Table of Contents
- Overview
- Results
- Risks
- Prevention
- Images
Radiography
What the risks are
For most conventional x-rays, the risk of cancer or defects due to damaged ovarian cells or sperm cells is very low. Most experts feel that this low risk is largely outweighed by the benefits of information gained from appropriate imaging. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image.
Young children and fetuses are more sensitive to the risks of x-rays. Women should tell health care providers if they think they are pregnant.
For additional information regarding why the test is performed and normal and abnormal results, please see the specific x-ray topics:
Abdominal x-ray Barium x-ray Bone x-ray Chest x-ray Dental x-rays - Gallbladder x-ray
Hand x-ray Joint x-ray Lumbosacral spine x-ray Neck x-ray Pelvis x-ray Skull x-ray Thoracic spine x-ray X-ray of the skeleton
Special considerations
Previous Section
Review Date: 08/05/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of
Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director,
A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
