Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2]
Chronic bronchitis Microchapters |
Diagnosis |
Treatment |
Case Studies |
Chronic bronchitis chest x ray On the Web |
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Chronic bronchitis chest x ray |
Risk calculators and risk factors for Chronic bronchitis chest x ray |
Generally, chest x ray is not recommended for chronic bronchitis diagnosis, but it is common to order it to rule out other causes of dyspnea and productive cough such as: pneumonia and heart failure. The common findings for chronic bronchitis includes: hyperinflation and hyperlucency of the lungs.
X-ray findings are not sensitive or specific for chronic bronchitis but it is helpful to look for diagnoses other than COPD that might cause the patient's symptoms including: pneumonia, congestive heart failure, or even lung cancer. Common radiologic findings include[1]:
Note the flattened diaphragm and increased intercostal spaces due to hyperinflation.