nub said:
I'm about to start my 1st rads elective and I was wondering how to present an X-ray.
My guess would be:
patient name, short h&p, exposure, penatration, rotation then into what the film is.
If anyone could give a more detailed description of a presentation, I would greatly appreciate it.
Pt name, date, one line history (IE 53 year old fever c history of colon cancer and chest pain.)
In general, I would mention exposure, penetration, or rotation only if it limits the exam in some way or if the technique is suboptimal.
Reading chest films its easy as
ABC:
Airway- is the trachea midline, or deviated?
Breathing (lungs): do you see air space or interstitial disease? Any masses? cavitary lesions? emphysematous bullae? Are the pulmonary vessels congested?
Cardiac silloute/mediastinal structures: what is the heart size and shape? Does the Aortic arch look normal or dilated? Is there mediastinal widening?
Diaphragm/Pleura: is there pneumothorax or pleural effusion? Free air under the diaphragm? (an up right CXR is pretty sensitive for free air)
Everything else: look for clavicle fractures, busted ribs, dislocated shoulder. I have actually found a few on CXR! Check for a pectus deformity or sternal fracture on the lateral.
