Common Abnormalities on Portable Chest Radiography

Several acute pulmonary diseases are common in the inpatient setting including: Pneumonia, Aspiration, Pulmonary edema, Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), Atelectasis, and Pleural effusions or hemothorax. Appreciation of the clinical presentations and common imaging findings of these diseases is essential in interpreting bedside chest radiography. The chest radiograph is the most commonly performed radiographic examination, and bedside radiography plays an important role in assessing acute cardiopulmonary disease in the inpatient setting, particularly within intensive care units (ICUs). Radiologists must be aware of the range of abnormalities that manifest on bedside chest radiography in order to optimize patient care.