[Radiological examination of the thorax in intensive therapy centers]

Bedside chest radiography plays a considerable role in the whole of the exams carried out in hospitals, especially in intensive care units. Many clinical problems (pulmonary, cardiac, and mediastinal) are related to this examination and can be dealt with only when the radiologist is provided with high-quality radiographs. Therefore, it is extremely important for the radiologist himself to be aware of the various factors implied in the making and reproducing of bedside chest radiographs, which is a fundamental step in the monitoring of the patients undergoing intensive care. These factors can be divided into methodological factors (patient positioning, focus-film distance, and exposure) and technical factors (portable units, survey system). In this paper, a special emphasis is put on a survey system consisting in double differentiated screens and double film, which allows the acquisition of a normo-exposed radiograph of the parenchyma and of one of the mediastinum with a single exposure. Besides these technical and methodological elements, the radiologist must pay attention to the diagnostic-therapeutical means (such as tubes, small probes, and catheters) used on most patients in intensive care units. Their exact positioning must always be checked, and possible incorrect positioning and complications must be detected promptly. All these factors, as well as their scrupulous and constant application, contribute to markedly improve the dialogue between clinician and radiologist, by allowing a rapid evaluation of the cause of the clinical case under examination and its adequate treatment.