Respiratory and sleep medicine
Chest imaging interpretation
A systematic read of the chest X-ray, lobar collapse signs, HRCT patterns, incidental nodules (Fleischner 2017 and the Australian screening protocol), CTPA versus V/Q, PET-CT pitfalls and lung ultrasound.
Tier 1Medical sciences concept
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- The chest X-ray is the commonest test you'll interpret on call. Read it the same way every time, then compare with old films.
- CT answers most questions the X-ray raises. Ask for the right protocol: contrast CT for masses and staging, HRCT for interstitial disease, CTPA for PE, low-dose CT for screening.
- Incidental nodules follow Fleischner 2017. Screening nodules in the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (from 1 July 2025) follow a bespoke Australian protocol (PanCan at baseline, Lung-RADS-based at follow-up).
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Finished reading?
Sources
- MacMahon H et al. Guidelines for management of incidental pulmonary nodules detected on CT images: from the Fleischner Society 2017. Radiology 2017;284:228-43Fleischner Society (Radiology), 2017
- Rankin NM et al. Program Guidelines for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program: targeted lung cancer screening in high-risk individuals in Australia. Med J Aust 2026;224(7):e70234AU/NZMedical Journal of Australia, 2026
- McCusker MW et al. Rationale for the nodule management protocol of the Australian National Lung Cancer Screening Program. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2026;70(3):294-303AU/NZRoyal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (JMIRO), 2026
- Callister MEJ et al. British Thoracic Society guidelines for the investigation and management of pulmonary nodules. Thorax 2015;70(Suppl 2):ii1-ii54British Thoracic Society (Thorax), 2015 (current BTS guideline; update under way)
- Raghu G et al. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (an update) and progressive pulmonary fibrosis in adults: an official ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT clinical practice guideline. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2022;205:e18-e47American Thoracic Society, 2022
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
What changed
- 14 November 2026 Personal emails, About story and Australian-style copy