What Is A Skull X-ray?
X-rays use invisible electromagnetic energy beams to create images of the skull. Standard X-rays are done for many reasons, including diagnosing tumors, infections, foreign objects, or bone injuries.
X-rays use external radiation to produce images of the body’s structures, organs, and internal parts to help diagnose a problem. X-rays pass through body tissues onto specially treated plates (similar to camera film) and make a “negative” type image. The more solid a structure is, the whiter it appears on the film. Computers and digital media may also be used instead of film.
When the body is exposed to X-rays, different parts of the body allow varying amounts of the X-ray beams to pass through. Images are produced in shades of light and dark depending on the amount of X-rays that pass through the tissues. Soft tissues in the body (such as blood, skin, fat, and muscle) allow most of the X-rays to pass through and appear dark gray on the film. A bone or a tumor, which is denser than soft tissue, allows fewer X-rays to pass through and appears white on the X-ray. In the case of a bone fracture, the X-ray beam passes through the break and shows up as a dark line in the white bone.
Although skull X-rays are used less frequently due to newer technologies such as computed tomography (CT scans) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), they are still helpful for looking at bones and detecting certain conditions in the skull and brain.
Skull Bones
The skull is the bony structure of the head. Two sets of bones form the skull:
Cranial bones: The bones that protect and surround the brain.
Facial bones: The bones that provide a framework for the face and mouth.
All the bones of the skull, except for the jawbone, which is connected by a movable joint, are connected by immovable joints.
The skull holds and protects the brain. It is made up of eight bones:
Frontal bone, parietal bones (one on each side), temporal bones (one on each side), ethmoid bone, sphenoid bone, occipital bone
The skeletal structure of the face includes 14 bones, which form the jaw, cheeks, and nose area.
Why Might I Need A Skull X-ray?
A skull X-ray may be done to diagnose fractures of the skull bones, birth defects, infections, foreign objects, pituitary tumors, and certain metabolic and endocrine disorders that cause bone defects in the skull. Skull X-rays can also be used to find tumors, check the nasal sinuses, and detect calcifications in the brain.
Your healthcare provider may have other reasons to recommend a skull X-ray.
What Are The Risks Of A Skull X-ray?
You may want to ask your healthcare provider about the amount of radiation used during the procedure and the specific risks that apply to you. Keeping a record of your radiation exposure from previous scans and other types of X-rays can be helpful to inform your healthcare providers. The risks of radiation exposure are related to the cumulative number of X-ray exams or treatments over time.
If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your provider. Radiation exposure during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. If you need a skull X-ray, special precautions will be taken to minimize radiation exposure to the fetus.
There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before the procedure.
How Do I Prepare For A Skull X-ray?
Your healthcare provider will explain the procedure to you and ask if you have any questions.
Generally, no fasting or sedation is required.
If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell the radiology technician.
If you have a prosthetic (artificial) eye, let the radiology technician know, as it can cause a confusing shadow on the skull X-ray.
Your provider may request other specific preparations depending on your medical condition.
What Happens During A Skull X-ray?
A skull X-ray can be performed on an outpatient basis or as part of your hospital stay. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your healthcare provider’s practices.
Generally, a skull X-ray procedure follows this process:
You will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, hairpins, eyeglasses, hearing aids, or other metal objects that could interfere with the procedure.
If you are asked to remove your clothing, you will be given a gown to wear.
You will be positioned on an X-ray table with the part of the skull to be X-rayed carefully placed between the X-ray machine and a cassette containing the X-ray film.
Parts of the body not being imaged may be covered with a lead apron (shield) to avoid exposure to X-rays.
The radiologic technologist will ask you to remain still in a specific position for a few minutes while the X-ray is taken.
If the X-ray is being done to detect an injury, special care will be taken to prevent further injury. For example, if a cervical spine fracture is suspected, a neck brace may be applied.
Some skull X-ray studies may require several different positions. It is extremely important to remain completely still while the X-ray is taken because any movement could distort the image and even require another X-ray to be taken to get a clear view of the area in question.
The X-ray beam will be focused on the area to be imaged.
The radiologic technologist will step behind a protective window while the image is being taken.
While the X-ray procedure itself causes no pain, moving the body part being examined may cause some discomfort or pain, especially in cases of a recent injury or invasive surgery. The radiologic technologist will take all possible comfort measures and complete the procedure as quickly as possible to minimize any discomfort or pain.
What Happens After A Skull X-ray?
Generally, there is no special care required following a skull X-ray. However, your healthcare provider may give you additional instructions depending on your particular situation.
How Much Does It Cost?
Dr. Abdullah Cevahir
Radiologist
Hekimoğlu Imaging and Diagnosis Center