X-rays: What Are They and What Are X-rays Used For?

Radiology and medical imaging studies are increasingly used in healthcare services to diagnose different diseases and injuries. Countless clinical studies are performed on patients to detect fractures, tumors, infections, deformities, degeneration, and conditions in the body's various systems. X-rays are indispensable due to their great usefulness, practicality, and low cost.

What Are X-rays?

You may be wondering what X-rays are. Put simply, we can define them as a type of radiation that uses beams of rays or electromagnetic waves to project the internal structure of the body. Performing X-ray studies is essential in cases where laboratory tests or physical examinations are not sufficient, since they allow the physician to see what is happening inside our body.

Some of the studies in which X-rays are used include X-ray imaging, mammography, computed tomography, and dental panoramic radiographs. Although each is performed differently using specific techniques, all of these studies can show the bones, tissues, and organs in the area under study.

When this study is performed, X-rays are absorbed by the desired parts of the body, revealing their internal structure based on the amount of radiation received. Depending on this, different shades will appear. For example, bones absorb the most waves due to the calcium in the skeletal system, appearing as a white tone. Meanwhile, tissue, muscle, and fat interact less and appear as gray shadows.

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Imaging Studies That Use X-rays

X-ray Imaging

The electromagnetic waves emitted by X-rays are not visible to the naked eye, but several studies use them to explore the internal structure of the body. X-ray imaging is the best known, and is used to evaluate different conditions, for example trauma (impacts), conditions such as osteoporosis and arthritis, infections and metabolic disorders, cancer, and foreign objects in soft tissue.

This test is fast, painless, and efficient, since no preparation is required beforehand. It is only important for women to inform the radiologist if they are pregnant, so that they can consult with the treating physician on whether exposure to radiation is advisable.

Computed Tomography

There are other imaging techniques that make use of this penetrating energy to study the body. Such is the case of computed tomography (CT). Physicians request it mainly for more detailed analysis, because of its unique ability to transform 2D images into 3D, showing bones, organs, tissues, and more with greater clarity.

Angiography is a type of tomography in which specialists seek an image of the veins and vascular system. A common application is that it allows visualization of the structures through which blood enters and exits the heart. 

On the other hand, there is multislice computed tomography (MSCT), which captures the scans in layers. It is also widely requested in cardiology.

Mastography or Mammography

Finally, we can mention mammograms, X-ray images of the mammary glands that use X-rays to explore their structure and detect any abnormality. It is one of the preferred methods for the early detection of breast cancer.

Breast radiology is therefore one of the most important tools for reducing mortality statistics among men and women from tumors in this area of the body. However, this study is not recommended for people under 40 years of age.

Dental Panoramic Radiographs

In this case, X-rays are also used to obtain an image of the structure of the teeth. This is the first step that allows dentists to perform treatments such as alignments, extractions, and special procedures such as addressing damage to the nerves of the teeth.

Are There Risks Associated with X-ray Exposure?

When your doctor recommends any of the studies described above, there is no need to be afraid, since the amount of radiation used today is controlled so as not to affect the body. An increasing number of radiology systems include these regulatory features, so that the radiologist does not expose patients to excessive radiation.

These doses are standardized, and according to the Radiological Society of North America, for extremities the amount of radiation is 0.001 mSv, equivalent to 3 hours of natural exposure to the sun. For the chest, however, the amount is higher, at 0.1 mSv, equal to 10 days of sun exposure.

Based on how often X-rays or CT scans need to be performed, the specialist will take safety measures to minimize the risk of exposure. 

In conclusion, the benefits of these studies far outweigh their risks. Remember to seek a physician's opinion before undergoing any of these studies.

References

• X-rays. Medline Plus.
• Bone X-ray (Radiography). RadiologyInfo.
• Medical Imaging: Fundamentals and Scope. Scielo.
• Breast Cancer. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (Pan American Health Organization, PAHO).
• Do X-rays Carry Any Risk? Saber Vivir.