Radiology Group | General X-ray

Imaging Excellence in the Quad Cities Since 1945

General X-ray » Chest
General Info | Chest | View Full Exam List

X-ray

An X-ray of the chest is the most commonly performed type of diagnostic x-ray exam and is used for evaluating the health of the lungs, heart and chest wall. Medical conditions such as pneumonia, congestive heart failure, emphysema, and lung cancer can be diagnosed on a chest x-ray. Your physician may order a chest x-ray if you are having symptoms such as shortness of breath, a bad or persistent cough, chest pain, chest injury or fever. A chest x-ray may be repeated within hours, days or months to evaluate for any changes (e.g., "serial" chest x-rays).

There is no special preparation required for this exam.
Because it involves exposure to radiation, inform your doctor and Radiologic Technologist if there is any possibility you are pregnant.
You will be asked to change into a loose-fitting gown and remove all metallic jewelry that may interfere with the x-rays.
If available, please bring copies of previous x-rays if your exam is for the same area being imaged. (If your previous imaging was performed at Genesis, Radiology Group will retrieve your previous x-rays for you.)

Your Radiologic Technologist will position your chest against a box-like apparatus that contains an x-ray film cassette. In some instances you may lie flat on an x-ray table while an overhead x-ray tube is suspended above the table. The x-ray tube exposes your chest to a small dose of radiation to produce an image of the internal organs.

An x-ray of the chest takes approximately 15 minutes from the time you enter the x-ray suite until you leave. The actual x-ray time is less than 5 minutes. When the exam is completed you may be asked to wait until the Radiologist determines if more images are required.
Chest X-ray

A Radiologist (a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing disease and injury using medical imaging technology) analyzes and interprets your exam within 24 hours. He/she dictates a Report of the findings and sends it to your physician. Your physician's office will inform you of your results. Due to the number of patients your physician serves, it may be 7 to 10 days before he/she is prepared to respond to your Report. To reduce waiting time, please bring copies of previous scans if your exam is for the same area being imaged.

Traditionally, chest x-rays have been performed prior to employment, surgery, or during immigration. Many insurance companies have reevaluated the use of "routine" chest x-rays and have opted to no longer pay for them in the absence of specific signs, symptoms or medical conditions.

It is not possible for our office to determine individual coverage. Coverage for imaging tests is variable and depends on your insurance carrier, your plan, any exclusions, and sometimes the reasons for the examination. Prior to undergoing any imaging test, please call the number on the back of your insurance card to determine if it will be covered.

Contact us at (563) 359-3931

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