Routine chest roentgenography in pregnancy
C. R. Bonebrake, K. L. Noller, C. P. Loehnen, J. R. Muhm and C. R. Fish
In an effort to determine if routine prenatal chest roentgenograms were of
practical value, the records of 12,109 consecutive deliveries at the Mayo
Clinic were reviewed retrospectively. The roentgenograms were obtained
during the first or second prenatal visit and additionally when warranted
by notable symptoms or physical findings in subsequent prenatal visits.
Forty-eight patients had appreciable roentgenographic abnormalities. The
findings of the general medical examination (which was routinely done at
the first prenatal visit) were reviewed to determine if the chest
abnormalities would have been suspected from the results of physical
examination alone. In every case, a positive history or abnormal physical
finding would have suggested the presence of the major abnormality or of
the need for roentgenography to be performed.
