Bronchitis chest x ray

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2]; Nate Michalak, B.A.

Bronchitis Main page

Patient Information

Overview

Causes

Classification

Acute bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis

Differential Diagnosis

Overview

Chest x-ray findings are normal in patients with acute bronchitis and thus, chest radiography is not routinely recommended. The classic signs of chronic bronchitis are over-expanded lung (hyperinflation), a flattened diaphragm, increased retrosternal airspace, and occasionally, bullae.[1] Chest x-ray can be useful to help exclude other lung diseases, such as pneumonia, pulmonary edema or a pneumothorax.[1]

Chest x-ray

Acute bronchitis

Normal view of the lungs is the most common finding. Chest x-ray may be ordered in specific situations, including the following:[2][3]

  • Suspected pneumonia
  • Cough lasting more than 3 weeks
  • Abnormal vital signs (pulse >100/minute, respiratory rate >24 breaths/minute, or temperature >38°C)
  • Signs of consolidation on chest examination

Chronic Bronchitis

  • Increased bronchovascular markings
  • Cardiomegaly
  • Right ventricular enlargement
  • Prominent hilar vascular shadows
  • Opacity in retrosternal air spaces (pulmonary hypertension)

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Torres M, Moayedi S (2007). "Evaluation of the acutely dyspneic elderly patient". Clin. Geriatr. Med. 23 (2): 307–25, vi. doi:10.1016/j.cger.2007.01.007. PMID 17462519. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. Albert RH (2010). "Diagnosis and treatment of acute bronchitis". Am Fam Physician. 82 (11): 1345–50. PMID 21121518.
  3. Gonzales R, Bartlett JG, Besser RE, Cooper RJ, Hickner JM, Hoffman JR, Sande MA (2001). "Principles of appropriate antibiotic use for treatment of uncomplicated acute bronchitis: background". Ann. Intern. Med. 134 (6): 521–9. PMID 11255532.

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