X-ray beams are passed through the chest, producing images of
the internal structures on a special type of film. This basic
imaging test is often part of the initial evaluation in people
being assessed for lung or heart disorders. Purpose of the Chest
X-ray - To detect and evaluate abnormalities in the lungs,
including pneumonia; pneumothorax (leakage of air outside the
lungs and into the pleural cavity, resulting in a collapsed
lung); and tumors - To provide an initial assessment of the size
of the heart - To locate fluid accumulation in the lung or
pleural space (the space between the lung and chest wall) - To
detect fractures of bones in the chest - To locate foreign
bodies (such as coins or small objects) that may have been
swallowed - To screen for lung diseases in apparently healthy
individuals who have been exposed to environmental toxins such
as asbestos - To aid in the placement of devices for other
tests, such as a pulmonary artery catheter - To help diagnose
symptoms such as shortness of breath, a