Radiographic methods of examination of the thoracic cavity organs in the elderly: age characteristics, norms and pathology

Abstract

Prolongation of a healthy life duration is one of the priority tasks in terms of solving the problem of quality and safety of medical activity. Respiratory diseases account for the significant amount in the morbidity structure of the geriatric population. Such diseases include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma and acute respiratory viral diseases, which, in combination with other pathological conditions, contribute to an increase in morbidity and mortality of the population in this group. These diseases among the geriatric population are characterized by a latent onset, the absence of obvious clinical manifestations, monotony of symptoms, the presence of combined pathologies, which can lead to erroneous diagnoses. X‑ray research methods play a key role in the diagnosis of pathologies of respiratory diseases. However, it is necessary to correctly assess the age‑related processes that cause morphological changes in the chest, and adequately differentiate them from the obvious manifestations of diseases. The role of the radiologist in this can be decisive. The joint work of geriatricians, radiologists, pulmonologists will help to provide a clear comprehensive assessment and interpretation of the visualization of various conditions of the respiratory system in the elderly. In this review, the features of chest radiography in elderly patients associated with age‑related changes are analyzed and their differentiation with pathological manifestations is carried.