"A variety of conditions may be seen on an abnormal chest x-ray. Areas may include the heart, lungs, ribs as well as detection of foreign objects within the radiated area.Heart abnormalities that may be seen in a standard 2-view chest x-ray include enlargement of the heart, pulmonary failure, or excessive fluid within the lung cavities (pulmonary edema). Lung abnormalities may include pneumonia
. within different sections of the lung tissue, an area of collapsed lung tissue known as a pnuemothorax and differences within the tissues which could represent lung cancer. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is also another diagnosis that may be made from a physician by means of ordering chest x-rays. Chest x-rays may also show rib fractures, although special techniques are used for better contrast of ribs on x-rays. Chest x-rays are of value for detection of foreign objects within the upper body. A child who has swallowed or aspirated an object, such as a quarter. Physicians can generally detect whether the object has went to the lungs or is within the digestive system through this simple procedure."
