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The ribs are part of the bone chest structures. An x-ray of the ribs is taken during a chest x-ray. Methods for accurately identifying ribs are useful in detecting damage to ribs. Detection of thoracic deformities such as pectus excavatum and barrel chest are important points in a chest x-ray.
Shadows around the chest (eg, rib shadows, sharp lines along the lower edge of the ribs, ribs overlapping shadows) may mimic pleural and extrapleural disease on anterior chest x-rays, so it is essential thatradiologist was familiar with the normal anatomy of the ribs, variants of normal arrangement of ribs and pentgenouslylogical view of edges to prevent misdiagnosis.
Although the ribs are clearly visible on a chest x-ray, pEntgenologists rarely pay attention to their features. A chest x-ray produces a black and white image of the organs in that area of the body. Structures that block radiation appear white, while structures that transmit radiation appear black.
What is an x-ray examination of the ribs
An x-ray is a test that uses small amounts of radioactive radiation to produce images that allow doctors to view the inside of the body. Exposure levels are considered safe for adults. However, this method is not considered safe for the developing fetus, so it is very important that the pregnant patient informs the doctor about her pregnancy before undergoing x-ray diagnostics.
X-rays pass through the skin and soft tissues, but do not pass through bones or metal. Because different tissues in the body absorb different amounts of radiation, images will show different shades of black and white.
One of the most common uses of an x-ray is to check for bone damage after an accident, as well as in many other circumstances.
The radiograph is used to identify, diagnose and treat many types of diseases. This is a basic type of diagnosis, and often it is carried out during the first visit of the patient.
Features of the study
Features of the study include:
- the chin should not impose a shadow on the picture;
- it is important to minimize the imposition of the boundaries of the shoulder blades on the lung fields;
- the clavicles should be in the same horizontal plane;
- the vascular pattern of the lungs should be clearly visible.
- the patient is directly opposite the x-ray tube, the back rests on the vertical detector;
- the chin is raised so as to be out of the image field;
- hands are placed on the sides of the patient
X-ray for a fracture
Rib fractures are a common consequence of trauma and can cause life-threatening complications. 4-10 ribs are most often fractured. Fractures from the 1st to the 3rd rib are associated with trauma, during which a force with great energy acts.
When a rib breaks twice, a “dangling rib” is formed, a fragment of a free fracture, and when three or more adjacent dangling ribs are present, it can make breathing very difficult.
Etiology of rib fractures:
- blunt and penetrating trauma: for example, traffic accidents, falls, assaults;
- pathological fractures;
- stress fractures: more common in athletes;
- cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR);
- skeletal dysplasia;
Rib fractures are often associated with other injuries, and the greater the number of fractures, the greater the likelihood of injuries to the brachial plexus or damage to the subclavian plexus (fractures of the 1st-3rd rib), pneumothorax / hemothorax, damage, pulmonary herniation, liver, kidney injury and spleen (fractures of the 10-12th rib).
In addition to the immediate traumatic complications described above complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia can develop mainly due to weak respiratory movements, incalled pain syndrome, which leads to an increase in morbidity and mortality due to rib fractures.
Indications for the study
Rib X-rays are used for a variety of reasons. Your doctor may order an X-ray cancer exclusion formations in different parts of the chest, near ribs
X-rays are used to look at a part of the body where the patient is experiencing pain, swelling, or other complaints that require a visual inspection of the organs.
X-rays can help the doctor find the cause of problems. Rib X-ray can be used to diagnose the disease, control the course of the disease, determine the treatment plan, as well as dynamic changes during treatment. Doctors use this method to detect foreign objects in the chest. X-rays can diagnose conditions that affect the lungs, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, emphysema, or lung cancer.
This diagnostic method can be used to diagnose symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, persistent cough or chest pain. An x-ray of the ribs can reveal breast tumors. X-rays can show an enlarged heart, a sign of congestive heart failure.
A chest x-ray may show cancer, an infection, or a buildup of air in the space around the lung (pneumothorax). It may also show chronic Заболевания lungs, such as emphysema or fibrosis, as well as complications associated with these conditions.
A chest x-ray can show changes or problems in the lungs that result from heart problems. For example, fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) may be the result of congestive heart failure.
Size and configuration of the heart. Changes in the size and shape of the heart may indicate heart failure, fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion), or problems with the heart valves.
Blood vessels. Because x-rays show the outline of large vessels near the heart—the aorta and the pulmonary arteries and veins—they can reveal aortic aneurysms, other blood vessel problems, or congenital heart defects.
A chest x-ray can detect the presence of calcium in the heart or blood vessels. Its presence may indicate damage to the heart valves, coronary arteries, heart muscle, or the protective sac that surrounds the heart. Calcium deposits in the lungs most often come from an old, resolved infection.
Fractures. Rib or spine fractures or other bone problems can be seen on a chest x-ray.
postoperative changes. Chest x-ray is useful for monitoring recovery after surgery on the chest, for example, on the heart, lungs, or esophagus. The doctor may look at any lines or tubes that were placed during the operation to exclude any postoperative complications.
Pacemaker, defibrillator or catheter. Pacemakers and defibrillators have wires attached to the heart to make sure the heart beat is normal. Catheters are small tubes used for drug delivery or for dialysis. A chest x-ray is usually taken after the placement of such medical devices to make sure everything is properly positioned.
A rib x-ray is essentially a chest x-ray that allows you to visualize the heart, lungs, blood vessels, airways, chest bones, and spine. A chest x-ray may also show fluid in the lungs or in the tissues surrounding the lungs.
If a patient presents to a doctor or the emergency room with chest pain, chest trauma, or shortness of breath, they will usually be referred for a chest x-ray. A chest x-ray helps a doctor determine if a patient has heart problems, pneumonia, broken ribs, emphysema, cancer, or any other condition.
A chest x-ray is a common way to diagnose the disease. But it can also be used to determine if a particular treatment is working. Some people have a series of chest x-rays taken over time to monitor whether a health problem is improving or worsening.
A chest x-ray is a common type of examination. A chest x-ray is often among the first procedures a patient will have if a doctor suspects they have a heart or lung condition. It can also be used to check how a patient is responding to treatment.
Preparing for the procedure
It is important to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Radiological examination of the ribs is contraindicated during pregnancy, but in the presence of vital indications, when the benefit outweighs the risk, the procedure can be performed in such a way as to protect the abdomen from radiation.
Before the chest X-ray, the patient undresses to the waist. Jewelry should also be removed from the waist and neck, as clothing and jewelry can obscure x-rays.
During the procedure, the body is positioned between a machine that emits x-rays and a plate that creates an image digitally or on x-ray film. The patient may be asked to move to different positions to look both in front and in lateral projection.
During the examination in direct projection, the patient stands on the platform, holds his arms up or at his sides and tilts his shoulders forward. x-raylaboratory assistant may ask you to take a deep breath and hold your breath for a few seconds. By holding the breath after inhalation, the heart and lungs appear more clearly in the image.
The x-ray examination is painless. The patient does not feel anything, because the radiation passes through the body. If the patient has any impairment of consciousness, or severe pain, then he can be examined while sitting or lying down.
An X-ray is a safe and painless examination that helps visualize a person’s chest and ribs. Many patients are concerned aboutactive X-ray exposuretheir rays in the studyespecially if they are held regularly. But the amount of radiation in an x-ray of the ribs is small – even lower than the constant exposure to natural sources of radiation in the environment.