ABSTRACT
This chapter is concerned with investigation of diseases of the lung, other chest structures including the aorta and skeletal structures, particularly in the context of trauma. It deals with a suggested approach to chest X-ray (CXR) interpretation, followed by notes on common findings. CXR is requested for virtually all patients with respiratory symptoms. Computed tomography (CT) is the next most commonly performed investigation for diseases of the respiratory system and chest. High resolution CT has a definite role in the assessment of patients with an apparently normal CXR, despite strong clinical indications of respiratory disease, including dyspnoea, chest pain, haemoptysis and abnormal pulmonary function tests. Each hilar complex as seen on the pulmonary artery and lateral chest radiographs comprises the proximal pulmonary arteries, bronchus, pulmonary veins and lymph nodes. CT is more accurate than CXR for the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy, hilar lymphadenopathy, mediastinal invasion and chest wall invasion.
