Chest Radiography
The chest x-ray is the most common medical imaging examination. During this procedure, an image of your heart and lungs is produced when a small amount of radiation passes through your body and is recorded on special film or a computer. A chest radiograph often is performed as part of a routine physical examination, and it also may be performed to reveal or rule out conditions such as pneumonia, congestive heart failure, tuberculosis or other lung and heart conditions.
Patient Preparation
Wear a comfortable, 2-piece outfit on the day of your chest radiograph. Schedule at least 20 to 30 minutes for the exam, which includes time for preparation, processing the radiographic images and obtaining additional images, if necessary. The actual exposure time is very short.
Before your examination, a radiographer will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you might have. A radiographer, also known as a radiologic technologist, is a skilled medical professional who has received specialized education in anatomy, radiation protection and patient care. As part of his or her duties, the radiographer will determine the amount of radiation necessary to produce a diagnostically useful image.
Prior to performing your examination, the radiographer may give you a hospital gown to wear. This gown has no metal snaps on it, because metal can interfere with the accuracy of the image. It is important that you remove everything from the waist up, including bras, undershirts, necklaces and other jewelry. If you have long hair and it is in a low ponytail, the elastic band or barrette may have to be removed as well.
If you are a woman of childbearing age, the radiographer will ask if there’s any possibility you are pregnant. It is important that you tell the radiographer the date of your last menstrual period and if there is a chance that you are pregnant.
During the Examination
Inside the examination room, the radiographer will either hang a lead shield behind you at waist level or give you a rubberized apron to tie around your waist. The thick rubber will protect your reproductive organs from direct x-rays.
The radiographer will ask you to stand in front of an x-ray unit positioned at chest level. You will be asked to place your hands on your hips, roll your shoulders forward and lift your chin. The radiographer then will ask you to take a deep breath, exhale, and then take another deep breath and hold it. It’s important to hold your breath because any movement of your lungs will blur the x-ray image. The radiographer will make the x-ray exposure and let you know when you can exhale.
Another radiograph will be taken of the side view of your chest. Usually, you will be asked to turn to the side, then raise your arms over your head and hold them in an upright position. Raise your chin again and hold your breath while the exposure is made. The radiographer will let you know if more images are necessary.
If you are unable to lift your arms over your head, lift your chin or comply with any other instructions, be sure to tell the radiographer. His or her job is to give you the best care possible.
The radiographer then will determine if your radiographs are technically acceptable. If they are not, you may be asked to repeat the examination.
The radiographs of your chest then will be given to a radiologist — a physician trained to evaluate medical images.
Postexamination Information
After your radiographs have been reviewed by a radiologist, your personal physician will receive a report and advise you of the results. The radiation that your are exposed to during this examination, like the radiation produced during any other x-ray procedure, passes through you immediately
Abdomen Radiography
An x-ray examination of the abdomen produces radiographic images of the kidney, urinary bladder, gas patterns of the bowel and the lower outline of the liver. This examination is ordered when patients have experienced an injury to the abdominal area or are experiencing abdominal pain.
Patient Preparation
Before your examination, a radiographer will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you might have. A radiographer, also known as a radiologic technologist, is a skilled medical professional who has received specialized education in the areas of radiation protection, patient care, radiation exposure, radiographic positioning and radiographic procedures. As part of his or her duties, the radiographer will determine the amount of radiation necessary to produce a diagnostically useful image.
The radiographer will ask you to put on a hospital gown and to remove any jewelry underneath it. This gown has no metal snaps on it, because metal can interfere with the accuracy of the image.
If you are a woman of childbearing age, the radiographer will ask if there is any possibility you are pregnant. It is important that you tell the radiographer the date of your last menstrual period and whether there is a chance that you may be pregnant.
During the Examination
You probably will be asked to lie down on the x-ray table, although in some cases the radiograph will be taken while you are standing. To ensure that you are properly positioned on the table, the radiographer will look for anatomical landmarks. He or she will touch the sides of your abdomen and your pelvic bones to position you correctly. You will be asked to hold your breath while the exposure is made. It is important not to move during the exposure, because any movement will blur the image.
A lead-equivalent rubberized shield might be used to cover your reproductive organs, unless its use would interfere with the examination. Sometimes the area that needs to be examined would be hidden if a shield were used.
Once the examination is complete, the radiographer will determine whether the images are technically acceptable and assess whether additional images are needed. The images then will be given to a radiologist, a physician who specializes in the diagnostic interpretation of medical images.
Postexamination Information
After your radiographs have been reviewed by a radiologist, your personal physician will receive a report of the findings. Your physician then will advise you of the results and discuss what further procedures, if any, are needed.
The radiation that you are exposed to during this examination, like the radiation produced during any other x-ray procedure, passes through you immediately.
Spine Radiography
An x-ray examination of the spine may focus on the bones in the neck, upper back, lower back or tailbone, or a combination of these areas. Spine x-rays usually are requested because a patient has suffered a back injury or is experiencing back pain. The radiographs can reveal injuries, fractures and evidence of arthritis.
Patient Preparation
Before your examination, a radiographer will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you might have. A radiographer, also known as a radiologic technologist, is a skilled medical professional who has received specialized education in the areas of radiation protection, patient care, radiation exposure, radiographic positioning and radiographic procedures. As part of his or her duties, the radiographer will determine the amount of radiation necessary to produce a diagnostically useful image.
The radiographer will ask you to put on a hospital gown. If the examination is of your neck or upper back, you also will have to remove any earrings, barrettes or hairpins. Metal can interfere with the interpretation of the x-ray image.
If you are a woman of childbearing age, the radiographer will ask if there is any possibility you are pregnant. It is important that you tell the radiographer the date of your last menstrual period and whether there is a chance that you may be pregnant.
During the Examination
X-ray examination of the spine usually takes less than 30 minutes. Radiographs of the neck may be taken while the patient is standing, sitting or lying down. In some cases, the patient is asked to hold a sandbag or some other type of weight that pulls the shoulders down so the lower vertebrae can be better visualized. The radiographer may ask you to move your arms in various positions so that different radiographic views can be obtained.
Radiographs of the upper back and lower back usually are taken with the patient lying down on the x-ray table, although they sometimes are taken with the patient standing. Sponges may be placed around you to keep you in position. It is important not to move during the exposure, because any movement will blur the image. The radiographer will ask you to turn in various positions so that different radiographic views can be obtained. If you are not able to move your body into a requested position, let the radiographer know. His or her job is to give you the best care possible while making you comfortable.
A lead-equivalent rubberized shield might be used to cover your reproductive organs, unless its use would interfere with the examination. Sometimes the area that needs to be examined would be hidden if a shield were used.
Once the examination is complete, the radiographer will determine whether the images are technically acceptable. The images then will be given to a radiologist, a physician who specializes in the diagnostic interpretation of medical images.
Postexamination Information
After your radiographs have been reviewed by a radiologist, your personal physician will receive a report of the findings. Your physician then will advise you of the results and discuss what further procedures, if any, are needed. The radiation that you are exposed to during this examination, like the radiation produced during any other x-ray procedure, passes through you immediately. If you have questions about the radiation associated with your exam, contact your physician.