[Diagnostic pitfalls, artefacts and difficulties of thoracic radiography]

The antero-posterior X-ray film of the chest is still a basic examination in everyday clinical practice. It supplies multiple data but reading of the image is difficult and requires much accuracy and method. In this review paper we examine all the artefacts, pitfalls and diagnostic problems we have encountered in many years of experience, irrespective of their cause (technical, iatrogenic) or origin (parietal, intrathoracic, pleural, vascular, gastrointestinal, mediastinal, pulmonary). We consider that all pneumologists should have in mind these problems when faced with doubtful or abnormal radiographs of the chest.