Posteroanterior chest X-ray for the diagnosis of pneumothorax: methods, usage, and resolution

Abstract:

Most pneumothoraces are demonstrated on fully inspired erect posteroanterior (PA) chest X-ray (CXR). Expiratory films may have a role in the clinical management of patients with a small respiratory reserve in whom pneumothorax is suspected and not demonstrated on the inspiratory film. PA CXR can be used for the diagnosis of spontaneous and nonspontaneous pneumothoraces. When digital radiography is used, for most authors, a 2.5-lp/mm spatial resolution is satisfactory to detect a pneumothorax.

Keywords::

• radiography
• computed tomography
• pneumothorax
• posteroanterior chest X-ray