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 What is a Routine X-Ray?
The x-ray has been called one of the most significant advances
in all of medical history. Routine x-ray involves exposing
a part of the body to a small dose of radiation to produce
an image of the internal organs. They are used in many different
ways in medical diagnosis, including chest x-rays, skeletal
x-rays, and spine x-rays.
How does it work?
A digital x-ray image is produced when a small amount of radiation
passes through the body and strikes a digital plate placed
on the other side of the body. The ability of x-rays to penetrate
tissues and bones varies according to the tissue's composition
and mass. Bone, which contains calcium, does not let much radiation
through and results in white areas on the x-ray image. The
lungs, which are filled with air, allow nearly all x-rays to
strike the film resulting in dark areas. The images are then
digitally stored on a computer. After a few months or years,
the images may be used to compare with later radiographic views
if illness develops.
  
Benefits vs. Risks of Routine X-Ray?
Benefits
- X-ray imaging is useful
to diagnose bone injury and disease, such as fractures,
bone infections, arthritis, and cancer.
- Because x-ray imaging is so fast and easy, it is particularly
useful in emergency diagnosis and treatment.
- Image North’s state-of-the-art digital
x-ray equipment provides accurate and fast turnaround times;
giving your doctor the information they require usually the
same day.
Risks
Special care is taken during x-ray examinations to ensure maximum
safety for the patient by shielding the abdomen and pelvis
with a lead apron, with the exception of those examinations
where the abdomen and pelvis are being imaged. Women should
always inform their doctor or x-ray technologist if there is
any possibility they are pregnant.
During the average x-ray procedure, a patient is exposed to
approximately 20 milliroentgens of radiation. This compares with
the 100 milliroentgens of radiation we are all exposed to each
year from sources like the ultraviolet rays of the sun and the
traces of uranium found in the soil.
Common Uses Of This Procedure
Probably the most common use of x-ray is for bone radiographs.
Bone radiographs assist the physician in identifying and treating
fractures. X-ray images of the skull, spine, joints, and extremities
are performed every minute of every day in radiology offices, hospital emergency
rooms, sports medicine centers, orthopedic clinics, and physician
offices. Images of an injury can show even very fine hairline
fractures or chips, while images produced after treatment ensure
that a fracture has been properly aligned and stabilized for
healing. Bone x-rays are an essential tool in orthopedic surgery,
such as spinal repair, joint replacements, or fracture reductions.
X-ray images can be used to diagnose and monitor the progression
of degenerative diseases such as arthritis. They also play an
important role in the detection and diagnosis of cancer, although
usually computed tomography (CT) or MRI is better at defining the
extent and the nature of a suspected cancer. On regular x-rays
severe osteoporosis is visible, but bone density determination
detects early loss of bone density. Bone density determination
is usually done on special equipment.
Patient Comfort
You will not feel any discomfort during the procedure.
Preparation Required
General x-rays require no preparation
After The Test
The patient may leave immediately following the exam because
the X-rays have no side effects.
Getting Your Results
Image North has radiologists on site to promptly provide analysis
and reporting. In most cases, the results of the test will be
available to the referring doctor before the patient leaves
the facility. The radiologist at Image North may discuss the
results with the patient, or privately and securely send the
results to the referring physician.
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