X-Rays and Conventional Diagnostic Radiology

Radiography, more commonly known as X-ray, is the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging. Conventional diagnostic radiography uses small doses of ionizing radiation to produce diagnostic pictures of the human body on film. The image is created when the X-ray passes through bone and tissues onto film or a digital image recording plate.

X-rays are commonly used to assist physicians in the diagnosis and assessment of many conditions, including arthritis, bone fractures, pneumonia, and scoliosis. In the case of a broken bone, X-rays can show very fine hairline fractures or chips and ensure that a fracture has been properly realigned and stabilized.

There is no special preparation required for most radiographs. You may be asked to change into a gown for your examination, and you will need to remove any jewelry, eyeglasses, and any other metal objects that could obscure the images. Females should tell the doctor or technologist if there is any chance they could be pregnant. There is no pain associated with having an X-ray. Sometimes you will be asked to hold yourself in an uncomfortable position for a short time while the X-ray is taken, but that discomfort will be brief.

The images will be processed and then the radiologist will evaluate and interpret the study and promptly inform your referring physician of the results.

Common Adult X-Ray Procedures

Wake Radiology’s Sub-specialty Radiologist 

All Wake Radiology bone densitometry (bone density) exams are conducted by technologists and interpreted by radiologists who have been certified by the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD). Wake Radiology is proud to be the only provider in the Triangle – and one of the first in the nation – to be certified by the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) for bone density studies. This significant accomplishment is the highest certification offered by the ISCD.