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What are x-rays?
Do I need to prepare for my x-ray?
What can I expect during my x-ray examination?
Are x-rays safe?
What are the limitations of x-rays?
Where can I have my x-ray?
X-rays (also called radiographs) are produced by
passing a small amount of controlled radiation through the body. Radiation
from x-rays are absorbed differently by the tissues of the body. When the
x-rays pass through the body, these differences are captured on a special
film plate that is placed behind the patient. For example, bone absorbs
more radiation than soft tissue, making it appear bright white on film.
Radiologists use x-ray films to detect and help diagnose certain
conditions such as broken bones, pneumonia, and emphysema.
Do I need to
prepare for my x-ray?
No preparation is required unless you are having a
special x-ray examination such as an intravenous pyelogram (IVP) or a
myelogram.
What can I expect during my x-ray examination?
Before your x-ray, you may be asked to change into an
examination gown and to remove any metal from your body (eg, eyeglasses,
jewelry, watch). Next, you will be taken into the x-ray suite and
positioned on an examination table or between a metal box and an apparatus
that contains the x-ray tubes.
Once you are in position, the technologist will leave
the room and may ask you to hold your breath if x-rays are taken of the
chest. Holding your breath is very important because motion of the lungs
during regular breathing can blur the images. Next, the technologist will
come back into the room to put new film in the machine and you will most
likely be asked to change position to allow imaging from different
viewpoints.
After the x-rays have been taken, they will be
developed and briefly reviewed by the radiologist to make sure that more
images are not needed. You will then be asked to change back into your
clothes.
After the radiologist has studied your x-ray films in
more detail, a report will be sent to your referring physician, who will
discuss these results with you and determine a course of action.
Because x-ray studies involve radiation, special care
will be taken to shield your body from scatter radiation with a lead
apron. Today’s x-ray machines and film only need minimal amounts of
radiation to produce a clear, detailed image. Because the radiation is
highly controlled and targeted, damage to the cells of the body is very
unlikely. The dose of radiation from a standard x-ray is the same amount
of radiation that the average person receives from 10 days of naturally
occurring background radiation.
What are the limitations of x-rays?
Standard x-rays do not always detect disease,
especially those of the lungs. Sometimes tumors have to grow very large
before they are seen on x-ray. Instead of using regular x-rays to image
the chest, some physicians request computed tomography (CT) scans. CT
scans show detailed views of “slices” of the body, not just images
from the front, back, and sides, as with standard x-rays. Click
here to learn more about CT.
X-ray studies are performed at the following
Diagnostic Imaging Associates locations:
What is an
intravenous pyelogram?
Is there any
preparation for an IVP?
What can I
expect during my IVP study?
Is this
procedure safe?
Where can I
have my IVP study?
What is an intravenous pyelogram?
An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is an examination of
the kidneys, ureter, and bladder using x-rays and a contrast medium to
enhance the images. An IVP is used to detect tumors, kidney or bladder
stones, blockages in normal urine flow, enlargement of the prostate, and
injuries to the urinary tract.
Is there any preparation for an IVP?
Before your scheduled appointment, you will be asked
to pick up a 48-hour prep kit from the office where you will be having
your IVP study. This kit will give you detailed instructions on how to
prepare for your study, which includes taking a laxative and following a
clear diet. You will also be asked not to eat or drink after
What can I expect during my IVP study?
Before your IVP study, you will be asked to change
into an examination gown and to remove any jewelry or other metal objects
that might interfere with the x-ray images. After changing, you will be
brought into one of our x-ray suites. One of our radiologic technologists
will position you on the examination table. Suspended above the table will
be a large metal apparatus that houses the x-ray tube.
At this time, a preliminary x-ray will be taken.
