Radiography and Computed Tomography of the Chest

Abstract

A portable chest radiograph frequently complements the clinical evaluation of a patient in the intensive care unit (ICU). Standard posteroanterior (PA) chest radiographs are obtained from a distance of 72 inches with the patient erect and facing the detector. The x-ray tube is behind the patient, and the beam passes from posterior to anterior. In the ICU, the PA radiograph is replaced by the portable anteroposterior radiograph, which is obtained from a 40-inch distance with the tube in front of the patient and the patient supine or semierect.