The right imaging can lead to the right diagnosis, which is an essential part of effective treatment. Johns Hopkins Medicine offers a wide variety of imaging exams , including breast imaging , bone density DEXA scans, positron emission tomography PET scans, ultrasounds and wellness screenings.
Health Home Treatments, Tests and Therapies. These imaging technologies differ widely when it comes to: Accessibility Resolution level of detail in the images Type of energy used What injuries require an X-ray? What injuries require an MRI? White Marsh Schedule an exam. Talk to your doctor about types of imaging You can play a more active role in your care by knowing the differences between a CT scan, MRI and X-ray.
Often, your doctor will have consulted with a radiologist about what test you need. The muscle which makes up the heart is also quite dense and stops X-rays passing through.
A film, similar to a photographic film, is placed behind the part of the body being X-rayed. The X-ray machine fires a short burst of X-rays through part of your body. The X-rays hit the film, which is then developed. The more X-rays that hit the film, the blacker it develops. So, dense parts of the body that block many of the X-rays show up as white such as bones.
Hollow or air-filled parts of the body show up as black such as parts of the lung. Soft tissues such as muscle and body organs show up as various shades of grey, depending on how dense they are. The developed film is studied by an X-ray doctor radiologist who sends a report to the doctor who requested the test. An ordinary X-ray test is painless. You cannot see or feel X-rays. You should stay still when the X-ray beam is 'fired', as otherwise the picture may be blurred. An ordinary X-ray is a quick, easy and relatively cheap test.
The X-ray will last for a fraction of a second. You won't feel anything while it's carried out. While the X-ray is being taken, you'll need to keep still so the image produced isn't blurred. More than one X-ray may be taken from different angles to provide as much information as possible.
In some cases, a substance called a contrast agent may be given before an X-ray is carried out. This can help show soft tissues more clearly on the X-ray. These types of X-rays may need special preparation beforehand and will usually take longer to carry out.
Your appointment letter will mention anything you need to do to prepare. You won't experience any after effects from a standard X-ray and will be able to go home shortly afterwards. You can return to your normal activities straight away. You may have some temporary side effects from the contrast agent if one was used during your X-ray. For example, barium can turn your poo a whitish colour for a few days and an injection given to relax your stomach before the X-ray may cause your eyesight to be blurry for a few hours.
Some people develop a rash or feel sick after having an iodine injection. The X-ray images will often need to be examined by a doctor called a radiologist before you're told the results.
Though the risk of most diagnostic X-rays to an unborn baby is small, your doctor may consider another imaging test, such as ultrasound. This X-ray using contrast reveals a kidney stone at the junction of the kidney and the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder ureter. The X-ray tube is focused on the abdomen. X-rays will pass through the body and produce an image on the specialized plate below.
Different types of X-rays require different preparations. Ask your doctor or nurse to provide you with specific instructions. 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 may also be asked to remove jewelry, eyeglasses and any metal objects because they can show up on an X-ray. Before 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. X-rays are performed at doctors' 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 your body and records an image on a specialized plate. You can't feel an X-ray. A technologist positions your body to obtain the necessary views. He or she may use pillows or sandbags 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. If a young child is having an X-ray, restraints or other techniques may be used to keep him or her still.
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