For patient safety, patients exceeding the weight limit of 325 lbs. will not be done at London X-Ray Associates.

1. Overview

   Passing small, highly controlled amounts of radiation through the body and capturing the resulting shadows on a digital screen creates an x-ray image. Doctors commonly order sinus x-rays. Skull and facial x-rays are less commonly ordered. All of these examinations take about 10 minutes to complete.

2. Common Reasons for Plain X-rays of the Face, Sinuses or Skull

   Some of the more common reasons why your doctor would order plain x-rays of the face, sinuses or skull include:

   • Headache or facial pain
   • Nasal stuffiness
   • Fever
   • Repeated chest infections
   • Change in voice
   • Head/facial injury
   • Further investigation of bone scan abnormality

3. Who should not have Plain X-rays of the Face, Sinuses or Skull?

   Face, sinus or skull x-rays, and indeed all x-ray examinations, should not be performed on pregnant women except when the information provided by the test is vital to treatment of the patient and there are no suitable alternatives.

4. How do I prepare for the test?

   No preparation is required.

5. Who performs the examination?

   An x-ray technologist (someone trained to take x-ray images) performs the examination.

6. What happens during the examination?

   After registering with the receptionist, you will be taken to an x-ray room where several x-ray pictures will be taken. It is important that no metal (jewelry, zippers, etc.) be in the area being x-rayed. You may be asked to hold your breath during some of the pictures. If you are having x-rays of your sinuses, 4 pictures will be taken. It is customary to take 2 pictures of your skull. 4 - 6 pictures of the face are usually required. You will have to wait while the pictures are checked. A repeat picture is occasionally required.

7. What are the risks of the procedure?

   All x-rays involve receiving a controlled amount of radiation. The risk associated with the radiation received during a single x-ray examination is very small. While the exact likelihood is controversial, there is a very small chance of the radiation contributing to the development of a malignancy many years in the future. The risks involved in everyday activities such as driving a car are far higher. Generally, the risk of not doing the x-ray far outweighs the risk of the small amount of radiation involved.

8. Who interprets the results and how do I get them?

   The results are interpreted by one of our radiologists (a doctor who specializes in reading x-ray and other images and doing procedures requiring imaging). The results are sent to the doctor who ordered the face, sinus or skull x-rays by courier or fax.

   Arrangements to discuss the results of the face, sinus or skull x-ray can be made with the doctor who ordered it.