Excluding the lateral view in chest radiograph screenings decreases radiation exposure by 67 percent
Thursday, April 23, 2009 - 11:35
in Health & Medicine
For the patient with a positive PPD test, which usually indicates prior exposure to tuberculosis, the guidelines recommend a chest x-ray that typically includes a frontal and lateral view. The lateral view, which accounts for 2/3 of the total radiation dose during screening, is not necessary, according to a study performed at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA.