SELF STUDY TUTORIAL IN CHEST X-RAY INTERPRETATION AN ILLUSTRATED COMPANION

This is a first- of- its- kind in the history of radiology education in India.Chest x-ray interpretation is one of the most common procedure which any medical doctor would performing his day to day practice,irrespective of one’s specialty.Learning the principles of chest x-ray interpretation should start .ideally,when one graduates into a medical doctor.In my four decades of teaching radiology practice,I have found that most doctors are inadequate,inconsistent and not confident in chest x-ray interpretation.This is because radiology is not a part of undergraduate syllabus.Hardly any classes are devoted to teaching radiology in undergraduate medical college.Hence I have devised this self –learning tutorial on chest x-ray interpretation.This basic course is devoted to undergraduate medical students.the contents of this course is carefully chosen so that students can easily follow and get benefited. Case discussion is limited to their clinical requirement.
The core contents are conveniently divided into six small chapters so that students can easily understand and follow.Each chapter has a take home points.The contents have the following in-sequence- basics of x-rays, basic of radio graphic density,basics of radiographic technique,basic radiographic anatomy in chest x-ray for lung study.,basic radio graphic interpretation for lung pathology.Only common diseases that a medical student would encounter in his undergraduate curriculum are discussed.
The highlight of this tutorial is the chest xray interpretation based on pattern analysis.This approach is very unique and it has never been attempted till date.To simplify chest x-ray interpretation,I have deviced this pattern analysis method ,which I think would be a trend setter.This makes chest x-ray interpretation very easy,very simple.
The course is lavishly illustrated with x-rays and corresponding line diagrams to highlight salient findings.Suitable tables are given as and when required.
The course has many self evaluating exercises ,in each chapter,which help students check their understanding of the chest x-ray basics enumerated in the main part of the course. The answers for all types of exercises- fill ups.matching ,structure identification to name a few- are given at the end of each exercise.
I hope and trust that this self-learning module for chest x-ray interpretation for lung pathology would be a boon to all the young doctors desirous of learning chest x-ray.All the young doctors,medical students,general practitioners would be immensely benefited.
Technical details are kept to the barest minimum.I have deliberately avoided difficult technical jargon's ,so that students can easily understand the basic core.This course contains over 200 chest x-rays,43 chest x-rays-line diagrams,10 figures, 8 tables,10 flow charts and 6 types of exercises.