chest X-ray
Also written as: CXR — chest X-ray
A plain radiographic image of the thorax used as a first-line imaging tool in pediatric pulmonology to evaluate lung fields, cardiac silhouette, bony structures, and mediastinal contours.
Full Definition
A chest X-ray (CXR) is a posteroanterior (PA) or anteroposterior (AP) radiograph of the thorax that provides essential structural information including assessment of lung inflation, identification of consolidation, effusion, cardiomegaly, and skeletal abnormalities. In pediatric pulmonology, AP projections are standard for infants and young children who cannot stand for a PA view. Editors must apply consistent styling: 'chest X-ray' is the most widely used form in clinical documents (with a capital 'X' and hyphen); 'chest radiograph' is the preferred formal term in peer-reviewed publications; and 'CXR' is acceptable as an abbreviation after first use. 'Chest x-ray' (lowercase x) and 'chest x ray' (no hyphen) are common errors editors should correct to house style.
Usage
Usage note: Style as 'chest X-ray' (capital X, hyphen) in clinical documents; 'chest radiograph' in formal academic writing. 'CXR' is the accepted abbreviation. Do not write 'chest x ray' without hyphen.
In Context
- "The attending physician ordered a chest X-ray to assess for new pulmonary infiltrates in the febrile, tachypneic infant." — Clinical note editing
- "The journal style guide required 'chest radiograph' rather than 'chest X-ray' throughout the manuscript; the editor updated all instances accordingly." — Journal manuscript copy-editing