Pneumonia chest x ray: Difference between revisions
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* [[Chest X-ray]] findings are usually nonspecific in viral pneumonia. | * [[Chest X-ray]] findings are usually nonspecific in viral pneumonia. | ||
==Aspiration pneumonia chest xray== | ==Aspiration pneumonia chest xray== | ||
=== Plain films === | === Plain films === | ||
* AP portable chest images may demonstrate bilateral opacities in the middle or lower lung zones. | * AP portable chest images may demonstrate bilateral opacities in the middle or lower lung zones. | ||
Revision as of 19:08, 5 September 2012
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Pneumonia Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Pneumonia chest x ray On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pneumonia chest x ray |
Editor(s)-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Philip Marcus, M.D., M.P.H.[2]
Overview
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.
Imaging
- X-rays of the chest (reveal areas of opacity). A normal chest x-ray makes CAP less likely; however, CAP is sometimes not seen on x-rays because the disease is either in its initial stages or involves a part of the lung not easily seen by x-ray.
- Computed tomography in situations of diagnostic dilema.
- Chest X-ray findings are usually nonspecific in viral pneumonia.
Aspiration pneumonia chest xray
Plain films
- AP portable chest images may demonstrate bilateral opacities in the middle or lower lung zones.
- On PA and lateral images, the opacities may be localized to the posterior segments of upper lobes or to the superior segments of lower lobes.
CT
- Aspirated low-density organic material such as mineral oil in the tracheobronchial tree or alveolar spaces cannot be diagnosed on plain radiographs, but they can be demonstrated and perhaps measured on CT scans.
- Opaque aspirates are also well demonstrated on CT scans.
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