Radiology – Integrated Training Initiative (R-ITI) | Paediatrics | Influence of Technique on Chest X-ray

Influence of Technique on Chest X-ray
Session Overview
Description
This session looks at the technical evaluation of chest radiographs in children.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Recognise the appearance of normal chest radiographs in neonates, infants and children
• List the technical factors that contribute to good quality chest radiographs
• Demonstrate the limitations of suboptimal chest radiographs
• Recognise when repeat radiography is required

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should have a knowledge of:

• The anatomy of the thorax
• The appearances of the normal chest radiograph in infants and children
• The basic physics of radiographic image production

The optimal interpretation of paediatric chest radiographs requires the best quality images possible. Acquiring these in infants and young children can be a radiographic challenge.

Factors such as exposure, rotation and the degree of inspiration can have a dramatic effect on image quality. It is important to recognise both technically good and sub-optimal films, so that the limitations of any image are appreciated.

This session will review:

• The appearances and technical factors that contribute to the normal chest radiograph
• Examples of how various technical factors may compromise image quality
• Artefacts that are commonly seen