Chest radiograph — PA (± lateral)
Both lungs, mediastinum, diaphragm, bony thorax
When to use it
- Suspected pneumonia, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, pulmonary oedema.
- Line, tube and device position.
- First step in most chest presentations before cross-sectional imaging.
Technique
- Erect PA at full inspiration where the patient can tolerate it.
Where it goes wrong
- A supine or AP film exaggerates the mediastinum and hides small pneumothoraces and effusions — the projection must be stated for the film to be interpretable.
- A normal chest radiograph does not exclude pulmonary embolism.
Contrast
None
Acquisition
Safety checks this protocol carries
Derived from the contrast agent and phases above, not authored here — which is why they cannot drift apart from what the protocol actually does.
- Child-sized technique and contrast dose· radiographer at scan