In elderly or patients with osteoporosis, a hip fracture may be clearly seen on a CT scan, while it may be barely seen, if at all, on a hip x-ray.įor suspected spine injury or other complicated injuries, 3-D reconstructed CT images can be made without additional radiation exposure to help the diagnosis and treatment of the individual patient's condition. A CT scan can image complicated fractures, subtle fractures or dislocations. MRI can also detect subtle or occult fractures or bone bruises (also called bone contusions or microfractures) not visible on x-ray images.ĬT is being used widely to assess trauma patients in emergency departments. While x-ray images are among the clearest, most detailed views of bone, they provide little information about muscles, tendons or joints.Īn MRI may be more useful in identifying bone and joint injuries (e.g., meniscal and ligament tears in the knee, rotator cuff and labrum tears in the shoulder) and in imaging of the spine (because both the bones and the spinal cord can be evaluated). This ensures that the areas of your body not being imaged receive minimal radiation exposure. Modern x-ray systems minimize stray (scatter) radiation by using controlled x-ray beams and dose control methods. National and international radiology protection organizations continually review and update the technique standards radiology professionals use. See the Safety in X-ray, Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Procedures page for more information about pregnancy and x-rays.Ī Word About Minimizing Radiation Exposureĭoctors take special care during x-ray exams to use the lowest radiation dose possible while producing the best images for evaluation. Women should always tell their doctor and x-ray technologist if they are pregnant.See the Radiation Dose in X-Ray and CT Exams page for more information about radiation dose. The radiation dose for this procedure varies.However, given the small amount of radiation used in medical imaging, the benefit of an accurate diagnosis far outweighs the associated risk. There is always a slight chance of cancer from excessive exposure to radiation.X-rays usually have no side effects in the typical diagnostic range for this exam.No radiation stays in your body after an x-ray exam. ![]()
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