From the Guidelines
Key terms used to describe chest X-ray findings include opacity, consolidation, infiltrate, nodule, mass, effusion, pneumothorax, atelectasis, hyperinflation, and lucency. These terms are essential for radiologists to communicate findings accurately and for healthcare providers to develop appropriate treatment plans 1.
- Opacity refers to areas that appear whiter than normal, indicating increased density from fluid, tissue, or foreign material.
- Consolidation refers to airspace filling with fluid or cells, while infiltrates describe abnormal substances within lung tissues.
- Nodules are small rounded opacities (less than 3 cm), and masses are larger lesions.
- Effusion indicates fluid collection in the pleural space.
- Pneumothorax describes air in the pleural space causing lung collapse.
- Atelectasis refers to collapsed lung tissue.
- Hyperinflation indicates air trapping, and lucency describes abnormally dark areas suggesting decreased density. Location descriptors such as "apical" (upper), "basal" (lower), "perihilar" (near the hilum), and "peripheral" are also important, as well as pattern descriptors like "reticular" (net-like), "ground-glass" (hazy), and "interstitial" (affecting tissue between air spaces) 1. Understanding these terms is crucial for accurate communication and development of treatment plans, especially in the context of chronic cough, where chest radiography is often used as an initial evaluation tool 1.
From the Research
Key Terms Used to Describe Chest X-Ray Findings
- Pneumothorax: a condition where air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall 2
- Pulmonary edema: a condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs 2
- Pleural effusion: a condition where fluid accumulates in the space between the lung and chest wall 2, 3
- Consolidation: a condition where lung tissue becomes solid and dense, often due to infection or inflammation 2
- Parapneumonic effusion: a condition where fluid accumulates in the space between the lung and chest wall, often associated with pneumonia 2
- Loculated pleural effusion: a condition where fluid accumulates in a specific area of the pleural space, often surrounded by septations 2
- Septations: thin walls of tissue that separate areas of fluid accumulation 2
Chest X-Ray Interpretation
- A normal chest X-ray is characterized by a clear lung field, visible diaphragm, and normal cardiac silhouette 3
- Abnormal chest X-ray findings can include opacification, nodules, masses, and pleural effusions 4, 5
- Medical devices such as pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, and chest tubes can be visible on chest X-ray and require careful interpretation 4
- Deep learning models can improve the accuracy of chest X-ray interpretation by radiologists, particularly for detecting device-related complications and pulmonary abnormalities 6
Systematic Approach to Chest X-Ray Interpretation
- A systematic approach to interpreting chest X-rays is essential to avoid misreading abnormal findings as normal 5
- Clinicians should read hundreds of normal chest X-rays to acquire confidence in making accurate determinations 5
- Comparing prior films with recent films is mandatory to confirm and/or extend differential diagnosis 5