Radiography

The department is involved in the diagnosis of patients using X-ray modalities. We attend to both out-patients and in-patients, and referrals from other hospitals.

Radiography is used in many types of examinations and procedures where a record of a static image is desired. Some examples include

    
• Dental examination    
• Verification of correct placement of surgical markers prior to invasive procedures
• Mammography
• Orthopedic evaluation
• Spot film or static recording during fluoroscopy
• Chiropractic examinations.

Risks/Benefits

Radiography is a type of x-ray procedure, and it carries the same types of risks as other x-ray procedures. The radiation dose the patient receives varies depending on the individual procedure, but is generally less than that received during fluoroscopy and computed tomography procedures.

The major risks associated with radiography are the small possibilities of

    
• developing a radiation-induced cancer or cataracts some time later in life, and
• causing a disturbance in the growth or development of an embryo or fetus (teratogenic defect) when performed on a pregnant patient or one of childbearing age.

When an individual has a medical need, the benefit of radiography far exceeds the small cancer risk associated with the procedure. Even when radiography is medically necessary, it should use the lowest possible exposure and the minimum number of images. In most cases many of the possible risks can be reduced or eliminated with proper shielding.