What is a straight chest x-ray? Are there any downsides?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Trinh Thi Phuong Nga - Radiologist - Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine - Vinmec Times City International Hospital. The doctor has nearly 20 years of experience in diagnostic imaging.
X-ray of the lungs is one of the laboratory methods used to diagnose in most diseases today. There are many positions for chest X-ray depending on the purpose of X-ray in different pathological cases, however, straight chest X-ray is the most common and used chest X-ray position. indicated in most common diseases.

1. Chest X-ray

Chest X-ray is the most popular diagnostic imaging technique today, allowing to capture images of the heart, lungs, airway structures, large blood vessels, mediastinal opacities, chest wall... . to contribute to the diagnosis of some diseases related to the heart and lungs. X-ray chest x-ray using X-rays is a form of radioactive energy capable of penetrating the internal organs of the body and recording images at these locations, is a subclinical method that can can observe the internal parts of the body that cannot be seen and examined by the naked eye.
In the X-ray room, the patient will be asked to stand in front of a screen containing X-ray film or possibly a receiver to record images that X-rays can pass through. The chest radiograph will begin to project X-rays towards the patient's chest so that the X-rays can pass through and produce an image at the screen.

Clinically, depending on the purpose of the survey as well as different pathological cases, there will be different requirements for chest X-ray, so there are a number of X-ray methods as follows:
: Performed in a dark room or a television light, during the procedure, the patient will be asked to breathe as well as turn around to be able to investigate some problems related to breathing movement. as well as the movement of the diaphragm, besides can also show the patient's heart beat. Projection method is indicated mainly for patients with pericardial effusion - Currently very little used because there are many safer and more effective alternatives. Straight lung imaging method: Performed when the patient is standing, the image is directed from back to front, if in case the patient has some health problems, he or she may not be able to stand, it may be required to take a chest radiograph. Fowler pose. Tilt chest radiography: Indicated for the purpose of finding lesions that cannot be identified when performing a straight pleural angiogram, depending on the various suspicious signs, the treating doctor will assign the patient to tilt according to the following criteria: different sides to get the best movie results. Other methods include contrast-pump bronchoscopy, computed tomography, or high-voltage angiography.

2. What is a straight chest X-ray?

Straight chest X-ray is an X-ray technique that is very commonly used in clinical practice to find abnormal diseases in the heart, lungs as well as some other nearby organs in the chest. A straight chest X-ray is like a general X-ray, using the energy of X-rays to pass through deep tissues in the body to record images, this level of recognition corresponds to the level of radiation. Absorbing X-rays of certain organs, the images received on the X-ray film will have different density.
Some of the main roles of chest X-ray, straight lung are:
Find abnormalities in the lungs, such as signs of infection or a cancer in the lungs. Detecting abnormalities in the lungs that are caused by cardiovascular disease, can be the image of fluid accumulation in the lungs causing the lungs to swell. Investigate the shape and size of the heart, find out cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, congenital heart disease, pericardial effusion or heart valve regurgitation. damage to heart valves, myocardium and some other structures such as coronary vessels, protective sacs... In particular, when calcium is present in the lungs, it can be thought of as a sign of previous infection, or some new and more dangerous disease occurs. Monitor the patient's recovery after surgery on organs such as lungs, heart, esophagus...

A straight chest X-ray can be done to penetrate the organs in the chest in a variety of ways. In the thorax, there are often rib organizations or some other upper limb bones that have a thick structure, along with other radiation blocks that will less absorb X-rays, so on X-ray films, these organs This will usually be white. The heart is also an organ that has the ability to block some radiation emitted from the X-ray projector, so it partially blocks these rays from passing through, so on the X-ray film, the heart will appear pale white. . Because the lung is a gas-filled organ inside, it absorbs X-rays very well, giving a black image on the X-ray film.
One thing to note when taking a straight chest X-ray is that the patient is taken in a standing position from back to front, not in a lying position because it will not give the desired results, causing hindering the diagnostic process of some lung diseases such as effusion, pneumothorax.

3. Is chest x-ray harmful?

Although chest X-ray is a quick, affordable imaging technique that allows viewing of many organs such as lungs, heart, rib cage... but with lesions that are too large If the image is small or located in places where it is difficult to get an image, the X-ray cannot clearly show the images here, but must rely on other techniques. Because X-rays are a form of high-energy radiation, so they are very toxic to the human body, so patients should have chest X-rays at medical facilities with safe imaging equipment. Adequate preparation according to standards and principles when taking X-rays should also be strictly followed to avoid affecting the patient's health.

4. Conclusion

X-ray of the lungs is one of the most indicated and conducted tests in the process of diagnosing and detecting most of today's diseases. In particular, straight chest X-ray is the most common technique that patients need to perform to find abnormalities in the heart, lungs or chest.
Currently, chest X-ray technique is a routine technique at Vinmec International Hospital to diagnose respiratory diseases in general and lung diseases in particular. In order to improve the quality of medical examination and treatment, in addition to being fully equipped with modern medical systems and machines, and international standard X-ray machines, Vinmec also designs general health check-up packages suitable for patients. each customer's age, gender and unique needs with a reasonable price policy.
In the above health checkup packages, the patient will have an in-depth examination with a team of specialists and perform diagnostic imaging methods such as X-ray, blood test, urine test, etc. ...
The patient's examination results will be returned to his/her home. After receiving the results of the general health examination, if you detect diseases that require intensive examination and treatment, you can use services from other specialties at the Hospital with quality treatment and services. outstanding customer service.

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