Chronic bronchitis chest x ray

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

Overview

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.

Chest X Ray

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]:

Radiolucency
Diaphragmatic flattening due to hyperinflation
Increased retrosternal airspace on the lateral radiograph

Note the flattened diaphragm and increased intercostal spaces due to hyperinflation.

References

↑ Mehta GR, Mohammed R, Sarfraz S, Khan T, Ahmed K, Villareal M, Martinez D, Iskander J, Mohammed R (2016). “Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A guide for the primary care physician”. Dis Mon. 62 (6): 164–87. doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2016.03.002. PMID 27087562.

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[pmid27087562-1] Mehta GR, Mohammed R, Sarfraz S, Khan T, Ahmed K, Villareal M, Martinez D, Iskander J, Mohammed R (2016). “Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A guide for the primary care physician”. Dis Mon. 62 (6): 164–87. doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2016.03.002. PMID 27087562.

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