Radiographic Exam

Radiographic Exam Is Used For

A Radiographic Exam involves the use of radiation (both ionizing and non-ionizing) in obtaining a visual representation of certain tissues in the body for medical purposes. X-ray tests are very common – in fact they are the second most common medical tests, with the most common being laboratory testing. Radiographic Exam procedures, also commonly known as diagnostic radiography, allow the specialized health care professionals to obtain images of the internal structure of the human body; this is possible due to the differences in the densities of the various tissues, as well as the absorption or attenuation of the photons in the X-rays in the calcium-rich bone tissue, as well as other dense substances.

A Radiographic Exam may be performed in order to diagnose, assess or observe a large number of various medical conditions. Bone fractures, pulmonary anomalies, cysts are just examples of such medical conditions which may be clearly observed in X-ray pictures, and the applications based on this procedure extend in all the branches of medicinal practice. In addition to the basic radiographic imaging, a number of procedures have been developed to assist and enhance radiography-based investigations; for example, angiographic studies involve injection of a substance (called a contrast agent or a contrast dye) into the patient’s bloodstream through a catheter (a thin, long, flexible tube inserted into the patient’s blood vessels), in order to block the X-rays and make the blood vessel structure in certain parts of the body clearly visible in the pictures taken. These procedures have been further enhanced by the use of a computer, which allows the removal of the irrelevant tissue images from the final picture; this procedure is called digital subtraction angiography.

Newer procedures allow body imaging through other means – such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET). These procedures provide significant improvement in the resulting images’ accuracy and resolution, while also representing the target tissue three-dimensionally; however, they are not readily available worldwide, and there are certain contraindications to each of them. As such, Radiographic Exam procedures are still the mainstay of body imaging throughout the world.

Radiographic Exam Description

The most common form of Radiographic Exam procedures is the exposure of objects to electromagnetic radiation (in high-energy forms) such as X-rays, and using the resulting beams to imprint an image of the object on photographic film or phosphor screens. Certain tissues (such as bone tissue or lung tissue) have a higher degree of X-ray absorption, which permits their observation through X-rays in a fast, effective and low-cost manner.

Depending on the tissue to be studied, different strengths and amounts of X-rays are used. For bone tissue, high energy photon sources are required; such a Radiographic Exam allows the detection and observation of foreign objects, bone fractures and bone anomalies and pathology (e.g. osteoarthritis), cancer (osteosarcoma), infection (osteomyelitis) or bone growth studies. Soft tissues require the use of less penetrating radiation, and the resulting images are used to analyze the lungs and heart, the neck soft tissues, or the soft tissue surrounding bone injuries. Dental radiography employs small doses of high penetration radiation to examine the gums and teeth. In the case of female patients, X-ray examinations may be performed as part of the breast cancer scanning tests – the resulting images are called mammograms.

Fluoroscopy is a specialized type of Radiographic Exam technique designed to offer moving radiographs of inferior quality – however this procedure is mostly employed as guidance for certain interventions (angioplasty, joint replacement or repair). Also, fluoroscopy may be used to investigate affections of the digestive system, with the aid of contrast agents introduced either through swallowing or enema. Angiography employs fluoroscopy to obtain an accurate imaging of the cardiovascular system, by using contrast dyes injected into the patient’s bloodstream and monitoring its expansion through the blood vessels. The contrast agents block the x-rays, allowing clear visualization under X-rays. Such procedures assist the health care professionals in the detection and assessment of aneurysms, thromboses, as well as catheter and stent placement.

Another procedure commonly in use is the DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorption), which allows the assessment of bone density, generally in the case of patients tested for osteoporosis. This procedure involves the projection of two X-ray beams at a 90 degree angle of each other; the patient is scanned across and the images are used to analyze the bone density and to image the lower back, the hip or the heel.

Radiographic Exam Related Medication

Over time, several substances have been used as contrast dyes in Radiographic Exam procedures, including caesium, silver, thorium, bismuth, tin, tantalum, zirconium, lanthanide or tungsten, but have been abandoned due to the high risks of side effects and complications. Currently, iodine based compounds are used; the risks of side effects are low and the X-ray absorption is high enough to provide very accurate imaging of the tissues. Allergic reactions to iodine and iodine based compounds are possible; as such, the supervising health care professionals will perform certain tests prior to the procedure in order to ensure that it is safe to administer the contrast agents.

There are two types of contrast agents: non-ionic and ionic compounds. The non-ionic agents are safer to use, however their cost is higher, up to five times the cost of ionic agents. In most cases, non-ionic contrast dyes are employed as the costs are justified by the benefits. In some cases, negative contrast agents need to be employed as part of the Radiographic Exam procedures. In current medical practice, these are air and CO2 (carbon dioxide). Carbon dioxide is preferred in many situations – for example in cases where the negative contrast agent needs to be injected into the bloodstream. CO2 is also more easily absorbed by the human body, and it also causes less spasm.

The specific contrast agent to be used will be determined by the supervising health care physician; the substance is chosen based on a number of factors which are specific to the situation, with the specific procedure type and the patient’s possible substance intolerance being the most important ones.