Any radiologists in the house?
- Thread starter Dr.Pecker
- Start date
ElfoodStampo
Well-Known Member
It depends on where the lead blanket/plate with the film is. the exposure is from the radiation source through the bone. so the answer to you question is yes if the xray machine is moved under you and your exposure plate is placed on the top of your leg.
But normally you just turn over and they take a picture from the other side.
TakeTheTicket
Well-Known Member
Oh ok. The only thing I would have done different is usually scoliosis xrays are all standing views. So the frontal views and the side views (Laterals) would all be done standing. The main reason they didn't specifically target the cervical spine (or neck) is because for a scoliosis Thoracic spine xray, you try to include as much of the Cervical spine as possible (but you don't need the WHOLE C-spine). Without seeing your xrays I couldn't tell you if they performed them correctly or not, and I totally understand if you don't want to share them. You could PM me if you'd like, but you won't hurt my feelings if you don't 
EDIT: I'm assuming you requested a CD of your xrays. You can always go back to the hospital or imaging center and request a CD if you're curious to see the pictures.
EDIT: I'm assuming you requested a CD of your xrays. You can always go back to the hospital or imaging center and request a CD if you're curious to see the pictures.
TakeTheTicket
Well-Known Member
I'm curious, when they did the standing pictures, were you facing the xray machine, or facing the board? It can be done either way but facing the board reduces the radiation dose to vital organs, whereas facing the machine gives better quality images.
heckler73
Well-Known Member
I like how you phrased it.
I would've gone the other way:
If facing the board, the image quality is poor. If facing the machine, your nuts get toasty.
Dr.Pecker
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the response. I thought the ones on the table was funny because my back wouldn't be compressed like it would if I were standing. I did mention that something was wrong with my back. every once in a while it blows out so bad I cant stand upright. I have to use an inversion table for about a week to get back in place. My drs didnt even follow up after.
TakeTheTicket
Well-Known Member
Haha
I like how you phrased it.
I would've gone the other way:
If facing the board, the image quality is poor. If facing the machine, your nuts get toasty.
Hopefully they put a lead shield around his lower waist or put one of these between him and the xray machine at lower waist level: 
Dr.Pecker
Well-Known Member
nopeHaha
TakeTheTicket
Well-Known Member
You're welcome. Most doctors won't discuss results over the phone for privacy purposes (among other things). They like to make you come in for another visit to discuss the results so that they can charge you or your insurance again. Some doctors are nice and don't charge for a return visit.
TakeTheTicket
Well-Known Member
That sucks, but you'll most likely be fine. Modern xray machines usually give pretty low doses of radiation compared to older machines, and especially compared to CT machines. In the future always ask them to "shield" you. You shouldn't have to ask, it's part of their job to shield you, but you always gotta look out for yourself
TakeTheTicket
Well-Known Member
You could complain to the manager, but I bet that the xray technician lied about it on their report, and said that they shielded you. It sucks when things like this happen but all you can do is make sure that it never happens again.
I was in the nuclear medicine department once overseeing a patient's lung ventilation/perfusion exam during which they have to breathe in radioactive xenon gas. Long story short the tubing to their face mask broke and the radioactive gas leaked out into the room. I breathed in plenty of that stuff in addition to the daily radiation exposure I receive.
Your risk of testicular cancer is VERY low based on that one incident... but try not to have any kids this year
EDIT: I'm assuming you're a guy. If you're a woman then there's no practical way of shielding the ovaries during a lumbar xray. They could shield them for the C-Spine/T-Spine xrays though.
I was in the nuclear medicine department once overseeing a patient's lung ventilation/perfusion exam during which they have to breathe in radioactive xenon gas. Long story short the tubing to their face mask broke and the radioactive gas leaked out into the room. I breathed in plenty of that stuff in addition to the daily radiation exposure I receive.
Your risk of testicular cancer is VERY low based on that one incident... but try not to have any kids this year
EDIT: I'm assuming you're a guy. If you're a woman then there's no practical way of shielding the ovaries during a lumbar xray. They could shield them for the C-Spine/T-Spine xrays though.
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FranJan
Well-Known Member
AP Lateral and ???. If you do Obliques you have to do 2 more so what's the third Tspine view? It's been a while since I was in school or a working in a hospital.
TakeTheTicket
Well-Known Member
Swimmers view for the top of the T spine. On a lateral t-spine the upper vertebrae are obscured by the shoulders
FranJan
Well-Known Member
I always shield and tightly collimate everyone for a L/S spine unless it's a real sacral problem. Fuck radiologists, they don't give a fuck about people. Just lay a lead sheet horizontally over both the ASIS's and you'll do a lot for most ladies and all the guys. That's 21 years of orthopedic xraying talking so I'm not exactly talking out my ass here. Not bragging, just so you know I do have a clue. And a Swimmers? Doh, should of caught that. Man I only do those on Cspines when needed but I guess if you don't have a filter then there ya go.You could complain to the manager, but I bet that the xray technician lied about it on their report, and said that they shielded you. It sucks when things like this happen but all you can do is make sure that it never happens again.
I was in the nuclear medicine department once overseeing a patient's lung ventilation/perfusion exam during which they have to breathe in radioactive xenon gas. Long story short the tubing to their face mask broke and the radioactive gas leaked out into the room. I breathed in plenty of that stuff in addition to the daily radiation exposure I receive.
Your risk of testicular cancer is VERY low based on that one incident... but try not to have any kids this year
EDIT: I'm assuming you're a guy. If you're a woman then there's no practical way of shielding the ovaries during a lumbar xray. They could shield them for the C-Spine/T-Spine xrays though.
That sucks, but you'll most likely be fine. Modern xray machines usually give pretty low doses of radiation compared to older machines, and especially compared to CT machines. In the future always ask them to "shield" you. You shouldn't have to ask, it's part of their job to shield you, but you always gotta look out for yourself
And Dr. P they're is something called shadow shielding which is a technique that does not require a lead blanket to be placed on the body. You'll see the sheilding on the films if they used it though. Don't worry about cancer and leukemia. If they were truly that dangerous Xrays wouldn't be used. You just can't keep getting them over and over and not expect some problems to arise. And if you're trying to have a kid, shoot a few loads off before trying to inseminate the missus. Safest bet is not to try for a month. At least that's what they told me in my day. Could be different now.