X-RAY

What is an X-ray?
• An x-ray is produced when energy is
given off following an interaction
between high-speed electrons and atoms
of the receiving target anode.
• X-rays are only produced at the time of
exposure and are not constantly
occurring in the environments.
 How Do I Prepare for an X-ray?
• Plain x-rays of the chest, abdomen, arms,
legs, and spine require no preparation
and generally take only a few minutes to
complete. However, street clothes and
jewerly must be removed from the area
of interest as they can interfere and
cover the anatomy.
X-ray Health Risks
 X-ray hazards

• An x-ray is high energy electromagnetic

radiation that passes through the body. Metal,
bone and dense material block some radiation
and that shows up as shadows on the x-ray film
or digital sensor. Once it pass through your, it is
gone. None stays in your body.
• Can damage some cells
• Genetic damage to a reproductive cell
 Pregnant women and unborn children
Pregnant women and unborn children

• Since their cells are growing rapidly,

unborn children are most sensitive to
radiation. Because of this, U.S. Federal
standards state that the dose of radiation
to an unborn child throughout the entire
pregnancy cannot exceed 0.5 rem or 500
millirems over 9 months.
 Cancer risk
• The risk of getting cancer from x-rays is very
small. Government studies state that
receiving 5000 millirem (50 mSv) of
radiation in a year will increase the rate of
cancer deaths by 0.3%, which is
insignificant. That means that if you got 300
medical x-rays in a year, it would increase
your chances of getting cancer by only 1%.
 Background radiation
• No one is sure how much radiation can cause cancer,
but it is assumed that the risk is proportional to the
absorbed radiation dose.
• Low doses might possibly cause cancers 5 to 30 years
or longer after exposure. But also, it is important to
remember that you are exposed to radiation every day
from a variety of sources in the natural environment.
Exposure to background radiation, from sources such
as radon gas, cosmic rays from outer space, rocks and
soil, results in the body absorbing about 5 millirems
each week. Thus, in 10 weeks you get about the same
dosage from natural radiation as you would from one
medical x-ray or three dental x-rays.
 Types of X–Ray Exam

• Angiography
 Also known as coronary angiography,
this test is traditionally used to examine
blood vessels in the heart to identify
obstructions. A contrast material is
injected into a blood vessel to improve
the doctor's visibility.
Arthrography: 

This exam focuses on joints and involves the injection

of a contrast agent into the joint.

Discography

This test focuses on the intervertebral discs in

the spinal column and uses a contrast agent
injected into the affected disc.
• Barium x-rays
These tests use barium as a contrast agent.
They include:
1.)Upper Gastrointestinal (GI)
 tests examine the esophagus, stomach and
duodenum (top of the small intestine) using
barium to coat the walls of the upper digestive
tract.
 Barium swallows are used to identify any
abnormalities such as tumors, ulcers, hernias,
pouches, strictures, and swallowing difficulties.
2.)Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) 
tests, also known as a barium enemas,
involve giving the patient an enema to coat
the intestines with a solution containing
barium.
 Barium enemas are used to diagnose
disorders of the large intestine, colon and
rectum.
Cystogram:
A cystogram is an examination of the
urinary bladder.
• Bone Density Scan
 Also called dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry
(DXA or DEXA) or bone densitometry, a bone
density scan measures how many grams of
calcium and other bone minerals are packed
into a segment of bone to determine if the
patient has osteoporosis. DXA is most often
performed on the lower spine and hips.
• Bone X-Ray
 A bone x-ray examines any bone in the body,
including the foot, ankle, knee, leg, arm, hand,
wrist or spine.
• Computed/Computerized Axial Tomography
(CT or CAT Scans)
 This exam uses multiple x–ray images taken
from different angles to create three–
dimensional images that provide greater
detail.
The CT scanner is typically a large machine
through which the patient's entire body is
passed through as it takes pictures.
Chest X-Ray:
As the name implies, a chest x-ray
creates images of the chest area,
including the heart and lungs.

Discography
 This test focuses on the
intervertebral discs in the spinal
column and uses a contrast agent
injected into the affected disc.
• Discography
 This test focuses on the intervertebral discs in
the spinal column and uses a contrast agent
injected into the affected disc.
• Fluoroscopy
 A fluoroscopy produces moving x-ray images
of internal body parts. Fluoroscopy can be
used to study the movement of a body part or
to track the movement of a contrast agent or
an instrument -- like a syringe -- inside the
body.
• Intravenous Pyelography (IVP)
This test is used to study the kidneys, urinary
tract, ureters and bladder.
A contrast material is injected into the
patient's vein and collects in the kidneys and
urinary tract.

• Mammography
Mammograms are x-rays that focus on the
breasts, typically to screen for breast cancer.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
 unlike x-ray imaging, does not use
radiation. Instead, MRI works based on
magnetic waves and the spin of protons.
Data is processed by a computer to
form the images that clinicians use.

Myelography
This text examines the spinal column
for conditions like tumors, swelling and
herniated discs. 
 

• Ultrasound Imaging
 ultrasound waves have a frequency just
beyond that of audible sound. Similar to sonar
used by submarines, these waves are emitted
and bounce back once they strike an object.
 As a clinical tool, ultrasound imaging
(ultrasonography) can detect differences
between solid and liquid material in the body.
Virtual Colonoscopy (VC):
This exam produces images of the
colon (large intestine) to diagnose colon
and bowel disease.

Skull Radiography
This x-ray exam produces images of
the skull to study sinuses and bones in
the face and jaw.
 THANK YOU 

Catalan, Jason
Bagsain, May An
Escote, Cherry Mae
Somcio, Dawn Gayle