Cirrhosis chest x ray

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vishnu Vardhan Serla M.B.B.S. [2] Sudarshana Datta, MD [3]

Chest x ray has a limited role in the diagnosis and management of cirrhosis, but may be helpful in the identification of certain complications that can occur as a result of cirrhosis.

• Chest x ray has a limited role in the diagnosis and management of patients with cirrhosis.
• CXR is used to screen for ascites, seek evidence of bowel perforation in patients with suspected spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and monitor bowel distension in acutely ill patients admitted for treatment of decompensation or variceal hemorrhage.
• X ray may show elevation of the diaphragm from ascites.
• Gynecomastia may be appreciated on CXR.
• The azygos vein may be enlarged due to collateral flow and pleural effusions may develop due to pleuroperitoneal fistulas.
• Esophageal varices may be detected on barium study.
  

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