The Basics of CXR's

Question 1

Why do we prefer PA films to AP films?

Answer 1

Because in an AP film the heart will be magnified

Question 2

What is the ABCDEF approach to CXR

Answer 2

Airways (trachea) and adenopathy (hilar)
Bones (fractures/density) and Breast (calcification, asymmetry)
Cardiac shadow (size and shape)
Diaphragm (sharpness and costophrenic angle)
Everything else (soft tissue)
Fields (lung infiltrates, vascularity)

Question 3

How can a peptic ulcer be picked up on CXR?

Answer 3

There will be air under the diaphragm which suggests a perforated peptic ulcer but the patient needs to be standing for ten minutes before the x-ray is taken