X-ray

What is an Abdomen X-ray?

An abdominal X-ray helps us see your internal organs, including your stomach, liver, spleen and your small and large intestines. It also shows your diaphragm (the muscle that separates your chest and belly areas). Sometimes, we use a special type of abdominal X-ray to examine your kidneys, bladder and ureters (the tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder).

Why is this exam performed?

Your doctor may order an abdominal X-ray to:

• Determine the cause of pain or swelling in your belly or chronic nausea and vomiting.
• Determine the cause of pain in your lower back on either side of your spine.
• Visualize the size, shape and position of your liver, spleen and kidneys.
• Look for stones in your gallbladder, kidneys, ureters or bladder.
• Look for air outside of your bowel.
• Locate an object that you’ve swallowed or put into your body.
• Make sure that catheters or tubes are properly positioned.

How should I prepare?

You don’t have to do anything special to get ready for an abdominal X-ray unless your doctor tells you otherwise. However, you should tell the technologist performing your X-ray if there’s any chance you may be pregnant. You should also tell your doctor if you’ve had a recent X-ray that involved barium contrast material. Barium may prevent us from getting a clear picture of your abdomen.

Just before your X-ray, we ask you to change into a hospital gown. We also ask you to remove any jewelry in your abdominal area.

How is the test performed?

During this exam, we get two views of your abdomen. To get the first view, a licensed technologist positions you lying on a table. They walk behind a wall to activate the X-ray machine.

It’s important to stay very still. The technologist may ask you to briefly hold your breath while the X-ray is taken. This reduces the risk of a blurry image.

For the second view, the technologist asks you to lie on your side or stand up.

What will I experience during the procedure?

We usually complete this X-ray in 10 minutes or less. It’s a completely painless procedure.

What is an arthrogram?

An arthrogram is a type of X-ray that allows us to evaluate your joints. Most often, we use this test to look at your shoulders, wrists, hips, knees, ankles and elbows. The test uses fluoroscopy and contrast that makes your joint easier to see. Sometimes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) are used in place of this exam.

Why is this exam performed?

This exam allows us to see changes in the structure and function of your joint. It helps us determine if you might need surgery or joint replacement.

How should I prepare?

No special preparation is needed. However, if you need a sedative for the test, your doctor will give you instructions about eating and drinking before the test.

You should tell your doctor and the technologist doing your test if there’s any chance you might be pregnant. Sometimes it’s best to delay an X-ray during pregnancy. However, if your doctor believes you should have the test, we take special precautions to protect your baby.

You should also tell your doctor if you take any medications, have kidney problems or are allergic to contrast that contains iodine.

How is the test performed?

For this test, we first position you on a table and take a basic X-ray of the joint being examined. We compare this image to the arthrogram we do later.

Next, we clean the skin around your joint with antiseptic and cover it with a sterile drape. Using a small needle, a radiologist injects local anesthetic into the area. Then, we inject the contrast. Once we remove the needle, we may ask you to move the affected joint to distribute the contrast throughout the space. The radiologist may move the joint for you.

What will I experience during and after the procedure?

We usually complete an arthrogram within 30 minutes. If you receive a CT or MRI as part of the test, the entire exam time may be one to two hours.

You experience a slight pinprick and may feel a momentary burning if local anesthesia is used to numb your joint area. When the contrast is injected, the joint may feel full. You may also hear some gurgling when the joint is moved. All of this is normal.

After the exam, it’s not uncommon to have some swelling and discomfort. You can apply a cold compress to the joint or take a mild, over-the-counter pain reliever to help with discomfort. These symptoms usually get better within 48 hours. Contact your doctor if they persist.

We recommend that you avoid vigorous exercise for 12 hours after the exam.

What is a barium enema?

A barium enema is an X-ray that allows doctors to view your colon and rectum. It involves a contrast material containing barium. Doctors introduce this material into your colon through a tube that’s inserted into your anus. The barium helps your colon show up better on fluoroscopy. Sometimes, doctors also introduce air into your large bowel. This is called a double-contrast technique.

What is a chest X-ray?

Chest X-rays are the most common type of X-ray. They show your heart and lungs, as well as airways, blood vessels and the bones of your spine and chest.

Why is this exam performed?

A chest X-ray may help diagnose conditions related to a variety of symptoms:

• Chest pain or injury
• Fever
• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath

These X-rays can also be helpful when monitoring these conditions:

• Emphysema
• Fluid or air collection around your lungs
• Heart failure and other heart conditions
• Lung cancer
• Pneumonia

We may also use a chest X-ray to help place IV lines and tubes.

How should I prepare?

You don’t have to do anything to prepare for a chest X-ray. However, be sure to tell your technologist if there’s any possibility you could be pregnant. We may avoid doing X-rays if you’re pregnant. But if your doctor determines the X-ray is necessary, we take special precautions to minimize radiation exposure to your baby.

