Skull x-ray

You lie on the x-ray table or sit in a chair. Your head may be placed in different positions.

Tell the health care provider if you are pregnant or think you are pregnant. Remove all jewelry.

There is little or no discomfort during an x-ray. If there is a head injury , positioning the head may be uncomfortable.

Your doctor may order this x-ray if you have injured your skull. You may also have this x-ray if you have symptoms or signs of a structural problem inside the skull, such as a tumor or bleeding. A skull x-ray is also used to evaluate an unusually shaped child's head. Other conditions for which the test may be…

Abnormal results may be due to: Fracture Tumor Breakdown (erosion) or calcium loss of the bone Movement of the soft tissues inside the skull A skull x-ray may detect increased intracranial pressure and unusual skull structures that are present at birth (congenital).

There is low radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits. Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks associated with x-rays.

Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Radiography of skull, chest, and cervical spine - diagnostic. In: Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures . 6th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:953-954. Magee DJ, Manske RC. Head and face. In: Magee DJ, ed. Orthopedic Physical Assessment . 7th ed.…