The efficacy of the chest X-Ray exam as a technique for screening hospital populations

Abstract

The author analyses the efficacy of the AP chest telerradiograph as a screening technique in a Hospital - based population. It is shown that the AP chest X-Ray is of little value to the patient at the time of admission, first out-pacient visit and during pre-operatory evaluation. Only 7% of the patients studied showed a relevant assymptomatic pathology diagnosed by the examination. In patients aged 0-19 years, no abnormalities were identified by this procedure. The author suggests that AP chest X-Rays be discontinued for this age group and recommends its substitution by roentgen photography (35 mm) for older age groups.