X-Ray
At SIRA, we perform many types of diagnostic X-rays.
X-ray or bone radiography, is very useful in helping your physican to diagnose and treat broken bones. More advanced cancers are often detectable in the bones through X-ray as well. Sometimes X-ray can be used to monitor the progression of arthritis or osteoporosis.
X-ray works by exposing a small dose of radiation to the affected part of your body. When the x-rays enter your body, they are absorbed in varying amounts by different types of cells. Denser parts of the body absorb more of the radiation and so the film shows lighter there. Soft organs will show up as darker because they do not absorb as much radiation.
What to expect at your appointment
When you arrive for your X-Ray you will be asked some questions about your medical history and you will sign some papers giving us permission to perform this exam on you. You must tell the technologist at this time if there is any possibility that you might be pregnant. You might need to change into a gown before your examination and you will have to remove any metal objects such as jewelry or eyeglasses that could interfere with the imaging.
During the X-Ray exam you will be positioned on a flat table, perhaps with pillows to hold the affected parts of your body in the right position. You will have to hold very still and not breathe for a few seconds while the technologist steps behind a shielded wall and starts the X-ray. The x-ray itself is on for only a fraction of a second. The exam is usually completely painless except that you might have to hold an uncomfortable position for a few moments.
The results of your x-ray will be read by one of our radiologists. Then the radiologist will send a copy of the report to your physician. At the time you are referred for your x-ray, your physician will make arrangements with you to give you your results.
Am I at risk from an x-ray?
The risks of x-ray are worthy of mention, if only to put you at ease about them. Since x-rays use radiation, you should not have x-ray examinations that are not medically necessary. If you are pregnant, or if there is any chance that you might be pregnant, we need to know this. You can still have an x-ray, but we will use a special lead apron to protect your fetus. We take special care to make sure that you only get the dosage of radiation that we need in order to get a good diagnostic picture. We use only high-speed x-ray film and the most modern equipment with very tightly-controlled beams and little stray radiation.
During a typical x-ray series, depending upon the area that you are having x-rayed, you will be exposed to about 20 milliroentgens of radiation. As a comparison, in a year, we are all exposed to 100 milliroentgens from natural sources like sunlight and the earth itself
Specialized x-rays – Using x-rays to see exactly what the doctor needs to see
Improved x-ray technology allows us to “zoom in” on the specific areas of your body that your physicians wish to examine. The instructions and explanations for different exams vary, so please select the exam required form the list below for the information you need.