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Radiography, more commonly known as X-ray, is the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging. Conventional diagnostic radiography uses small doses of ionizing radiation to produce diagnostic pictures of the human body on film. The image is created when the X-ray passes through bone and tissues onto film or a digital-image recording plate.
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The diagnostic radiology equipment at Children's Hospital Boston is specially designed, modified, and staffed to facilitate high quality and rapid X-ray examinations at the lowest possible radiation doses for pediatric patients of any size, age, and medical condition, including tiny newborns, small infants, toddlers, young children, and maturing adolescents. The Radiology Department is committed to the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) standard for radiation doses.
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X-rays are commonly used to assist physicians in the diagnosis and assessment of many conditions, including arthritis, bone fractures, pneumonia, and scoliosis. In the case of a broken bone, X-rays can show very fine hairline fractures or chips and ensure that a fracture has been properly realigned and stabilized.
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There is no special preparation required for most radiographs. Your child may be asked to change into a gown for his or her examination, and he or she will need to remove any jewelry, eyeglasses, and any other metal objects that could obscure the images. Females should tell the doctor or technologist if there is any chance they could be pregnant.
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There is no pain associated with having an X-ray. Sometimes a child is asked to hold himself in an uncomfortable position for a short time while the X-ray is taken, but that discomfort will be brief.
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One of our pediatric radiologists will analyze the images and send a report to the physician who ordered the X-ray.
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You can learn of the results of your test from your ordering physician, often on the very same day of the procedure.
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