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Stanford Health Care

Risks

Our Approach for Chest X-ray

Chest X-rays are an imaging tool that we commonly use to diagnose conditions affecting the heart, lungs, blood vessels, airways, and other structures in the chest. This noninvasive test provides images that show details about bones, organs, and tissues.

At Stanford, our skilled imaging technicians use the most advanced technologies for chest X-ray. Our doctors have special expertise in reading and interpreting the images as part of your comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU FOR CHEST X-RAY

  • Nationally recognized expertise in capturing, reading, and interpreting chest X-rays to establish a precise diagnosis for thorough treatment planning
  • Precise diagnosis options that combine the experience and skill of our imaging technicians, doctors, and surgeons with advanced X-ray technologies to help make an accurate diagnosis
Make An Appointment

To schedule an imaging (radiology) appointment, call 650-723-6855.

Our Radiology Scheduling Center is open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

What Is a Chest X-ray?

Risks of Chest X-rays

A chest X-ray is a painless, noninvasive procedure with few risks. X-rays use a small amount of radiation, about the same levels that occur naturally in the environment.

At Stanford, we take extra precautions to minimize our patients’ exposure to radiation, including using:

  • A protective lead apron to shield certain parts of the body
  • The lowest possible amount of radiation needed to produce the image

Women who are or might be pregnant should tell their doctors. We can perform chest X-rays in ways that protect the abdomen from radiation.

Our doctors will discuss other risks for specific medical conditions. 

What To Expect

Chest X-rays may be used to assess heart status (either directly or indirectly) by looking at the heart itself, as well as the lungs. Changes in the normal structure of the heart, lungs and/or lung vessels may indicate disease or other conditions.

  • Before

  • During

  • After

Before the Procedure

  • The doctor will explain the procedure to you and offer you the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure. 

  • If you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, you should notify your doctor.
  • Generally, no prior preparation, such as fasting or sedation, is required. 

  • Dress in clothes that permit access to the area to be tested or that are easily removed. 

  • Notify the radiologic technologist if you have any body piercing on your chest. 

  • Based upon your medical condition, your doctor may request other specific preparation.

During the Procedure

A chest X-ray may be performed on an outpatient basis or as part of a hospital stay. For this test, the patient stands in front of a rectangular target area, where the X-ray film is held. Patients may be asked to hold their arms to the side or over the head. The patient takes a breath and remain still for a few seconds. The patient may have an X-ray of the chest from the front and from the side.

Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your doctor's practices.

Generally, a chest X-ray follows this process:

  1. Patients will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that may interfere with the procedure. 

  2. Patients will be given a gown to wear. 

  3. The view that the doctor orders will determine how the patient is positioned for the X-ray, such as lying, sitting, or standing. Patients will be positioned carefully so that the desired view of the chest is obtained. The doctor will also specify the number of films to be made.

  4. For a standing or sitting film, patients will stand or sit in front of the X-ray plate. Patients will be asked to roll their shoulders forward, take in a deep breath, and hold it until the X-ray exposure is made. For patients who are unable to hold their breath, the radiologic technologist will take the picture at the appropriate time by watching the breathing pattern. 

  5. It will be important for patients to remain still during the exposure, as any movement will blur the film. 

  6. For a side-angle view of the chest, patients will be asked to turn to the side and raise the arms above your head. Patients will be instructed to take in a deep breath and hold it as the X-ray exposure is made. 

  7. The radiologic technologist will step behind a protective window while the images are being made.

While the X-ray procedure itself causes no pain, the manipulation of the body part being examined may cause some discomfort or pain, particularly in the case of a recent injury or invasive procedure such as surgery. The radiologic technologist will use all possible comfort measures and complete the procedure as quickly as possible to minimize any discomfort or pain.

After the Procedure

Generally, there is no special type of care after a chest X-ray. However, your doctor may give additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your needs.

Before

Before the Procedure

  • The doctor will explain the procedure to you and offer you the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure. 

  • If you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, you should notify your doctor.
  • Generally, no prior preparation, such as fasting or sedation, is required. 

  • Dress in clothes that permit access to the area to be tested or that are easily removed. 

  • Notify the radiologic technologist if you have any body piercing on your chest. 

  • Based upon your medical condition, your doctor may request other specific preparation.

close Before
During

During the Procedure

A chest X-ray may be performed on an outpatient basis or as part of a hospital stay. For this test, the patient stands in front of a rectangular target area, where the X-ray film is held. Patients may be asked to hold their arms to the side or over the head. The patient takes a breath and remain still for a few seconds. The patient may have an X-ray of the chest from the front and from the side.

Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your doctor's practices.

Generally, a chest X-ray follows this process:

  1. Patients will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that may interfere with the procedure. 

  2. Patients will be given a gown to wear. 

  3. The view that the doctor orders will determine how the patient is positioned for the X-ray, such as lying, sitting, or standing. Patients will be positioned carefully so that the desired view of the chest is obtained. The doctor will also specify the number of films to be made.

  4. For a standing or sitting film, patients will stand or sit in front of the X-ray plate. Patients will be asked to roll their shoulders forward, take in a deep breath, and hold it until the X-ray exposure is made. For patients who are unable to hold their breath, the radiologic technologist will take the picture at the appropriate time by watching the breathing pattern. 

  5. It will be important for patients to remain still during the exposure, as any movement will blur the film. 

  6. For a side-angle view of the chest, patients will be asked to turn to the side and raise the arms above your head. Patients will be instructed to take in a deep breath and hold it as the X-ray exposure is made. 

  7. The radiologic technologist will step behind a protective window while the images are being made.

While the X-ray procedure itself causes no pain, the manipulation of the body part being examined may cause some discomfort or pain, particularly in the case of a recent injury or invasive procedure such as surgery. The radiologic technologist will use all possible comfort measures and complete the procedure as quickly as possible to minimize any discomfort or pain.


close During
After

After the Procedure

Generally, there is no special type of care after a chest X-ray. However, your doctor may give additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your needs.


close After