What is a chest X-ray for pneumonia? Advantages and disadvantages

This article was written by Specialist Doctor II Khong Tien Dat, Doctor of Radiology - Department of Diagnostic Imaging - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.

A chest X-ray is a medical examination that uses a small amount of radiation (X-rays) to pass through the chest to create images of lung structures and organs within the chest. This method helps the doctor see the structure and function of the lungs. This is an additional method after examination steps such as asking the patient, observing and examining the patient with a stethoscope.
So what to do with pneumonia X-ray? This method is used to assess lung condition through airway images, in addition, it can further evaluate the heart, blood vessels, lungs and rib structure of the patient to make a diagnosis:
no pneumonia, what is the status of the pneumonia, are there any complications or are there other diseases associated with it such as:
effusion or pneumothorax. Lung collapse. Compression of cardiac structures. Other structures in the chest: such as large blood vessels, whether the lymph nodes in the chest are enlarged, Also see if there are any other abnormalities such as: There are nodules, suspicious of tumor disease, chronic lung diseases Calculation, whether the heart is enlarged, is there a mediastinal tumor, is there any associated thoracic bone abnormalities?

The advantages of X-ray pneumonia include:
Being the first choice when thinking about and examining signs of pneumonia. The technique is quick, safe and painless. This method usually gives quick results. Clear imaging results: Answer whether pneumonia is present or not, are there other abnormalities associated with it. Inexpensive compared to other examinations and compared to CT scans. It is possible to re-evaluate to monitor the progression of the lesion. Disadvantages of X-ray pneumonia:
Patients will have to absorb a small dose of X-rays (but still within the safe range for health according to research, recommendations and testing of radiation doses of agencies). functions in the country and in the world). A few small opacities < 5 mm can be missed on radiographs.

Currently, radiographs are the first choice in situations where pneumonia and other diseases of the chest are thought to be present and are often performed immediately so that the physician can assess lung and other organ damage. other parts of the thorax.
Currently, the imaging department of Vinmec Ha Long hospital is fully equipped with a digital high-frequency X-ray machine system, with good resolution and quality, fast capture time and results are available in less than 3 days. minute. There is also a system of other machines to support examination and diagnosis of other diseases in the human body such as the 640-slice computed tomography machine of Toshiba of Japan, the 3.0 tesla Magnetic Resonance scanner of US GE and some other machines such as breast scanners, dental scanners, osteoporosis meters and body fat measurement.... the image data can be printed on film and on CD for assembly. diagnosis with other doctors. In addition, the hospital has many other advantages such as:
Doctors have many problems and experiences in examination and diagnosis. The technical team is well qualified. Well trained in thinking and service quality like hospitals in developed countries. Rooms and hospitals are spacious, clean, with good aseptic conditions, the environment is not infected with bacteria, there is almost no risk of disease transmission from the hospital during the visit to the hospital. To be able to make an appointment to see a doctor or see him in an emergency situation like hospitals in developed countries.