Next, the radiologist will inject the contrast material into a vein in
your arm. The contrast material makes sure that the urinary tract shows up
clearly on the x-ray images. It is normal to feel flushed, have a metallic
taste in your mouth, or feel mild itching after the contrast has been
injected. In rare cases, some patients become short of breath or feel
swelling in the throat. In these cases, the technologist should be alerted
immediately because these may be signs of an allergic reaction.
After the contrast material has been injected,
several images will be taken to track the contrast as it moves through the
kidneys and urinary tract. You may be asked to switch to different
positions throughout the study so that the radiologist can see what is
happening from a variety of angles. A final x-ray may be taken after you
have voided your bladder to see how much of the contrast is left in the
urinary tract. By studying how the contrast moves through the urinary
system, the radiologist is able to detect abnormalities and the efficiency
with which the body handles waste. It will take approximately an hour to
perform your IVP study.
Following your IVP study, the radiologist will
analyze the images in detail. The findings from the study will be sent to
your referring physician who will review the results with you.
Because x-rays are used to obtain the IVPs, radiation
exposure is a risk. However, with today’s machines, the procedures are
fast and the x-rays are targeted to the area of interest in a small beam,
preventing scatter radiation to other parts of the body. The amount of
radiation received from an IVP study is the same amount of radiation that
the average person receives in approximately 6 months from naturally
occurring background radiation.
Where can I have my IVP study?
IVP studies are performed at the following Diagnostic
Imaging Associates locations:
What is a myelogram?
Is there any preparation
for a myelogram?
What can I expect during
my myelogram?
Where can I have my
myelogram?
A myelogram is an
examination that uses x-rays to detect abnormalities in the spine, spinal
cord, and surrounding structures.
Is there any preparation
for a myelogram?
Before your myelogram,
someone from our staff will call you to go over the preparation
requirements in detail. Be sure to tell your referring physician as well
as our staff about any medical or nonmedical allergies and any
prescriptions you are taking. Preparation usually involves fasting 6 hours
before the procedure, with clear liquids allowed until 3 hours before the
procedure. Typically, you will be able to take your daily medications,
including pain relievers, on the day of the myelogram. Antidepressants
containing MAO inhibitors must be stopped the day before the procedure.
Because
you will not be able to drive yourself home after the myelogram, please
make arrangements to have someone who is reliable drive you home.
What
can I expect during my myelogram?
Before you are taken back
to the x-ray suite, you will be asked to change into an examination gown.
Then a radiologic technologist will escort you to the examination room
where you will be asked to lie on your side or stomach on the x-ray table.
A small area of your back will be cleaned and then the radiologist will
inject a local anesthetic to numb the area. Next, a needle containing
contrast will be inserted into the spine. Contrast is a special dye that
helps highlight the structures of the spine to make them show up on the
x-rays. Dizziness or nausea from the contrast is rare, but alert the
technologist if you experience these symptoms.
After the contrast has
been injected, x-rays will be taken. The examination table may tilt so
that images can be taken of the spine in different positions. After the
necessary x-rays have been taken, you will be escorted to another
examination room for a computed tomography (CT) scan, which will take
approximately 10 minutes. The entire myelogram procedure will take about
an hour.
Before being discharged,
the technologist will give you an instruction sheet that tells you what to
do at home. If you have no pain or serious discomfort, you will be allowed
to leave our facility, provided that you have someone to drive you home.
While in the car, it is best to lie down in the back seat until you arrive
at home. At home, you should remain on your back for 24 hours. This will
prevent headaches and take pressure off the injection site. You should
drink plenty of fluids and refrain from drinking and smoking for 24 hours.
If you have a headache, you may take Tylenol as instructed on the label.
If headaches or nausea last for more than 24 hours, contact your referring
physician.
The results of your
myelogram will be interpreted by the radiologist and a report will be sent
to your referring physician. Your physician will review the results of the
study with you and determine the next course of action.
Where can I have my
myelogram?
Diagnostic Imaging Associates performs myelograms at our Omega, and Glasgow locations. To schedule an appointment, please call the office nearest you.