One we’re ready to do your test, we ask you to remove your clothing above your waist and change into a gown. We also ask you to remove any jewelry in your chest area.

How is the test performed?  

During your X-ray, a technologist positions you with your hands on your hips and your chest pressed against an imaging plate. They also get a second view, during which you are positioned with your side against the imaging plate and your arms elevated. If you’re not able to stand, we may position you lying on a table or stretcher.

During your X-ray, we may place a lead apron over your pelvic area to provide protection from the radiation. To get a clear image, it’s important to hold very still. We ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds.

What should I expect during and after the procedure?

A chest X-ray is painless. However, if you have arthritis or other injuries, standing still during your exam may cause some discomfort. We do all we can to find a position that keeps you as comfortable as possible but allows us to get a quality image.

Your X-ray should take no longer than 10 minutes.

What is an extremity or spine X-ray?

An X-ray of your spine shows the bones of your back. Extremity X-rays provide images of your limbs. They may help doctors see your hands, wrists, feet, ankles, thighs, forearms, shins, upper arms, hips and shoulders.

Why is this exam performed?

These types of X-rays are used to:

• Assist in the detection and diagnosis of bone cancer.
• Diagnose broken bones and joint dislocation.
• Guide orthopedic surgery.
• Look for foreign objects in your bones or soft tissues around bone.
• Look for injury, infection, arthritis, abnormal bone growth and bone changes seen with metabolic conditions.
• Make sure bones are properly aligned and stabilized after a fracture.

How should I prepare?

You don’t need to do anything to prepare for these X-rays. However, be sure to tell your technologist if there’s any possibility you could be pregnant. We may avoid doing X-rays if you’re pregnant. But if your doctor determines the X-ray is necessary, we take special precautions to minimize radiation exposure to your baby.

How is the test performed?

A licensed technologist positions you on an X-ray table. They then align the camera with the part of your body being imaged. If necessary, they use sandbags, pillows or other devices to help position you correctly for the test. They may place a lead apron over your pelvic area to limit your radiation exposure.

To get a good image, it’s important to hold very still. Depending on the body part being studied, more than one image may be taken.

What should I expect before and after the procedure?

X-rays are not painful. However, you may experience discomfort staying in one position or lying on the X-ray table, especially if you’ve been injured. We try our best to get a good image while keeping you as comfortable as possible.

Typically, we can complete these X-rays within 10-15 minutes.

What is a gastrointestinal X-ray?

A gastrointestinal (GI) X-ray looks at your upper GI tract — your esophagus, stomach and duodenum (the first part of your small intestine). The test uses fluoroscopy and one or more types of contrast material that you take by mouth. The contrast may be barium or baking soda crystals (similar to Alka-Seltzer). If you’ve recently had GI surgery or an allergic reaction to contrast material, your doctor may recommend contrast containing iodine.

Why is this exam performed?

This X-ray helps us evaluate how your digestive system is working. It may also help identify a variety of GI problems:

• Abnormalities of the muscular wall of the GI tract
• Blockages
• Hiatal hernia
• Inflammation
• Scarring
• Tumors
• Ulcers

An upper GI X-ray can also help diagnose the cause of other symptoms:

• Blood in the stool
• Chest and abdominal pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Reflux (the backward flow of partially digested food and digestive juices)
• Severe indigestion
• Unexplained vomiting

How should I prepare?

Your doctor gives you detailed instructions on how to prepare for this exam. Be sure to tell your doctor if you might be pregnant. You should also tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking and if you have any allergies, especially to barium or contrast materials containing iodine.

On the day of your test, it’s best to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. However, for your comfort, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown.

How is the test performed?

A licensed technologist and a board-certified radiologist guide you through your exam. They first have you drink liquid barium, which resembles a light-colored milkshake. The radiologist uses fluoroscopy to watch the barium pass through your digestive tract.

During your test, the technologist or radiologist may position the table at different angles or press on your abdomen to help spread the barium. Once your upper GI tract is coated with the barium, they take still X-ray images.

We can usually complete your exam within 20 minutes.

What should I expect during and after the procedure?

We try to make this test as smooth and easy as possible, although you may find parts of it challenging. The barium drink is flavored, but it does have a chalky taste. Some people find the consistency of barium unpleasant and difficult to swallow.

Being tilted on the exam table and having pressure applied to your abdomen may be somewhat uncomfortable. The exam may also make you feel bloated.

If you receive the gas-producing crystals, you may feel a need to belch. However, it’s best to try to hold in your gas. This will enhance the details on your X-ray. Swallowing your saliva may help.

After your exam, you can resume your regular diet and take your regular oral medications unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

You may notice that your stools appear gray or white for 48 to 72 hours after your procedure. This is normal and a result of drinking barium.

Some people also experience constipation. You can relieve this by taking an over-the-counter laxative. Drinking large amounts of fluid for several days following the test may also help. If you’re unable to have a bowel movement, or if you notice significant changes in your bowels after the test, talk to your doctor.