You may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds while the X-ray picture is taken. Most hospitals and some clinics have portable X-ray machines. If a chest X-ray is done with a portable X-ray machine at your bedside in a hospital, an X-ray technologist and nurse will help you move into the correct position. Usually only one picture from the front is taken. The test will take about 10 minutes. You won't feel any pain from the X-ray itself. If you have pain from your chest problem, you may feel some discomfort if you need to hold a certain position, breathe deep, or hold your breath while the X-ray is done.
There is always a slight chance of damage to cells or tissue from radiation, including the low levels of radiation used for this test. But the chance of damage from the X-rays is extremely low. It is not a reason to avoid the test. If you need an X-ray while you are pregnant, a lead apron will be put over your belly to protect the baby from exposure to radiation from the X-rays.
The chance of harm is usually very low compared with the benefits of the test. In an emergency, the results of a chest X-ray can be available within a few minutes for review by your doctor. If it is not an emergency, results are usually ready in 1 or 2 days. The lungs look normal in size and shape, and the lung tissue looks normal. No growths or other masses can be seen within the lungs. The pleural spaces the spaces surrounding the lungs also look normal.
The heart looks normal in size and shape, and the heart tissue looks normal. The blood vessels leading to and from the heart also are normal in size, shape, and appearance. The diaphragm looks normal in shape and location. An infection, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis , is present. Problems such as a tumour, injury, or a condition such as edema from heart failure may be seen.
In some cases, more X-rays or other tests may be needed to see the problem clearly. A problem such as an enlarged heart—which could be caused by heart damage, heart valve disease , or fluid around the heart—is seen.
Or a problem of the blood vessels, such as an enlarged aorta , an aneurysm , or hardening of the arteries atherosclerosis , is seen. Fluid is seen in the lungs pulmonary edema or around the lungs pleural effusion , or air is seen in the spaces around a lung pneumothorax. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. X-ray imaging tests, including the pros and cons of each test, how they compare to CT scans, how much they cost, and….
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What are the complications associated with a chest X-ray? You must hold very still and may need to hold your breath for a few seconds while the technologist takes the x-ray. This helps reduce the possibility of a blurred image. The technologist will walk behind a wall or into the next room to activate the x-ray machine. When the examination is complete, the technologist may ask you to wait until the radiologist confirms they have all the necessary images.
The entire chest x-ray examination, from positioning to obtaining and verifying the images, is usually completed within 15 minutes. Additional views may be required within hours, days or months to evaluate any changes in the chest. You may experience discomfort from the cool temperature in the examination room and the coldness of the recording plate. Individuals with arthritis or injuries to the chest wall, shoulders or arms may have discomfort trying to stay still during the examination.
The technologist will assist you in finding the most comfortable position possible that still ensures diagnostic image quality. A radiologist , a doctor trained to supervise and interpret radiology examinations, will analyze the images. The radiologist will send a signed report to your primary care or referring physician who will discuss the results with you. You may need a follow-up exam. If so, your doctor will explain why. Sometimes a follow-up exam further evaluates a potential issue with more views or a special imaging technique.
It may also see if there has been any change in an issue over time. Follow-up exams are often the best way to see if treatment is working or if a problem needs attention. Doctors take special care during x-ray exams to use the lowest radiation dose possible while producing the best images for evaluation. National and international radiology protection organizations continually review and update the technique standards radiology professionals use. Modern x-ray systems minimize stray scatter radiation by using controlled x-ray beams and dose control methods.
This ensures that the areas of your body not being imaged receive minimal radiation exposure. The chest x-ray is a very useful examination, but it has limitations. Because some conditions of the chest cannot be detected on a conventional chest x-ray image, this examination cannot necessarily rule out all problems in the chest. For example, small cancers may not show up on a chest x-ray. A blood clot in the lungs, a condition called a pulmonary embolism , cannot be seen on chest x-rays.
Further imaging studies may be necessary to clarify the results of a chest x-ray or to look for abnormalities not visible on the chest x-ray. Please type your comment or suggestion into the text box below. Note: we are unable to answer specific questions or offer individual medical advice or opinions. Please contact your physician with specific medical questions or for a referral to a radiologist or other physician. To locate a medical imaging or radiation oncology provider in your community, you can search the ACR-accredited facilities database.
This website does not provide cost information. The costs for specific medical imaging tests, treatments and procedures may vary by geographic region.
Web page review process: This Web page is reviewed regularly by a physician with expertise in the medical area presented and is further reviewed by committees from the Radiological Society of North America RSNA and the American College of Radiology ACR , comprising physicians with expertise in several radiologic areas.
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