X-Ray

X-Ray services offered in Santa Clarita, CA

X-ray machines are vital in diagnosing issues with your soft tissues and bones. Norman Pennington, MD, and the Total Imaging & Open MRI team provide expert imaging studies to the residents in the Santa Clarita, California, area. Dr. Pennington has years of experience as a radiologist and offers compassionate and expert care when you need an X-ray for your symptoms. Call the office to schedule an X-ray exam today or book a consultation online.

X-Ray Q & A

What is an X-Ray?

An X-Ray is an imaging study that uses low doses of radiation to show images of your soft tissues and bone. X-Rays are also known as radiographs, as they’re under the radiology umbrella of medical imaging.

X-Ray images aren’t quite as detailed as images created by an MRI; however, their simplicity frequently makes them the first diagnostic tool of choice. They also use small amounts of radiation, meaning they’re not safe if you’re pregnant.

This type of imaging is used to look for problems within your bones or soft tissues. Your organs are also able to be visualized on an X-Ray picture.

When do you need an X-Ray?

There are many instances where an X-Ray helps diagnose a condition. One of the main reasons an X-Ray is ordered is to confirm or diagnose a broken bone. However, there are other uses for this type of study, some of which include:

Identifying foreign objects
Evaluating symptoms like swelling or pain
Diagnosing structural issues in your joints or bones
Routine screening for cancer
Diagnosing osteoporosis and arthritis

X-Ray imaging is also used to evaluate your lungs for infection or conditions like pneumonia. Your dentist also uses X-Rays to assess your dental health and the bones in your jaw.

What are the different types of X-Rays?

There are many different forms of X-Rays, each designed to look at specific areas of your body. For example, an abdominal X-Ray takes images of the structures in your abdominal cavity. Other types of X-Rays include:

Chest X-Ray
Bone X-Ray
Mammogram
Dental X-Ray

Fluoroscopy is a type of X-Ray that allows the team to see a moving picture of your bones or organs. This type of X-Ray is often used to look at your gastrointestinal tract. It shows a moving image on a specialized screen.

Computed tomography, also known as a CT scan, is another type of X-Ray. A CT scan shows cross-sections of tissues and bones. It’s more detailed than a traditional X-ray and performed in a machine that’s shaped like a donut.

If you’re in need of an X-ray study, call the team at Total Imaging & Open MRI today to schedule your exam. You can also send the team a message on the website.

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