Previous studies have shown low efficacy of screening chest radiographs in
various populations. Findings of approximately 3,500 screening chest radiog
raphs performed for flight duty were reviewed to determine the rate of dete
ction of significant abnormalities. There were abnormal findings in 107 che
st radiographs (3%). Fifty-five of these (1.6% of total), after additional
evaluation, were found to be false positive. Only two medically significant
conditions were found in the screening population. Based on our data, rout
ine screening of flight duty applicants does not appear to be justified.