Acute 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]; Nate Michalak, B.A.

Overview

Chest x-ray findings are normal in patients with acute bronchitis and thus, chest radiography is not routinely recommended.

Chest x-ray

Normal view of the lungs is the most common finding. Chest x-ray may be ordered in specific situations, including:^[1]^[2]

Suspicion of pneumonia
Cough lasting for greater than 3 weeks
In high-risk patients,
- Extremes ends of the age spectrum
- Patients with COPD, recent pneumonia, malignancy, congestive heart failure, tuberculosis, or those who are immunocompromised or have debilitated status
Abnormal vital signs (pulse >100/minute, respiratory rate >24 breaths/minute, or temperature >38°C)
Rales or signs of consolidation on chest examination

References

↑ Albert RH (2010). “Diagnosis and treatment of acute bronchitis”. Am Fam Physician. 82 (11): 1345–50. PMID 21121518.
↑ 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.

Overview