The use of radiographic images in medical field is an important tool for Respiratory Therapists to identify the presence of various respiratory diseases. There are several x-ray views that can differentiate the presence of a pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, consolidation, atelectasis, and pulmonary infiltrates. Abnormal chest radiographs can be identified through the following x-ray views. Anterior-Posterior (AP) passes from the anterior surface through the chest, the heart shadow is more easily seen in this view. The AP view is often used to verify the placement of endotracheal tubes. The most commonly used image is the Posterior-Anterior (PA). The x-ray energy passes from the posterior surface through the chest. The heart shadow appears less visible in this view because the heart is more anterior and appears behind other anatomy of the chest. The lateral view x-rays pass from the right side of the body through the chest. The lateral view is used along with the (PA) image to create a more three dimensional picture. The apical lordotic view has the patient lean backward at a forty-five degree angle to view the upper lobes of the lungs with more clarity. The lateral decubitus view of the chest requires the patient to rest in a side-laying position to identify the possibility of liquid in the pleural space or otherwise know as pleural effusion. The left and right anterior oblique views rotate the patient from left and right to shift the image of the heart so the lungs can be better seen. The oblique views are also used for ventilation-perfusion scanning that compares lung ventilation with lung perfusion.
The x-ray views are determined by the radiodensity of the material it passes through such as tissue, fluid, air, and bone. The anatomy of the lowest density such as air will appear black while anatomy with greater density will appear white or gray.
The normal anatomical landmarks of a chest x-ray image include the left and right costophrenic angles,...