X-ray · Patient guide
Chest X-Ray: What It Can Show and Its Limitations
By Clarus Magnus Health & Diagnostics · Published
A chest X-ray is commonly used to assess the lungs and other structures in the chest. Your doctor decides whether it is appropriate based on your symptoms and examination.
What can it help assess?
Chest X-rays may help identify changes associated with pneumonia, fluid around the lungs, heart enlargement and certain other chest problems. They also show some bones in the chest.
However, a chest X-ray has limitations. It cannot exclude every cause of breathlessness or chest pain, and some abnormalities need another test for assessment.
What happens during the examination?
You are positioned against the imaging equipment and may be asked to take a deep breath and hold still briefly. More than one view may be requested. Tell staff if you cannot stand comfortably or follow breath-holding instructions.
Do you need to fast?
A routine chest X-ray generally requires no special preparation. Remove items as instructed and tell staff about possible pregnancy before imaging.
See Magnus X-ray services. If your clinician has requested further imaging, CT services are a separate examination with a different protocol. Bring your referral and arrange a clinical review of the result rather than using the scan alone to decide whether treatment is needed.
References and further reading
General patient information. Your clinician and imaging team will advise you about your individual examination.