Chest X-ray: What is it still useful for? Röntgen-Thorax: Wozu eigentlich noch?
Bayerl N, Fink CB, Agarwal P, Lisson C, Gassert FT, Harmes J, Salhöfer L (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article, Review article
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Book Volume: 52
Pages Range: 328-337
Journal Issue: 8
DOI: 10.5414/ATX02911
Abstract
Chest X-ray appears to be losing importance in radiological diagnostics, as modern cross-sectional imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) provide significantly higher anatomical detail resolution at relatively low radiation exposure, particularly with low-dose and ultra-low-dose techniques. This is especially evident in acute pneumonia diagnostics, oncological staging and the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases, where chest radiography has been largely replaced by CT. Nevertheless, chest X-ray remains indispensable in several clinical scenarios. In intensive care medicine, it is of central importance for verifying the position of medical devices and for detec ting acutely relevant complications such as pneumothoraces, atelectasis or pleural effusions. In the emergency department, chest radiography enables rapid triage and initial assessment in acute dyspnea or suspected heart failure. In resource-limited regions, it often represents the only available thoracic imaging modality and thus remains a fundamental tool in national tuberculosis screening programs. Furthermore, chest X-ray continues to be an established and economically efficient standard procedure for rough phenotyping in COPD and chronic airway diseases as well as for postoperative follow-up. Despite its diminishing diagnostic significance compared to CT, chest radiography remains a pragmatic, widely available and clinically relevant modality with a solid role in daily clinical practice.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Freiburg
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Ulm
Germany (DE)
Technische Universität München (TUM)
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Essen
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Freiburg
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Ulm
Germany (DE)
Technische Universität München (TUM)
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Essen
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Bayerl, N., Fink, C.B., Agarwal, P., Lisson, C., Gassert, F.T., Harmes, J., & Salhöfer, L. (2026). Chest X-ray: What is it still useful for? Röntgen-Thorax: Wozu eigentlich noch? Atemwegs- und Lungenkrankheiten, 52(8), 328-337. https://doi.org/10.5414/ATX02911
MLA:
Bayerl, Nadine, et al. "Chest X-ray: What is it still useful for? Röntgen-Thorax: Wozu eigentlich noch?" Atemwegs- und Lungenkrankheiten 52.8 (2026): 328-337.
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