Diagnostic Imaging
Nuclear Medicine
Angiography
Computed Tomography
Mammography
MRI
Ultrasound
Frequently Asked Questions

X-Ray

X-ray examinations are the most common studies performed by diagnostic imaging departments. X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation that can pass through most tissues of the body to some degree. This allows them to be used to produce images of body parts.

View other X-Ray procedures using contrast material.

Regardless of the body part being examined, x-ray studies are performed in a similar manner:

An x-ray tube produces x-rays when a stream of electrons are directed at a special metal target in the tube. The x-rays are directed out of the tube to the body part being examined The x-rays pass through the body part to varying degrees depending upon the density of the tissues. The x-rays that have passed through the body part are received by a "detector" to produce an x-ray image. Most commonly, the "detector" is a sheet of x-ray film (exposed by phosphorescent screens) but digital techniques are evolving that will produce a digital x-ray image from the detected x-rays. Digital x-ray detectors do not use film and in fact may replace the use of x-ray film at some time in the future.

The discovery of x-rays revolutionized the diagnosis of disease. Prior to x-ray there was no way to visualize diseased body parts short of resorting to surgery. Modern x-ray equipment produces high quality images using a minimum of radiation dose. Like any other imaging technique, x-ray has it's limitations and is not appropriate for all situations.

Common types of x ray studies include:

• Chest x-rays.
• Abdominal x-rays.
• Skeletal, joint x-rays 

X-Ray equipment:

General X-Ray room	X-Ray Control panel

X-ray studies are used to look for pneumonia, tumors, arthritis, fractures etc. depending upon the body part being examined. Specialized x-ray studies include mammography, barium studies, intravenous pyelography, myelography etc.

Sample Images:

Chest X-Ray	Spine X-Ray