X-Ray

What is an X-ray?

An X-ray is a type of medical imaging that uses radiation to take pictures of the inside of your body. We often think of an X-ray as something that checks for broken bones. But X-ray images can help providers diagnose other injuries and diseases, too.

Many people think of X-rays as black-and-white, two-dimensional images. But modern X-ray technology is often combined with other technologies to make more advanced types of images.

Types of X-rays

Some specific imaging tests that use X-rays are:

• Bone density (DXA) scan: This test captures X-ray images while also checking the strength and mineral content of your bones.
• CT scan (computed tomography): CT scans use X-ray and computers to create 3D images of the inside of your body.
• Dental X-ray: A dental provider takes X-rays of your mouth to look for cavities or issues with your gums.
• Fluoroscopy: This test uses a series of X-rays to show the inside of your body in real time. Providers use it to help diagnose issues with specific body parts. They also use it to help guide certain procedures, like an angiogram.
• Mammogram: This is a special X-ray of your breasts that shows irregularities that could lead to breast cancer.

X-rays can help healthcare providers diagnose various conditions in your body. Some of the most common areas on your body to get an X-ray are:

• Abdominal X-ray: This X-ray helps providers evaluate parts of your digestive system and diagnose conditions like kidney stones and bladder stones.
• Bone X-ray: You might get a bone X-ray if your provider suspects you have a broken bone, dislocated joint or arthritis. Images from bone X-rays can also show signs of bone cancer or infection.
• Chest X-ray: Your provider might order a chest X-ray if you have symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath or a cough. It can look for signs of infection in your lungs or congestive heart failure.
• Head X-ray: These can help providers see skull fractures from head injuries or conditions that affect how the bones in your skull form, like craniosynostosis.
• Spine X-ray: A provider can use a spine X-ray to look for arthritis and scoliosis.

How do X-rays work?

X-rays work by sending beams of radiation through your body to create images on an X-ray detector nearby. Radiation beams are invisible, and you can’t feel them.

As the beams go through your body, bones, soft tissues and other structures absorb radiation in different ways:

• Solid or dense tissues (like bones and tumors) absorb radiation easily, so they appear bright white on the image.
• Soft tissues (like organs, muscle and fat) don’t absorb radiation as easily, so they appear in shades of gray on the X-ray.

A radiologist interprets the image and writes a report for the physician who ordered the X-ray. They make note of anything that’s abnormal or concerning. Then, your healthcare provider shares the results with you.

How do I prepare?

Preparation for an X-ray depends on the type of X-ray you’re getting. Your provider may ask you to:

• Remove metal objects like jewelry, hairpins or hearing aids (metal can interfere with X-rays and make the results inaccurate)
• Wear comfortable clothing or change into a gown before the X-ray

Tell your healthcare provider about your health history, allergies and any medications you’re taking. Let them know if you’re pregnant or think you could be.

What can I expect during an X-ray?

The exact steps of an X-ray depend on the kind you’re getting. In general, your provider will follow these steps during an X-ray:

1. They’ll ask you to sit, stand or lie down on a table. In the past, your provider may have covered you with a lead shield (apron), but new evidence suggests that they aren’t necessary.
2. Your provider will position the camera near the body part that they’re getting a picture of.
3. Then, they’ll move your body or limbs in different positions and ask you to hold still. They may also ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds so the images aren’t blurry.

Sometimes, children can’t stay still long enough to produce clear images. Your child’s provider may recommend using a restraint during an X-ray. The restraint helps your child stay still and reduces the need for retakes. The restraints don’t hurt and won’t harm your child.

What happens after?

Most of the time, there aren’t any restrictions on what you can do after an X-ray. You can go back to your typical activities.

What are the risks or side effects of X-rays?

X-rays are safe and low risk.

X-rays use a safe and small amount of radiation — not much more than the naturally occurring radiation you get in your daily life. For instance, a dental X-ray exposes you to about the same amount of background radiation you’d get in one day.

X-ray radiation is usually safe for adults. But it can be harmful to a fetus. If you’re pregnant, your provider may choose another imaging test, like ultrasound.

What type of results do you get from an X-ray?

A radiologist will review your X-ray and take notes of what they see and what they recommend. Your healthcare provider will receive both the images and the radiologist’s notes. They’ll review the images, too, and let you know if they see anything concerning.

How long does it take to get results?

It depends on when the radiologist can look at them. You typically get X-ray results back much more quickly if you’re in an emergency. Results from a bone X-ray are often ready right away, but it could take several minutes or hours for a radiologist to read and record the results. Results from more complex X-rays may take longer.

Your provider might share your results with you after the X-ray, or you might see them show up in your electronic health records. Talk to your provider about when you can expect your results.

If the results are abnormal, what are the next steps?

It depends on what the findings are and if it’s harmful. Your provider will let you know if you need more imaging or testing to take a better look at something. They could also refer you to a provider who specializes in a certain organ (like a pulmonologist for the lungs). Sometimes, they recommend a follow-up X-ray to see if a finding changes over time.

Check with your provider if you have any questions about the X-ray results.

Can an X-ray show cancer?

X-rays can show cancer, but it’s not how providers look for or diagnose most cancers. This is because tumors in your organs can be small or hidden behind other structures in your body, or they can blend in with normal tissues.