Common questions about digital X-rays
Surely, your radiologist or treating physician has already explained a lot about the exam to you. However, sometimes there are unanswered questions that only occur to you later, after the initial discomposure has passed. We have collected the most common questions below.
What is the benefit of digital X-ray in comparison with a “normal” X-ray?
Digital technology has several advantages over analog technology:
- Significant reduction in the amount of X-ray radiation required, due to increased sensitivity of the receiver.
- Exposure errors, and the repeated scans that they require, are largely avoidable due to post-processing on the computer.
- No darkroom is needed, and no developing machine is required any more. No chemicals need to be prepared or disposed of (environmental impact.)
- Utilization of all the benefits of digital image processing, such as digital magnification of certain regions of the image, or even density measurements in areas of diagnostic interest.
May pregnant women have X-rays taken?
No, X-rays during pregnancy should be limited to life-threatening or acute emergencies. Alternative examinations are possible, however, such as ultrasound and MRT in special cases.
Is the radiation load for a mammogram high?
Mammography is an X-ray technique and therefore involves exposure to X-rays. Mammography is the safest method for discovering microcalcification, for example, which is an indicator of an early form of breast cancer. The early detection of disease, at a stage when therapy is still very possible, is the purpose of digital mammography. The use of digital mammography, as at Radiology Baden-Baden, reduces the radiation dose to a minimum and is acceptable according to the current state of the art. Balancing the risk of missing breast cancer against the risk of a more theoretical induction of a second tumor due to X-ray radiation, the current state of the art shows a clear advantage for early detection of potential breast cancer through mammography, and the associated potential for complete recovery. This assumes that the disease is detected at an early stage.