Bronchitis chest x ray
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2]
Bronchitis Main page |
Overview
Chest x ray findings are normal in patients with acute bronchitis and thus, chest radiography is not routinely recommended.
The classic signs of chronic bronchitis are overexpanded lung (hyperinflation), a flattened diaphragm, increased retrosternal airspace, and occasionally,bullae.[1] It can be useful to help exclude other lung diseases, such as pneumonia, pulmonary edema or a pneumothorax.[1]
Chest x ray
Acute bronchitis
Normal view of the lungs is the most common finding. Chest x ray may be ordered in specific situations[2][3], for example:
- 1. If pneumonia is suspected,
- 2. If cough lasts for more than 3 weeks,
- 3. Abnormal vital signs (pulse >100/minute, respiratory rate >24 breaths/minute, or temperature >38°C),
- 4. Signs of consolidation on chest examination.
Chronic Bronchitis
- Increased bronchovascular markings
- Cardiomegaly
- Right ventricular enlargement, prominent hilar vascular shadows, opacity in retrosternal air spaces (pulmonary hypertension)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Torres M, Moayedi S (2007). "Evaluation of the acutely dyspneic elderly patient". Clin. Geriatr. Med. 23 (2): 307–25, vi. doi:10.1016/j.cger.2007.01.007. PMID 17462519. Unknown parameter
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ignored (help) - ↑ Albert RH (2010). "Diagnosis and treatment of acute bronchitis". Am Fam Physician. 82 (11): 1345–50. PMID 21121518.
- ↑ Gonzales R, Bartlett JG, Besser RE, Cooper RJ, Hickner JM, Hoffman JR, Sande MA (2001). "Principles of appropriate antibiotic use for treatment of uncomplicated acute bronchitis: background". Ann. Intern. Med. 134 (6): 521–9. PMID 11255532.