• Will a chest x-ray detect daughter's bronchitis?

My daughter is 14 years old and has a really rough cough. Her doctor believes that she has bronchitis and wants us to have a chest x-ray. Will a chest x-ray detect bronchitis?

4 Answers

  • Pulmonologist
  • Palm Springs, CA

A chest X-ray is best to detect pneumonia compared to bronchitis. It may not show bronchitis. I would expose a 14-year-old to radiation for suspicion of bronchitis.

  • Pulmonologist
  • Phoenix, Arizona

Hard to tell, bronchitis is a clinical diagnosis. Is this acute or chronic? If acute, why not treat and see? If chronic, X-ray is part of making a differential for the diagnosis, but so are pulmonary function tests and lab work.

Andres Borja Alvarez, MD

  • Pulmonologist
  • Farmington, CT

Very unlikely

  • Pulmonologist (Pediatric) | Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Sacramento, CA

Less likely, unless it is long standing.

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