Thoracic imaging

Despite recent technological advances, chest radiography remains the cornerstone of thoracic imaging. The chest radiograph is justifiably regarded as an integral part of the examination of the patient in respiratory medicine. Because of the wealth of information available from chest radiography, careful interpretation of the chest radiograph remains a necessary clinical skill. Advances in cross-sectional imaging have had a great impact in improving the diagnosis of thoracic pathology, not only for the assessment of mediastinal disease but also in the evaluation of patients with suspected diffuse lung disease. Nevertheless, a chest radiograph should always be obtained and looked at carefully before submitting a patient to more sophisticated imaging techniques. In the case of CT, the expense and radiation burden are important considerations.