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Chest X-ray
Our Approach for Chest X-ray
Chest X-rays are an imaging tool that we commonly use to diagnose conditions affecting the heart, lungs, blood vessels, airways, and other structures in the chest. This noninvasive test provides images that show details about bones, organs, and tissues.
At Stanford, our skilled imaging technicians use the most advanced technologies for chest X-ray. Our doctors have special expertise in reading and interpreting the images as part of your comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.
WHAT WE OFFER YOU FOR CHEST X-RAY
- Nationally recognized expertise in capturing, reading, and interpreting chest X-rays to establish a precise diagnosis for thorough treatment planning
- Precise diagnosis options that combine the experience and skill of our imaging technicians, doctors, and surgeons with advanced X-ray technologies to help make an accurate diagnosis
To schedule an imaging (radiology) appointment, call 650-723-6855.
Our Radiology Scheduling Center is open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
What Is a Chest X-ray?
About Chest X-ray
A chest X-ray uses very small amounts of radiation (electromagnetic waves) to create images of the structures inside your chest, including your heart, lungs, airways, and bones. At Stanford, we use chest X-rays to diagnose a wide range of injuries and conditions affecting the organs and bones in the chest.
Different types of tissues in your body absorb differing levels of radiation:
- Bones, such as your ribs, absorb the most radiation and appear white or light gray in the X-ray
- The lungs absorb very little radiation and appear dark
- The heart shows up as medium gray
Our doctors may order a chest X-ray to assess injuries, such as broken bones, or to monitor a condition that may be worsening, such as fluid in the lungs. We can also use chest X-ray to help determine the underlying causes of symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath.
Our doctors use chest X-ray to plan treatment or evaluate its effectiveness, including:
- Cancer treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation
- Cardiac catheterization
- Implanted devices such as pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)
- Surgery on the esophagus, heart, or lungs
What To Expect
Chest X-rays may be used to assess heart status (either directly or indirectly) by looking at the heart itself, as well as the lungs. Changes in the normal structure of the heart, lungs and/or lung vessels may indicate disease or other conditions.
Before
During
After
Before the Procedure
- The doctor will explain the procedure to you and offer you the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure.
- If you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, you should notify your doctor.
- Generally, no prior preparation, such as fasting or sedation, is required.
- Dress in clothes that permit access to the area to be tested or that are easily removed.
- Notify the radiologic technologist if you have any body piercing on your chest.
- Based upon your medical condition, your doctor may request other specific preparation.
During the Procedure
A chest X-ray may be performed on an outpatient basis or as part of a hospital stay. For this test, the patient stands in front of a rectangular target area, where the X-ray film is held. Patients may be asked to hold their arms to the side or over the head. The patient takes a breath and remain still for a few seconds. The patient may have an X-ray of the chest from the front and from the side.
Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your doctor's practices.
Generally, a chest X-ray follows this process:
- Patients will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that may interfere with the procedure.
- Patients will be given a gown to wear.
- The view that the doctor orders will determine how the patient is positioned for the X-ray, such as lying, sitting, or standing. Patients will be positioned carefully so that the desired view of the chest is obtained. The doctor will also specify the number of films to be made.
- For a standing or sitting film, patients will stand or sit in front of the X-ray plate. Patients will be asked to roll their shoulders forward, take in a deep breath, and hold it until the X-ray exposure is made. For patients who are unable to hold their breath, the radiologic technologist will take the picture at the appropriate time by watching the breathing pattern.
- It will be important for patients to remain still during the exposure, as any movement will blur the film.
- For a side-angle view of the chest, patients will be asked to turn to the side and raise the arms above your head. Patients will be instructed to take in a deep breath and hold it as the X-ray exposure is made.
- The radiologic technologist will step behind a protective window while the images are being made.
While the X-ray procedure itself causes no pain, the manipulation of the body part being examined may cause some discomfort or pain, particularly in the case of a recent injury or invasive procedure such as surgery. The radiologic technologist will use all possible comfort measures and complete the procedure as quickly as possible to minimize any discomfort or pain.
After the Procedure
Generally, there is no special type of care after a chest X-ray. However, your doctor may give additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your needs.
Before the Procedure
- The doctor will explain the procedure to you and offer you the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure.
- If you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, you should notify your doctor.
- Generally, no prior preparation, such as fasting or sedation, is required.
- Dress in clothes that permit access to the area to be tested or that are easily removed.
- Notify the radiologic technologist if you have any body piercing on your chest.
- Based upon your medical condition, your doctor may request other specific preparation.
close Before
During the Procedure
A chest X-ray may be performed on an outpatient basis or as part of a hospital stay. For this test, the patient stands in front of a rectangular target area, where the X-ray film is held. Patients may be asked to hold their arms to the side or over the head. The patient takes a breath and remain still for a few seconds. The patient may have an X-ray of the chest from the front and from the side.
Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your doctor's practices.
Generally, a chest X-ray follows this process:
- Patients will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that may interfere with the procedure.
- Patients will be given a gown to wear.
- The view that the doctor orders will determine how the patient is positioned for the X-ray, such as lying, sitting, or standing. Patients will be positioned carefully so that the desired view of the chest is obtained. The doctor will also specify the number of films to be made.
- For a standing or sitting film, patients will stand or sit in front of the X-ray plate. Patients will be asked to roll their shoulders forward, take in a deep breath, and hold it until the X-ray exposure is made. For patients who are unable to hold their breath, the radiologic technologist will take the picture at the appropriate time by watching the breathing pattern.
- It will be important for patients to remain still during the exposure, as any movement will blur the film.
- For a side-angle view of the chest, patients will be asked to turn to the side and raise the arms above your head. Patients will be instructed to take in a deep breath and hold it as the X-ray exposure is made.
- The radiologic technologist will step behind a protective window while the images are being made.
While the X-ray procedure itself causes no pain, the manipulation of the body part being examined may cause some discomfort or pain, particularly in the case of a recent injury or invasive procedure such as surgery. The radiologic technologist will use all possible comfort measures and complete the procedure as quickly as possible to minimize any discomfort or pain.
close During
After the Procedure
Generally, there is no special type of care after a chest X-ray. However, your doctor may give additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your needs.
close After