Abnormal Chest Radiograph Report Examples
Review measured report examples for pneumonia, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, edema, and atelectasis, with limits on how to use them.
A chest radiograph phrase should not turn an unverified finding into a diagnosis. Useful wording states the location and distribution of an opacity, associated findings, and technical limits. It keeps radiographic evidence separate from the final clinical diagnosis.
These examples are teaching material. Adapt each sentence to projection, rotation, inspiration, and available priors. Heart size and mediastinal width need particular caution on portable AP images.
Assessment framework
- For focal airspace opacity, name the lobe or zone and any silhouette sign.
- For pleural fluid, state the side, amount, and costophrenic-angle appearance.
- For pneumothorax, describe the pleural line and degree of lung collapse.
- For edema, assess distribution, heart size, and pleural fluid together.
- For atelectasis, separate volume-loss signs from the opacity itself.
What the report should contain
- Pneumonia example: New right lower-zone consolidation contains air bronchograms.
- Effusion example: A small left pleural effusion blunts the costophrenic angle.
- Pneumothorax example: A right apical pleural line is visible without distal vascular markings.
- Edema example: Bilateral perihilar interstitial and airspace opacities support pulmonary edema.
- Atelectasis example: Linear left lower-lobe opacity is accompanied by fissural displacement and volume loss.
Common errors
- Naming an infectious organism or histology from one radiograph.
- Calling cardiomegaly definite on a technically limited AP image.
- Leaving a critical pneumothorax finding only in the written report.
Example report wording
A concise impression might read: New right lower-lobe consolidation compatible with pneumonia. Small right pleural effusion. Imaging follow-up after treatment may document resolution when clinically indicated. Age, risk, and local policy determine that recommendation.
Use the normal chest radiograph report for normal examples and the chest radiograph checklist for review order.
References
- American College of Radiology. Practice Parameter for Chest Radiography. Source (opens in a new tab)
- American College of Radiology. Practice Parameter for Portable Chest Radiography. Source (opens in a new tab)
Clinical note: This material is for radiology education. Do not generate an automatic diagnosis or management decision without checking guideline scope, patient factors, and local policy.
Clinical use note
This content is educational and is not patient-specific medical advice. Every phrase, template, classification result, and recommendation must be verified and adapted by a physician using the complete examination, clinical context, current guidelines, and institutional protocol.
Adapt the report framework to the case
Use this review order with an editable RadPhrases template and verify every line against the images.
Related calculators
Browse the other checklists, phrase sets, and systematic approaches in this topic.