangerous diseases comes from the lungs clearly: Specifically: Pneumonia, lung abscess, lung cancer. Once the disease is detected, the specialist doctors will have a timely treatment and treatment.

Usually, if the patient has bronchitis, the radiographs will show the bilateral bronchial branches to increase darkening (thickening of the bronchial walls). This increased coloration is the result of mucus accumulation caused by viruses, bacteria, or by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and reduced activity of the cilia in smokers.
In addition, there are a number of other signs showing abnormalities in the lungs and bronchi such as increased lung volume, blurred images of the border between blood vessels due to an inflammatory reaction around the two hilumes,...
Changes in the lung's ability to work will lead to changes in the normal structures of the lungs, this is shown on X-ray images. Therefore, it can be said that the image on the X-ray film reflects an abnormal change in the lung structure after a period of illness. Depending on the capacity and judgment of the doctor, the effectiveness of the diagnosis is determined.

4. Some other tests used in the diagnosis of bronchitis

In most cases, the doctor, after a clinical examination, will make a definitive diagnosis of the disease, and then prescribe treatment based on the symptoms of the disease. However, if after a period of time the treatment is not effective, The following tests are necessary: ​​
Blood tests: Peripheral blood leukocytes are elevated by 10,000 - 15,000/mm3, neutrophils are elevated, the leukocyte formula is left shift; Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a common result in bronchitis. Microbiological test: The examiner is asked to take a sputum sample to send to the laboratory. The test results can determine exactly what type of bacteria is causing the disease. From there, based on the antibiotic map to properly treat the bacteria that need to be destroyed and effectively treat the disease. Blood test is one of the tests performed in the General Health Checkup packages at Vinmec International General Hospital in addition to other tests. The package of health screening and general health examination of Vinmec International General Hospital is completely different from performing a regular health check. The program is scientifically and practically designed to approach your entire health condition, and at the same time, early detection, timely intervention and treatment in order to minimize the complications of diabetes. Critical illnesses threaten your life.

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