X-ray

Jai Ganesh · Yesterday 20:05:12

X-ray

Gist

An X-ray is a quick, painless test that captures images of the structures inside the body — particularly the bones. X-ray beams pass through the body. These beams are absorbed in different amounts depending on the density of the material they pass through.

The full name for "X-ray" is X-radiation, referring to its nature as a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation, with the 'X' signifying its unknown nature when first discovered by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in 1895.

In many languages, it's also called Röntgen radiation, honoring its discoverer. Through experimentation, he found that the mysterious light would pass through most substances but leave shadows of solid objects. Because he did not know what the rays were, he called them 'X,' meaning 'unknown,' rays.

Summary

An X-ray is a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than those of ultraviolet rays and longer than those of gamma rays. Roughly, X-rays have a wavelength ranging from 10 nanometers to 10 picometers, corresponding to frequencies in the range of 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz (3×{10}^{16} Hz to 3×{10}^{19} Hz) and photon energies in the range of 100 eV to 100 keV, respectively.

X-rays were discovered in 1895 by the German scientist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, who named it X-radiation to signify an unknown type of radiation.

X-rays can penetrate many solid substances such as construction materials and living tissue, so X-ray radiography is widely used in medical diagnostics (e.g., checking for broken bones) and materials science (e.g., identification of some chemical elements and detecting weak points in construction materials). However X-rays are ionizing radiation and exposure can be hazardous to health, causing DNA damage, cancer and, at higher intensities, burns and radiation sickness. Their generation and use is strictly controlled by public health authorities.

Details

X-rays are a way for healthcare providers to get pictures of the inside of your body. X-rays use radiation to create black-and-white images that a radiologist reads. Then, they send a report to your provider. X-rays are mostly known for looking at bones and joints. But providers can use them to diagnose other conditions, too.

Overview:

What is an X-ray?

An X-ray is a type of medical imaging that uses radiation to take pictures of the inside of your body. We often think of an X-ray as something that checks for broken bones. But X-ray images can help providers diagnose other injuries and diseases, too.

Many people think of X-rays as black-and-white, two-dimensional images. But modern X-ray technology is often combined with other technologies to make more advanced types of images.

Types of X-rays

Some specific imaging tests that use X-rays are:

* Bone density (DXA) scan: This test captures X-ray images while also checking the strength and mineral content of your bones.
* CT scan (computed tomography): CT scans use X-ray and computers to create 3D images of the inside of your body.
* Dental X-ray: A dental provider takes X-rays of your mouth to look for cavities or issues with your gums.
* Fluoroscopy: This test uses a series of X-rays to show the inside of your body in real time. Providers use it to help diagnose issues with specific body parts. They also use it to help guide certain procedures, like an angiogram.
* Mammogram: This is a special X-ray of your breasts that shows irregularities that could lead to breast cancer.

X-rays can help healthcare providers diagnose various conditions in your body. Some of the most common areas on your body to get an X-ray are:

* Abdominal X-ray: This X-ray helps providers evaluate parts of your digestive system and diagnose conditions like kidney stones and bladder stones.
* Bone X-ray: You might get a bone X-ray if your provider suspects you have a broken bone, dislocated joint or arthritis. Images from bone X-rays can also show signs of bone cancer or infection.
* Chest X-ray: Your provider might order a chest X-ray if you have symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath or a cough. It can look for signs of infection in your lungs or congestive heart failure.
* Head X-ray: These can help providers see skull fractures from head injuries or conditions that affect how the bones in your skull form, like craniosynostosis.
* Spine X-ray: A provider can use a spine X-ray to look for arthritis and scoliosis.

Test Details:

How do X-rays work?

X-rays work by sending beams of radiation through your body to create images on an X-ray detector nearby. Radiation beams are invisible, and you can’t feel them.

As the beams go through your body, bones, soft tissues and other structures absorb radiation in different ways:

* Solid or dense tissues (like bones and tumors) absorb radiation easily, so they appear bright white on the image.
* Soft tissues (like organs, muscle and fat) don’t absorb radiation as easily, so they appear in shades of gray on the X-ray.

A radiologist interprets the image and writes a report for the physician who ordered the X-ray. They make note of anything that’s abnormal or concerning. Then, your healthcare provider shares the results with you.

How do I prepare?

Preparation for an X-ray depends on the type of X-ray you’re getting. Your provider may ask you to:

* Remove metal objects like jewelry, hairpins or hearing aids (metal can interfere with X-rays and make the results inaccurate)
* Wear comfortable clothing or change into a gown before the X-ray

Tell your healthcare provider about your health history, allergies and any medications you’re taking. Let them know if you’re pregnant or think you could be.

What can I expect during an X-ray?

The exact steps of an X-ray depend on the kind you’re getting. In general, your provider will follow these steps during an X-ray:

* They’ll ask you to sit, stand or lie down on a table. In the past, your provider may have covered you with a lead shield (apron), but new evidence suggests that they aren’t necessary.
* Your provider will position the camera near the body part that they’re getting a picture of.
* Then, they’ll move your body or limbs in different positions and ask you to hold still. They may also ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds so the images aren’t blurry.

Sometimes, children can’t stay still long enough to produce clear images. Your child’s provider may recommend using a restraint during an X-ray. The restraint helps your child stay still and reduces the need for retakes. The restraints don’t hurt and won’t harm your child.

