Without a doubt, numerous technologies like Computed Tomography
(CT), Magnetic Resource Imaging (MRI) and Ultrasound Imaging (UI) have
surfaced over the years in the medical industry. But, plain x-rays hold
their importance till date when it comes to diagnosing different kinds
of illnesses. Plain x-rays or radiography involve use of an x-ray
generator to produce an x-ray beam which passes through the required
object like the body part that needs to be examined. The object or
material that the beam penetrates absorbs the same with the amounts
varying as per the density and composition of the object. The x-rays
that do not get absorbed get recorded on a film.
Usually, it's the bones of the patient that easily absorb the x-rays to appear white on the image, while soft tissues like muscle fiber absorb a lesser amount of x-rays and thus, appear dark or grayish. It is this reason why the black and white contrast is generally seen on x-ray pictures. Also, this is the reason why conventional or plain x-rays are deemed as appropriate for bone or tissue scans, be it analysis of a bone fracture or dental imaging.
Radiography or plain x-ray is also used to examine the abdomen organs like bladder or liver. Further, it helps conduct chest radiography to detect any lung diseases, including lung cancer and pneumonia. Mammography is another technique that helps detect breast cancer at a very early stage. In order to detect illnesses related to intestine or stomach or urinary tract, x-ray fluoroscopy is brought into use.
Medical x-ray images were earlier shown on photographic film. The same required a little processing before the image could be seen. However, digital x-rays are unlike the same and use an electronic detector instead. A computer is used to process the image which can be stored digitally. Also, the doctor can view the same instantly.
Using plain x-rays, doctors can get high-resolution, fast images at affordable costs. A plain x-ray test does not take more than 15 minutes. All what the radiographer needs to do is choose the type of x-rays for use and amount of x-rays as per the size of the patient, the body part to be examined and the image contrast. The reason being the movement of the body part makes the image blurred. The image produced gets stored on radiograph and a radiologist analyzes the same.
However, the x-ray image production involves usage of ionizing radiation which is carcinogenic enough to cause some kind of damage to patient's health if exposed to it. But, experts say that the benefits of radiography are powerful enough to overshadow the slight risks involved in the procedure.
An x-ray test is usually considered more harmful when it comes to conducting the same on a pregnant woman. Since, the embryo is highly sensitive to the radiations the woman is exposed to. This may result in some kind of abnormality or other health problem in the unborn.
Usually, it's the bones of the patient that easily absorb the x-rays to appear white on the image, while soft tissues like muscle fiber absorb a lesser amount of x-rays and thus, appear dark or grayish. It is this reason why the black and white contrast is generally seen on x-ray pictures. Also, this is the reason why conventional or plain x-rays are deemed as appropriate for bone or tissue scans, be it analysis of a bone fracture or dental imaging.
Radiography or plain x-ray is also used to examine the abdomen organs like bladder or liver. Further, it helps conduct chest radiography to detect any lung diseases, including lung cancer and pneumonia. Mammography is another technique that helps detect breast cancer at a very early stage. In order to detect illnesses related to intestine or stomach or urinary tract, x-ray fluoroscopy is brought into use.
Medical x-ray images were earlier shown on photographic film. The same required a little processing before the image could be seen. However, digital x-rays are unlike the same and use an electronic detector instead. A computer is used to process the image which can be stored digitally. Also, the doctor can view the same instantly.
Using plain x-rays, doctors can get high-resolution, fast images at affordable costs. A plain x-ray test does not take more than 15 minutes. All what the radiographer needs to do is choose the type of x-rays for use and amount of x-rays as per the size of the patient, the body part to be examined and the image contrast. The reason being the movement of the body part makes the image blurred. The image produced gets stored on radiograph and a radiologist analyzes the same.
However, the x-ray image production involves usage of ionizing radiation which is carcinogenic enough to cause some kind of damage to patient's health if exposed to it. But, experts say that the benefits of radiography are powerful enough to overshadow the slight risks involved in the procedure.
An x-ray test is usually considered more harmful when it comes to conducting the same on a pregnant woman. Since, the embryo is highly sensitive to the radiations the woman is exposed to. This may result in some kind of abnormality or other health problem in the unborn.
