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Rad Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts. Medical sciences : Medical Sciences, Vol. 567 No. 70-71, 2025.

Review article

https://doi.org/10.21857/y26kecg4l9

Chest Radiography in the Intensive Care Unit - Need to Know Emergency Findings

Tinamarel Mandić Paulić orcid id orcid.org/0009-0003-8703-814X ; Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. *
Neva Coce orcid id orcid.org/0000-0001-5856-400X ; Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
Luka Filipović-Grčić ; Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
Ivica Paulić orcid id orcid.org/0009-0003-7514-9985 ; Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Merkur, Zagreb, Croatia
Nino Tičinović ; Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
Maja Prutki orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-2409-801X ; Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

* Corresponding author.

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Abstract

Conventional chest radiography, also known as a chest X-ray, is a fundamental imaging tool for diagnosing cardiopulmonary disorders in critically ill patients within the intensive care unit (ICU). The interpretation of these radiographs is complicated by intricate radiological features and the frequent presence of lines, tubes, and other monitoring devices, which can obscure critical findings. Many cardiopulmonary conditions exhibit similar radiographic signs, such as airspace opacification, which complicates diagnosis. Typically, emergency findings on ICU chest X-rays include misplaced lines and tubes, iatrogenic pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum, congestive heart failure, pleural and pericardial effusions, foreign bodies, atelectasis, and various forms of pneumonia. Recognizing these conditions promptly is essential for effective patient management. This review article aims to explore the common emergency findings observed in ICU chest radiographs, shedding light on the complexities that healthcare professionals face in diagnosing and treating cardiopulmonary disorders in critically ill patients.

Keywords

Radiographic interpretation; Intensive Care Unit (ICU); Chest radiography (X-ray); Cardiopulmonary disorders; Emergency findings

Hrčak ID:

333441

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/333441

Publication date:

25.6.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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