An X-Ray Tech’s Guide to Radiography in Obese Patients
Obese patients are at risk for increased radiation exposure due to the increase in radiation needed to penetrate tissue, the risk for repeat exams due to difficult positioning and technique, an incompatibility with existing equipment, and because obese patients suffer from health conditions which require radiologic procedures more than the average public.
A 57 year old man who weighed 490 lb (223 kg). Chest radiograph shows limited diagnostic quality image with poor X-ray penetration and poor visualization of lung bases.