X-rays are the most common type of diagnostic screening. Here’s what you might not already know about them.

X-rays can be used to look at soft tissue.

Although X-ray scans are most often used to examine bones and joints, they can also detect certain soft tissue issues. For example, tumors appear white on the X-ray image because a tumor is denser than soft tissue. X-rays can examine most areas of the body. You might receive an X-ray for possible bone fractures, tooth problems, or abnormal masses.

X-ray procedures differ based on which body part is being scanned.

Your healthcare provider will walk you through the entire procedure from start to finish. Depending on the body part being scanned, it might be necessary for you to change into a gown before the scan. Most X-ray scans take place with the patient lying on a special table. The technologist will likely guide you through a series of positions, capturing images from different angles. X-rays typically take around ten minutes to complete, but certain scans can take longer. After all X-rays, your doctor will review the findings with you and if needed, discuss any additional steps.

X-rays are extremely safe.

X-ray scans involve a tiny amount of ionizing radiation in order to detect issues like bone fractures. However, we are exposed to natural sources of radiation all the time. The amount of radiation is comparable to other radiation sources such as radon in your home. One adult chest X-ray is around the same as 10 days of radiation we are naturally exposed to. For most people, the benefits of receiving an X-ray outweigh the risks.

X-Ray at A.T. Radiology

A.T Radiology offers diagnostic X-ray scans at our offices in Davenport, Lake Wales, and Winter Haven. If you are interested in learning more about X-ray at A.T. Radiology, please give us a call at 863-419-8832.

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2. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and American College of Radiology (ACR). (n.d.). Radiation dose. Radiologyinfo.org. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/safety-xray 
3. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). X-rays. MedlinePlus. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://medlineplus.gov/xrays.html 
4. X-rays. X-Rays | Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2021, August 8). Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/xrays