title: The need for chest radiography before initiating non-invasive ventilation: a case report.
abstract: Severe, acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are a common presentation to emergency departments in the UK. In this group of patients, clinical examination can be unreliable in excluding a pneumothorax. With the increasing role of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in these cases, we present a case report that highlights the need for an urgent chest X-ray prior to commencement of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation.
authors.affiliation: Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, Suffolk IP, UK. Usman.jaffer@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Usman
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jaffer
authors.forename: Duncan J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: McAuley
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic