Skull

What you
need to know
about
X-ray images of the skull are taken
when it is necessary to see the cranium,
facial bones or jaw bones. These
examinations often are performed when
a patient has experienced a head injury,
is having head pain or is suspected of
having a sinus infection. Among other
things, x-ray exams of the skull can
show fractures.
Patient Preparation
Before the examination, a radiographer
will explain the procedure and answer any
questions you might have. A radiographer,
also known as a radiologic technologist,
is a skilled medical professional who has
Skull Radiography
received specialized education in radiation
protection, patient care and radiographic
positioning and procedures. As part
of his of her duties, the radiographer
will determine the amount of radiation
necessary to produce a diagnostically
useful image.
The radiographer will ask you to
remove hearing aids, eyeglasses and
dentures as well as earrings, necklaces,
barrettes and hairpins, wigs and hairpieces because metal can interfere with
the interpretation of the x-ray image. Also,
damp hair and tight braids can be seen on
the x-ray image, so you should not wear
your hair this way for the examination.
If you are a woman of childbearing

age, the radiographer will ask the date
of your last menstrual period and if you
could be pregnant. If you are or may be
pregnant, the exam may be delayed or
you will be provided special clothing
to protect the developing baby from
radiation exposure.
During the Examination

X-ray exams of the skull usually take
20 minutes or less. Most likely, you will lie
on an x-ray table during the procedure,
although some exams are performed with
the patient standing or seated.
The radiographer may place sponges
or other supports around your head to
help keep it still. It is important not to
move during the exposure because any
movement will blur the image.
The radiographer may ask you to
turn your head various ways and hold
certain positions briefly so that different
images can be obtained. If any position is
difficult or uncomfortable for you, let the
radiographer know right away.
As with any other radiographic
examination, the radiation that you are
exposed to passes through your body
immediately. If you have questions about
the radiation associated with your exam,
contact your physician.
Post-examination
Information
An x-ray image of the skull.
Once the examination is complete, the

radiographer determines if the images
are technically acceptable and decides
whether additional images are needed.
The images then will be given to a
radiologist, a physician who specializes in
interpreting diagnostic medical images.
After your images have been reviewed
by a radiologist, a report will be sent
to your personal physician. He or she
will discuss the results with you, along
with any additional examinations or
procedures that may be needed.
This patient education page provides general information concerning the radiologic sciences. The ASRT suggests that you consult your physician for specific information
concerning your imaging exam and medical condition. Health care professionals may reproduce these pages for noncommercial educational purposes. Reproduction for
other reasons is subject to ASRT approval.
Copyright 2003 American Society of Radiologic Technologists. For more information, contact the American Society of Radiologic
Technologists, 15000 Central Ave. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123-3909, or visit us online at www.asrt.org. Revised and updated 2009.
Lo que usted
necesita saber
acerca de...
Las imgenes de rayos X del crneo se
toman cuando es necesario ver los senos,
los huesos faciales o de la mandbula.
A menudo estos exmenes se realizan
cuando el paciente padeci lesiones
craneanas, sufre de dolores de cabeza o se
sospecha que tiene una infeccin sinusal.
Entre otras cosas, los exmenes de rayos
X del crneo muestran fracturas.
Preparacin del Paciente

Antes de su examen, un tcnico
radilogo le explicar el procedimiento
y responder a sus preguntas. El tcnico
radilogo, tambin conocido como
tecnlogo radiolgico, es un profesional
mdico altamente capacitado que ha
Radiografia de crneo
realizado estudios en proteccin contra
la radiacin, atencin de pacientes y
posicionamiento y procedimientos
radiogrficos. Como parte de su tarea, el
tcnico radilogo determina la cantidad
de radiacin necesaria para producir una
imagen til para el diagnstico.
El tcnico le pedir que se quite los
audfonos y dentaduras, al igual que
los aros, collares, pasadores y horquillas
porque el metal puede interferir con la
interpretacin de las imgenes de rayos X.
Si es mujer en edad frtil, el tcnico
le preguntar la fecha de su ltima
menstruacin y si es posible que est
embarazada. Si est o puede llegar a
estar embarazada, se pospone el examen
o bien se le provee una prenda especial

para proteger al beb de la exposicin a
la radiacin.
Durante el Examen
Las radiografas de crneo usualmente
toman 20 minutos o menos. Lo ms
probable es que est acostado sobre la
mesa de rayos X, si bien algunos exmenes
se hacen con el paciente sentado.
El tcnico radilogo colocar algunas
esponjas u otros soportes alrededor de
la cabeza para que la mantenga inmvil.
Es importante no moverse durante la
exposicin porque cualquier movimiento
hace que la imagen sea borrosa.
Tambin le pedir que gire la
cabeza en distintas direcciones y que
mantenga ciertas posiciones durante
lapsos breves, de forma tal de obtener
diferentes imgenes. Si alguna posicin
le resulta dificultosa o incmoda,
avsele de inmediato.
Al igual que con otros exmenes
radiogrficos, la radiacin a la que
est expuesto atraviesa el cuerpo
inmediatamente. No estar radioactivo
despus del examen, y posteriormente
no se deben tomar precauciones
especiales.
Informacin de
Pos-examen
Una vez que se completa el examen, el
tcnico radilogo procesa las pelculas de
rayos X, determina si son tcnicamente
aceptables y decide si es necesario tomar
imgenes adicionales. Luego se entregan
las pelculas a un radilogo, que es un
mdico especialista en interpretar las
imgenes mdicas de diagnstico.
Una vez que el radilogo estudie
las imgenes, se enviar un informe a
su mdico personal, quien analizar
con usted los resultados y sugerir los
exmenes o procedimientos adicionales
que pueda necesitar.
Imagen de rayos X del crneo.
Esta pgina educacional del paciente prove informacin general en cuanto a la ciencia radiolgica. ASRT sugiere que usted consulte con su doctor para obtener informacin
especfica concerniente a su examen de imagen y condiciones medicas. Los profesionales del cuidado de la salud pueden reproducir estas pginas para ser usadas sin recibir lucro
econmico. La reproduccin de estos documentos para ser usadas para otros objetivos necesita la autorizacin del ASRT.
Copyright 2003 American Society of Radiologic Technologists. Para ms informacin, contctese con la Sociedad Americana de
Tecnlogos Radiolgicos, 15000 Central Ave. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123-3909, o vistenos en la web electrnica: www.asrt.org.

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What you

If you are a woman of childbearing

During the Examination

An x-ray image of the skull.

Once the examination is complete, the

Preparacin del Paciente

o bien se le provee una prenda especial

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