X-ray

X-ray or radiography uses a very small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the body's internal structures. X-rays are the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging. 

What are some common uses for X-ray?

• X-rays are often used to help diagnose fractured bones
• X-rays are useful in looking for injury or infection and to locate foreign objects in soft tissue
• Some x-ray exams may use an iodine-based contrast material or barium to help improve the visibility of specific organs, blood vessels, tissues or bone.

An x-ray exam can range between five and 20 minutes, depending on body part being imaged. Patients will be positioned on a table by our registered tecnologist. A a film holder is placed under the table in the area of the body to be imaged. Pillows may be used to help the proper position. Then the technologist will move into a control room, behind a radiation barrier and request the patient to hold very still, without breathing for a few seconds.

The x-ray equipment is then activated, sending a beam of x-rays through the body to expose the film. The technologist will reppostion as necesary to obtain various views. X-ray imaging is completely painless. There can be some discomfort resulting from lying on the table or being positioned to obtain optimal imaging.  Any movement has the tendency to blur the image and could make it necessary to repeat the procedure.