Chest X-ray

X-Ray, Chest

What Affects the Test

Reasons why the test results may not be helpful include:

• Not being able to stay still and hold your breath when asked during the test.
• Metal objects (such as spinal fixation rods and metal jewelry or belts) that get in the way of the X-ray picture.
• Obesity, which can hide chest problems or make it hard to get a good X-ray picture.
• Chest pain that can make it hard for you to take a deep breath during the X-ray.
• Scarring from past lung surgery or changes from a chronic disease, which may make the X-ray pictures hard to read.

A picture taken with a portable machine may not be as clear as those made by a stationary machine.

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Author:	Maria Essig	Last Updated: August 18, 2009
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Howard Schaff, MD - Diagnostic Radiology
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