A therapist would typically use a lateral decubitus x-ray to detect?

A lateral decubitus x-ray is particularly useful for detecting small pleural effusions because it allows for gravity to assist in visualizing fluid accumulation in the pleural space. In this position, any fluid present will layer out along the dependent part of the pleural cavity, making it more detectable compared to other imaging positions.

When a patient is positioned on their side, the resulting image can reveal even small amounts of fluid that may not be as easily identified on an upright chest x-ray, where the anatomy may obscure lighter levels of pleural effusion. This imaging technique is integral in assessing conditions related to lung and pleural pathology, where the detection of fluid can signify issues such as infection, malignancy, or heart failure.