Cheating Chest X-ray Results?

We are doing a study on how chest x-rays, besides other laboratory tests, can be cheated. One person attested that drinking milk before Chest x-rays can cover some lesions. I still don't know how that works. What do you guys do? and details please. Thanks!

there are many reasons, like a requirement for papers, etc. And it does happen. about 20% of our responents admit to having cheated.(the population is still small anyway).The point is, please just answer the question.;) I am informed the practice is a falsification of documents but we are trying to find out how it does work to prevent these things in the future. I am also oriented to ospital SOP, by the way
:)

Having worked with x-ray technology I am very doubtful that is more than an old-wives tale. We used x-rays equivalent to the power of a dental x-ray for examination of hidden contraband inside closed cargo containers. That power was enough to go through about 8 inches of steel and count the bullets inside an AK47. I doubt that the calcium in milk would obscure any lesions. Besides after you drink the milk it is not ending up where your most of your lungs are, so even if it had been opaque it would not have helped.

Why would you want to "cheat" on a chest x-ray. What if the lesions are cancer, TB, or cysts. What is the point in trying to cover what could be a fatal disease to you or your family or friends.

I would do nothing. If I have to come in for an X-ray then I would like to find out exactly what has been giving me the problem. If you want to hide your problems then don't come in for an X-ray.

Who the heck wants to cheat on x-rays? X-rays can detect things that might require further diagnostics, such as cancer. I guess that's why they say- cheaters never win! Besides, who has money to spend in going to the doctor and leaving improperly diagnosed!

I have never heard of the milk idea before, and I frankly can't see how it would work.

People generally try and "cheat" chest x-rays if they need to provide one as part of a mandatory medical exam for health insurance coverage, in order to later try and claim lung cancer or emphysema as an emergent as opposed to pre-existing condition.

I've also heard of it being done by foreigners with TB who want to get a student visa into the US. In order to prevent the re-introduction of TB into the close confines of a dorm, for instance, most colleges require a mandatory TB skin test, and if you test positive, a chest x-ray with negative findings of prior (or, god forbid, active) granulomas.

-Dr. Finn