A skull x-ray is a picture of the bones surrounding the brain, including the facial bones, the nose, and the sinuses.
See also: Sinus x-ray
Alternative NamesX-ray - head; X-ray - skull; Skull radiography; Head x-ray
How the test is performedThe test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technician. You will be asked to lie on the x-ray table or sit in a chair. Your head may be placed in a number of positions.
How to prepare for the testInform the health care provider if you are pregnant. Remove all jewelry.
How the test will feelGenerally, there is little or no discomfort during an x-ray. If there is a head injury, positioning the head may be uncomfortable.
Why the test is performedYour doctor may order this test if you you have injured your skull or you have symptoms or signs of a structural problem inside the skull (such as a tumor or bleeding).
A skull x-ray is also used to evaluate an unusually shaped child's head.
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed include the following:
Abnormal results may be due to:
A skull x-ray may detect increased intracranial pressure and unusual skull structures that are present at birth (congenital).
What the risks areThere is low radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits. Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks associated with x-rays.
Special considerationsA CT scan of the head is usually preferred to a skull x-ray to evaluate most head injuries or brain disorders. Skull x-rays are rarely used as the main test to diagnose such conditions.
ReferencesStevens JM. Cranial and intracranial disease: trauma, cerebrospinal fluid disturbances, degenerative disorders and epilepsy. In: Grainger RC, Allison D, Adam, Dixon AK, eds. Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 5th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 5.
A skull x-ray is a picture of the bones surrounding the brain, including the facial bones, the nose, and the sinuses.
See also: Sinus x-ray
Alternative NamesX-ray - head; X-ray - skull; Skull radiography; Head x-ray
How the test is performedThe test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technician. You will be asked to lie on the x-ray table or sit in a chair. Your head may be placed in a number of positions.
How to prepare for the testInform the health care provider if you are pregnant. Remove all jewelry.
How the test will feelGenerally, there is little or no discomfort during an x-ray. If there is a head injury, positioning the head may be uncomfortable.
Why the test is performedYour doctor may order this test if you you have injured your skull or you have symptoms or signs of a structural problem inside the skull (such as a tumor or bleeding).
A skull x-ray is also used to evaluate an unusually shaped child's head.
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed include the following:
Abnormal results may be due to:
A skull x-ray may detect increased intracranial pressure and unusual skull structures that are present at birth (congenital).
What the risks areThere is low radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits. Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks associated with x-rays.
Special considerationsA CT scan of the head is usually preferred to a skull x-ray to evaluate most head injuries or brain disorders. Skull x-rays are rarely used as the main test to diagnose such conditions.
ReferencesStevens JM. Cranial and intracranial disease: trauma, cerebrospinal fluid disturbances, degenerative disorders and epilepsy. In: Grainger RC, Allison D, Adam, Dixon AK, eds. Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 5th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 5.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 11/22/2010
Kevin Sheth, MD, Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Skull tumor c shaped lucency describes appearance in x-ray.
There is no antonym. An xray is a wavelength. There is no opposite.
when taking a dental xray how do u make it appear on the xray more darker in color?
had a chest xray, there was a shadow over my heart what is it
You should check out RC XRAY. They are an online dealer who only sells XRAY RC cars and parts through their store. This includes the XRAY M18T PRO.
No. Neither X-Ray nor xray are allowed in Scrabble.
XRAY Model Racing Cars was created in 2000.
Yes, XRAY is a company. If you are referring to the electromagnetic radiation, x-ray what you mean.
An xray technician is commonly referred to as a radtech or radiation technician in a medical setting.
DENTSPLY International Inc. (XRAY) had its IPO in 1987.
xray tech...how needs doctors anyway!
If they are calcified, such as an aorta that has plaque build up. Abdominal aortic aneurysms can sometimes be seen on xray in this situation. However, in general, arteries do not show up on xray.