Thorax

Modalities

• 

  Projectional radiography ("X-ray") of the thorax

• 

  CT of the thorax

Other modalities

• Fluoroscopy of the thorax

• Fluoroscopy of central venous catheters

• Ultrasonography of the thorax

• Ultrasound-guided chest tube insertion

Choice of investigation

• X-ray of the thorax is generally the initial investigation of choice in dyspnea.
• CT of the thorax is generally the investigation of choice in pulmonary embolism and aortic dissection. It is recommended as complementary to X-ray in chest trauma.

Locations

• Ribs

• X-ray of rib fracture

• Sternoclavicular joint

• X-ray of sternoclavicular osteoarthritis

Diseases and conditions

• Chest trauma
• Aortic dissection
• Pulmonary embolism
• Central venous catheters

Superficial soft tissue diseases:

• Abscess
• Lipoma

. Blunt Chest Trauma, ACR Appropriateness Criteria. American College of Radiology. Date of origin: 2013