X-ray, or radiography, is the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging. X-ray technology is painless and may be used to evaluate the abdomen, bladder, bone, breasts, chest, GI tract, kidneys, spine, uterus and fallopian tubes, among other systems. It’s used to help diagnose fractured bones, look for injury or infection, and locate foreign objects in soft tissue.
Before the Procedure
X-rays require no special preparation. You may be asked to remove some or all of your clothes and to wear a gown during the exam. Women should inform their radiologist if they have an intrauterine device (IUD) inserted or if there is any possibility they may be pregnant.
During the Procedure
The technologist will position you on the X-ray table. You may be asked to wear a lead shield to help protect certain parts of your body. You must hold very still and may be asked to keep from breathing for a few seconds while the X-ray picture is taken to reduce the possibility of a blurred image. The entire exam, from positioning to obtaining and verifying the images, is usually completed within 15 minutes.
After the Procedure
When the exam is complete, you will be asked to wait until the technologist verifies that the images are of high enough quality for accurate interpretation. After the images have been interpreted, your radiologist or referring physician will discuss the findings with you. Depending on the results of the X-ray, additional tests or procedures may be scheduled to gather further diagnostic information.