Chest x-rays

X-rays are made by using low levels of external radiation to produce images of the body, the organs, and other internal structures for diagnostic purposes. X-rays pass through body structures onto specially treated plates (similar to camera film) and a "negative" type picture is made. The more solid a structure is, the whiter it appears on the film. For this reason, bones appear very white on an x-ray film, but less dense tissue such as muscle, blood, skin, and fat appears darker.

Why is a chest x-ray performed?

Chest x-rays may be used to assess heart status (either directly or indirectly) by looking at the heart itself, as well as the lungs. Changes in the normal structure of the heart, lungs, and/or lung vessels may indicate disease or other conditions. Conditions which may be assessed with a chest x-ray may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Heart enlargement (which can occur with congenital heart defects or cardiomyopathy)
• Pericardial effusion - a build up of excess fluid in-between the heart and the membrane that surrounds it, often due to inflammation
• Pleural effusion - a collection of blood or fluid around the lung
• "Fluid in the lungs," known as pulmonary edema (which can occur with congenital heart disease or congestive heart failure)
• Pneumonia and other lung diseases

Chest x-rays may also be ordered:

• As part of a routine clinic visit
• Before hospitalization and/or surgery
• To assess symptoms of conditions related to the heart or lungs
• To check the position of implanted pacemaker wires and other internal devices such as central venous catheters

There may be a table in the room, and there will be a large x-ray camera suspended from the ceiling which can be moved in many directions in order to obtain various views. Portable x-ray equipment can be used to make films on patients in areas of the hospital, such as the operating room, the emergency department, or the intensive care unit.

A chest x-ray may be performed in a standing, sitting, or lying position, depending on the condition of the child and the reason for the x-ray. For a standing or sitting film, your child will stand or sit in front of an x-ray plate. If the x-ray is taken in the lying position, the plate is placed beneath your child while he/she is lying on his/her back or side.

The technician will position your child properly in front of the plate, and then will step away to the controls of the machine. If your child is old enough to cooperate, he/she will be asked to take in a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds while the x-ray exposure is made. Otherwise, the technician will try to take the picture at the appropriate time by watching your child breathe.

In some situations, the physician may want a film made from a side angle. This procedure is the same as the one just described, except that your child will stand, sit, or lie at a right or left angle to the x-ray plate and his/her arms will be raised out of the way.

Parents are usually able to stay in the room with their children to provide support and encouragement. You will be asked to wear a lead apron to protect you from unneeded exposure to radiation during the x-ray.

Depending on the results of the chest x-ray, additional tests or procedures may be scheduled to gather further diagnostic information.