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X-ray (radiological) examination of the skull is one of the basic diagnostic tests used for imaging skull bone structures. It does not require special preparation, and due to the low dose of X-rays, it is considered safe. It should be remembered that the test is absolutely contraindicated in pregnant women.
What is X-ray examination?
The X-ray examination is nothing more than the imaging examination it uses to obtain the result x-rays. The part of the body that we need a picture of is illuminated with them. The radiation that radiates the body’s tissues is emitted by an X-ray tube to then hit the so-called x-ray film. It differs from photographic film in that it is sensitive to the rays of the X-ray tube.
But why is there an image on the film in which different tissues have different colors? This is due to the fact that each tissue absorbs X-rays to a different degree, which means that it has a different color in the picture – darker or lighter. Interestingly, the first X-ray studies were carried out in the 1901th century, and in XNUMX its discoverer was awarded the Nobel Prize.
Indications for a skull X-ray
The skull X-ray is most often used in the diagnosis of:
- skull injuries – especially in the case of cavities, fractures, cavities and tumor metastases,
- Congenital defects – including splitting (e.g. cleft palate, cleft occiput), Turner syndrome (underdevelopment of the mandible, gothic palate), Apert’s syndrome (pseudoprognatism, hypoplasia of the jawbones)
- intracranial calcifications – especially in the case of parasitic diseases, e.g. cysticercosis, toxoplasmosis; neoplastic diseases, e.g., meningiomas; Fahr’s disease (calcification of the basal ganglia),
- bone damage – in the case of chondroids, Paget’s disease, adenomas of the pituitary gland, multiple myeloma and purulent osteitis,
- Turkish saddle diseases – especially when empty saddle syndrome is suspected,
- foreign bodies in the skull,
- headaches of unknown etiology.
Learn more about the most common craniocerebral injuries
Contraindications to performing a skull X-ray
As X-rays are not indifferent to our health, not all of them, and not always can be done. Pregnancy is an absolute contraindication. It is also not recommended during breastfeeding, unless the examination concerns a part of the body other than the chest. Then the woman is put on a special apron that protects against the harmful effects of radiation.
It should also be remembered that the X-ray examination should be performed as rarely as possible, because the intake of a large dose of radiation may have a negative effect on DNA, leading to its damage, and also leading to the development of neoplasms in the body. Therefore, performing them in a pregnant woman can be particularly dangerous.
The course of the skull X-ray examination
The radiographic examination of the skull is used primarily for the imaging of the skull. In the case of the cranium, it is recommended to take pictures aimed at a specific structure, e.g. bones of the nose, mandible, paranasal sinuses or temporomandibular joints. The test itself is very short. The patient will be asked to put on a gown to protect the rest of the body and to position himself as indicated by the radiologist.
How to prepare for a skull X-ray examination?
Skull X-ray is a non-invasive, painless and short-term examination. It is performed standing up and does not require removing clothes, except for jewelry located around the head. In order to protect internal organs from ionizing radiation, the rest of the body is covered with a special apron. However, you must remember to perform it only in situations where it is necessary, due to the harmfulness of X-rays.
Read more about X-ray examinations
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