This post is a conglomeration of the FAQs on xray I get as a radiographer and radiology administrator.
Having a license in radiography since 2005, I am happy to share my knowledge. As always, consult a physician if you have any medical concerns.
FAQs on Xray
Q: Is X-ray considered radiology?
Radiology means the study of imaging by means of radiation. Technically, that would only apply to general radiography (Xray), computed tomography (CT), interventional radiography (IR), and nuclear medicine (NM).
It also includes mammography (M), bone density (DEXA), and positron emission technology (PET.)
But most other diagnostic imaging modalities include in a radiology department like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound (US), which don’t use radiation in the image acquisition process.
Q: What is Xray imaging?
X-rays are a kind of radiation electromagnetic waves. X-ray imaging produces photos of the structures within your body.
Calcium in bones takes in x-rays the most, so bones look white. Fat and various other soft tissues take in much less and look gray.
Q: What can an Xray tell you?
X-rays use to investigate many parts of the body. They examine bones, joints, and soft tissue.
Xray images can help diagnose bone fractures, pooling of liquids, air anomalies and other irregular pathologies.
Q: How do they Xray babies?
An X-ray Technologist obtains the X-rays. Generally, it require two different views for every exam.
An instrument called Pigg O Stat can hold the baby in place during the exam.
Q: Will an Xray show inflammation?
Yes, radiographs can help diagnose inflammation. Soft tissue shows up on an X-ray and can diagnose as normal or abnormal.
Q: Can an Xray detect cancer?
Bone cancers can turn up on x-rays. The Radiologist (a physician that specializes in reviewing x-rays) can attempt to diagnose if pathology is malignant by the method it shows up on the x-ray, but only a biopsy can inform for sure.
Q: Can an Xray show cancer?
Some kinds of cancer, specifically lung cancer cells, are a lot more common in people who smoke cigarettes.
Sometimes, if the cancer recognizes extremely early, it might not appear on ordinary X-rays.
The look of growth on the X-ray can aid in determining the kind of cancer and also whether or not it is benign or deadly.
Q: Can an Xray show pregnancy?
During pregnancy is not an optimal time to get an Xray in the area of the baby. It can deem medically necessary by the ordering physician.
There are still no studies that have shown a direct correlation between a fetus receiving radiation from an Xray and a defect at birth caused by the radiation.
However, there are other methods to examine the abdominal area when concerned. Ultrasounds are a good example.
Q: How do babies get Xrays?
See our article on the Pigg O Stat.
Q: What does a chest Xray reveal?
Literally, thousands of different things can see on a chest Xray. Upper body X-rays can reveal cancer, infection or air accumulating in the area around a lung (pneumothorax).
They can likewise show chronic lung problems, such as emphysema or cystic fibrosis, in addition to issues associated with these problems.
Q: Can an Xray show pinched nerves?
An X-ray can provide information about the bones in the back and neck, but not necessarily the nerves.
A properly obtained X-ray can tell a Radiologist just how much constriction has happened between the vertebrae.
An MRI is commonly used for diagnosing a pinched nerve.
Q: Can an Xray show tendonitis?
X-rays are rarely helpful in the medical diagnosis of tendonitis because they don’t clearly display ligaments; nevertheless, your provider may request one to dismiss various other problems that can trigger your symptoms.
An MRI can reveal swelling or ligament tears. Sometimes we can use ultrasounds as well. MSK, or musculoskeletal ultrasound, uses to see tendons.
Q: Can an Xray show back problems?
Absolutely.
X-rays of the spine are routinely used to detect the root cause of back or neck pain via fractured bones, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis (the misplacement or sliding of one vertebrae over the one below it), deterioration of the disks, tumors, abnormalities in the curvature of the spinal column like kyphosis and other pathologies.
Q: Can an Xray show a mass?
Yes, it can show anomalies such as masses. An X-ray is a quick, painless test that produces pictures of the structures inside your body– especially your bones.
Dense materials, like bone and metal, appear white on X-rays.
The air in your lungs appears black. Fat and muscle mass look like shades of grey.
Q: What does cancer look like on Xray?
A chest X-ray of a patient with lung cancer cells might reveal a noticeable mass or blemish.
This mass could be a noticeable area on your lungs, while the lung itself will show up black.
However, an X-ray may not have the ability to identify small or early-stage cancers.
There are many other modalities that can show cancer. MRI, CT, Mammo, Nuclear Medicine and PET scans show cancer in much more detail than a traditional Xray.
Q: Can an Xray miss lung cancer?
Absolutely. Key points. Early state cancer may not be detected. There could also be other factors inhibiting the ability to see the pathology on the Xray.
CT scans can provide much greater detail on images but are still not 100% in diagnosing cancer. Sometimes blood tests can be used for precursors.
Q: Can an Xray show arthritis?
Methods used to detect and diagnose arthritis include: signs and symptoms, the physician’s physical exam test, blood tests, and X-rays.
Xrays are commonly used to confirm rheumatoid arthritis. See our article on Living with Osteoarthritis.
Q: Can an Xray show bowel cancer?
It can help the radiologist identify abnormal pathology. For small bowel cancer, x-rays might be taken of the whole gastrointestinal system, consisting of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, and also rectum.
Abdominal x-rays are commonly used to evaluate the bowel for free air, free fluid, and other pathologies.
Conclusion
This concludes this edition of Common Xray FAQs. There are plenty more to follow on a future post.
Thanks for stopping by.