What happens after?

Most of the time, there aren’t any restrictions on what you can do after an X-ray. You can go back to your typical activities.

What are the risks or side effects of X-rays?

X-rays are safe and low risk.

X-rays use a safe and small amount of radiation — not much more than the naturally occurring radiation you get in your daily life. For instance, a dental X-ray exposes you to about the same amount of background radiation you’d get in one day.

X-ray radiation is usually safe for adults. But it can be harmful to a fetus. If you’re pregnant, your provider may choose another imaging test, like ultrasound.

Additional Information:

Overview

An X-ray is a quick, painless test that captures images of the structures inside the body — particularly the bones.

X-ray beams pass through the body. These beams are absorbed in different amounts depending on the density of the material they pass through. Dense materials, such as bone and metal, show up as white on X-rays. The air in the lungs shows up as black. Fat and muscle appear as shades of gray.

For some types of X-ray tests, a contrast medium — such as iodine or barium — is put into the body to get greater detail on the images.

Why it's done:

X-ray technology is used to examine many parts of the body.

Bones and teeth

* Fractures and infections. In most cases, fractures and infections in bones and teeth show up clearly on X-rays.
* Arthritis. X-rays of the joints can show evidence of arthritis. X-rays taken over the years can help your healthcare team tell if your arthritis is worsening.
* Dental decay. Dentists use X-rays to check for cavities in the teeth.
* Osteoporosis. Special types of X-ray tests can measure bone density.
* Bone cancer. X-rays can reveal bone tumors.

Chest

* Lung infections or conditions. Evidence of pneumonia, tuberculosis or lung cancer can show up on chest X-rays.
* Breast cancer. Mammography is a special type of X-ray test used to examine breast tissue.
* Enlarged heart. This sign of congestive heart failure shows up clearly on X-rays.
* Blocked blood vessels. Injecting a contrast material that contains iodine can help highlight sections of the circulatory system so they can be seen easily on X-rays.

Abdomen

* Digestive tract issues. Barium, a contrast medium delivered in a drink or an enema, can help show problems in the digestive system.
* Swallowed items. If a child has swallowed something such as a key or a coin, an X-ray can show the location of that object.

X-ray technology is used to examine many parts of the body.

Risks:

Radiation exposure

Some people worry that X-rays aren't safe. This is because radiation exposure can cause cell changes that may lead to cancer. The amount of radiation you're exposed to during an X-ray depends on the tissue or organ being examined. Sensitivity to the radiation depends on your age, with children being more sensitive than adults.

Generally, however, radiation exposure from an X-ray is low, and the benefits from these tests far outweigh the risks.

However, if you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, tell your healthcare team before having an X-ray. Though most diagnostic X-rays pose only small risk to an unborn baby, your care team may decide to use another imaging test, such as ultrasound.

Contrast medium

In some people, the injection of a contrast medium can cause side effects such as:

* A feeling of warmth or flushing.
* A metallic taste.
* Lightheadedness.
* Nausea.
* Itching.
* Hives.

Rarely, severe reactions to a contrast medium occur, including:

* Very low blood pressure.
* Difficulty breathing.
* Swelling of the throat or other parts of the body.

How you prepare:

Different types of X-rays require different preparations. Ask your healthcare team to provide you with specific instructions.

What to wear

In general, you undress whatever part of your body needs examination. You may wear a gown during the exam depending on which area is being X-rayed. You also may be asked to remove jewelry, eyeglasses and any metal objects because they can show up on an X-ray.

Contrast material

Before having some types of X-rays, you're given a liquid called contrast medium. Contrast mediums, such as barium and iodine, help outline a specific area of your body on the X-ray image. You may swallow the contrast medium or receive it as an injection or an enema.

What you can expect:

During the X-ray

X-rays are performed at medical offices, dentists' offices, emergency rooms and hospitals — wherever an X-ray machine is available. The machine produces a safe level of radiation that passes through the body and records an image on a specialized plate. You can't feel an X-ray.

A technologist positions your body to get the necessary views. Pillows or sandbags may be used to help you hold the position. During the X-ray exposure, you remain still and sometimes hold your breath to avoid moving so that the image doesn't blur.

An X-ray procedure may take just a few minutes for a simple X-ray or longer for more-involved procedures, such as those using a contrast medium.

Your child's X-ray

If a young child is having an X-ray, restraints or other tools may be used to keep the child still. These won't harm the child and they prevent the need for a repeat procedure, which may be necessary if the child moves during the X-ray exposure.

You may be allowed to remain with your child during the test. If you remain in the room during the X-ray exposure, you'll likely be asked to wear a lead apron to shield you from unnecessary X-ray exposure.

After the X-ray

After an X-ray, you generally can resume usual activities. Routine X-rays usually have no side effects. However, if you're given contrast medium before your X-ray, drink plenty of fluids to help rid your body of the contrast. Call your healthcare team if you have pain, swelling or redness at the injection site. Ask your team about other symptoms to watch for.

Results:

X-rays are saved digitally on computers and can be viewed on-screen within minutes. A radiologist typically views and interprets the results and sends a report to a member of your healthcare team, who then explains the results to you. In an emergency, your X-ray results can be made available in minutes.

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X-ray

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