X-ray exam

What is digital radiography?

X-ray is a method used to produce images of internal structures of the body using x-ray beams. This method is successfully used to diagnose lung, musculoskeletal (bone, joints, spine) diseases, as well as some abdominal and brain diseases.

In traditional radiography, the image of internal structures that are being examined is transferred onto a film.

A modern method of radiography is digital radiography. The image is displayed on a computer screen, and it can be saved on a digital data storage device, as well as on paper or film.

Digital radiography has a number of advantages:

• Modern x-rays expose patients to less radiation than their classical counterparts.
• High quality and accuracy of images.
• Fast results – the image is ready almost instantaneously, and one only has to decide whether to print it on paper, film, or record on a disk.
• It is easy to store x-ray images. Creating a digital archive makes it easier to view and compare older images when having an additional test.

Digital radiography at Kivach Clinic

Radiography, as a diagnostic method, is used to help treat many diseases. Here are some of them:

• Screening for lung diseases (should be done no less than once every two years by all Russian citizens over 16).
• Examination of lung diseases or the suspicion of their presence.
• Joint diseases.
• Other bone injuries – bone fracture, deformities, postural defects, lower limb deformities.
• Paranasal sinus abnormalities.
• Nasal septum deviation.

What to expect during the procedure?

The exam is conducted in a specially equipped room – an x-ray room. Clothes are removed from the body part that is being examined. Other body parts are covered by a protective lead blanket. The patient can stand, sit, or lie by the x-ray machine – it depends on the organ that is being examined and the direction of x-ray beams.

X-ray beams pass through a patient's body part and are captured by a special plate that is scanned, and the results are sent to a computer within seconds. During those seconds, the patient has to stay still.

In digital radiography, the image does not have to be developed, and it is sent to the doctor straight away. The patient receives a disc with x-ray images saved on it.

Contraindications

Pregnancy is a relative contraindication. In case of emergency, an x-ray exam is performed with all necessary precautions.

Question-answer

1. Is the procedure safe?

2. Yes, the procedure is safe. When using modern equipment, the patient is exposed to up to 1% of the annual radiation dose.

3. What is the radiation dose when having an x-ray?

4. During a digital x-ray, the radiation dose is 5-10 times lower than during traditional radiography. E.g., an average radiation dose when having a digital x-ray exam is 0.05 mSv/procedure, and in traditional radiography it is 0.5 mSv/procedure. The maximum annual radiation dose for a human that will not have any health consequences is 150 mSv per year. Background radiation is 3-4 mSv per year.

5. Is the procedure painful?

6. No, the procedure is absolutely painless.

7. How to prepare for the procedure?

8. No special preparation is required.

9. Are the complications possible?

10. There are no complications.

11. What ensures that the procedure is successful?
12. • Qualified medical specialists with extensive practical experience.
    • Advanced equipment.
    • Compliance with the standards of medical care.