PERBANDINGAN HASIL GAMBAR ANATOMI RADIOLOGI THORAX POSTERO ANTERIOR (PA) DENGAN FULL INSPIRASI DAN TIDAK INSPIRASI DI RS TK II PROF. Dr. J. A. LATUMETTEN

The thorax is a cone-shaped cavity that protects vital organs such as
the heart and lungs. It is formed by twelve thoracic vertebrae posteriorly, the sternum
anteriorly, the clavicles and scapulae superiorly, and the diaphragm inferiorly. Radiographic
examination of the thorax in postero-anterior (PA) projection relies heavily on the patient’s
ability to perform full inspiration in order to obtain optimal anatomical visualization.
Objective: This study aimed to compare the anatomical image quality of thoracic radiographs
in PA projection between full inspiration and non-inspiration conditions.
Methods: This study used a quantitative approach with a total of 30 thoracic
radiographs, consisting of 15 full inspiration and 15 non-inspiration images. The evaluation
was performed by one radiographer and one radiologist using a 1–3 scoring scale based on
five anatomical parameters: visualization of posterior ribs, diaphragm position, heart border
clarity, scapular position, and visualization of lung apices.
Results: The results showed that thoracic radiographs taken during full inspiration
demonstrated superior anatomical quality, characterized by a greater number of visible ribs
(≥10 pairs), a lower and flatter diaphragm position, and clearer cardiac and mediastinal
borders. Conversely, radiographs obtained without inspiration exhibited increased lung
density, higher diaphragm position, and a pseudo-cardiomegaly effect due to apparent cardiac
enlargement. Conclusion: Full inspiration significantly affects the diagnostic quality of
thoracic PA radiographs. Therefore, patient cooperation during breathing instructions and
radiographer precision during exposure are essential to achieve optimal diagnostic images.