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Chest X-Ray - Results
About this test
A chest
X-ray is a picture of the chest to see your
heart 
,
lungs , airway, blood vessels, and
lymph nodes. A chest X-ray also shows the bones of
your chest, including your
breastbone ,
ribs ,
collarbone , and the upper part of your
spine . A chest X-ray is the most common imaging test
used to find problems inside the chest.
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.
| Normal: | 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 heart looks normal in size, 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 bones including the spine and ribs look normal. | |
The diaphragm looks normal in shape and location. | |
No abnormal collection of fluid or air is seen, and no foreign objects are seen. | |
All tubes, catheters, or other medical devices are in their correct positions in the chest. | |
| Abnormal: | An infection, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, is present. |
Problems such as a tumor, 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). | |
Broken bones (fractures) are seen in the rib cage, collarbone, shoulder, or spine. | |
Enlarged lymph nodes are seen. | |
A foreign object is seen in the esophagus, breathing tubes, or lungs. | |
A tube, catheter, or other medical device looks like it has moved out of the correct position. |
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: July 13, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Howard Schaff, MD - Diagnostic Radiology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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