What is an X-ray?
X-rays use low levels of external radiation to produce images of the body, the organs, and other internal structures for diagnostic purposes.
X-rays pass through body structures onto specially treated plates (much like camera film) and make a "negative" type picture.
The more solid a structure is, the whiter it appears on the film. For this reason, bones appear very white on an x-ray film. Less dense tissue — such as muscle, blood, skin, and fat — appears darker.
Why Might My Child Need a Chest X-ray?
At the Heart Institute at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, doctors may use chest x-rays to assess your child's heart status — either directly or indirectly — by looking at the heart itself, as well as the lungs.
Changes in the normal structure of the heart, lungs, and/or lung vessels may suggest disease or other problems.
Some of the conditions that we can assess with a chest x-ray include:
- Heart enlargement — that can occur with congenital heart defects or cardiomyopathy.
- Fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion) — a build-up of excess fluid between the heart and the membrane that surrounds it, often due to inflammation.
- Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) — that can occur with congenital heart disease or congestive heart failure.
- Pleural effusion — a build-up of blood or fluid around the lung.
- Pneumonia and other lung diseases.
Doctors may also order chest x-rays as part of a physical exam or before your child's hospital stay and/or surgery to:
- Assess symptoms of heart or lung conditions.
- Check the position of implanted pacemaker wires or other internal devices, such as central venous catheters.
- Check the status of the lungs and chest cavity after surgery.
To make a final diagnosis of cardiac conditions, your child's doctor may perform other tests such as:
Make an Appointment for a Chest X-ray
To make an appointment or learn more about chest x-rays, contact the Heart Institute at UPMC Children's Hospital at 412-692-5540.
Learn More About Chest X-rays
View our chest x-ray patient procedure sheet.
