Pneumonia chest x ray: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Pneumonia_x-ray.jpg|left|200px|'''Pneumonia as seen on chest x-ray.''' | [[Image:Pneumonia_x-ray.jpg|left|200px|'''Pneumonia as seen on chest x-ray.''' | ||
''A'': Normal chest x-ray. ''B'': Abnormal chest x-ray with shadowing from pneumonia in the right lung (white area, left side of image).]] | ''A'': Normal chest x-ray. ''B'': Abnormal chest x-ray with shadowing from pneumonia in the right lung (white area, left side of image).]] | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
Revision as of 16:16, 10 May 2012
An important test for pneumonia in unclear situations is a chest x-ray. Chest x-rays can reveal areas of opacity (seen as white) which represent consolidation. Pneumonia is not always seen on x-rays, either because the disease is only in its initial stages, or because it involves a part of the lung not easily seen by x-ray.
In some cases, chest CT (computed tomography) can reveal pneumonia that is not seen on chest x-ray.
X-rays can be misleading, because other problems, like lung scarring and congestive heart failure, can mimic pneumonia on x-ray.[1] Chest x-rays are also used to evaluate for complications of pneumonia. (See below.)
If a person is not getting better with antibiotics, or if the health care provider has concerns about the diagnosis, a cultureof the person's sputum may be requested.
References
- ↑ Syrjala H, Broas M, Suramo I, et al. High resolution computed tomography for the diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia. Clin Infect Dis 1998; 27:358-363 PMID 9709887