Skull x-ray
X-ray - head; X-ray - skull; Skull radiography; Head x-rayA skull x-ray is a picture of the bones surrounding the brain, including the facial bones, the nose, and the sinuses.
x-ray
X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...
How the Test is Performed
You lie on the x-ray table or sit in a chair. Your head may be placed in different positions.
How to Prepare for the Test
Tell the health care provider if you are pregnant or think you are pregnant. Remove all jewelry.
How the Test will Feel
There is little or no discomfort during an x-ray. If there is a head injury, positioning the head may be uncomfortable.
Head injury
A head injury is any trauma to the scalp, skull, or brain. Head injury can be either closed or open (penetrating). A closed head injury means you rec...
Why the Test is Performed
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 performed include:
- Teeth are not aligned properly (malocclusion of teeth)
Malocclusion of teeth
Malocclusion means the teeth are not aligned properly.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Infection of the mastoid bone (mastoiditis)
Mastoiditis
Mastoiditis is an infection of the mastoid bone of the skull. The mastoid bone is located just behind the ear.
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Occupational hearing loss
Occupational hearing loss
Occupational hearing loss is damage to the inner ear from noise or vibrations due to certain types of jobs.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Middle ear infection (otitis media)
Otitis media
Chronic ear infection is fluid, swelling, or an infection behind the eardrum that does not go away or keeps coming back. It causes long-term or perm...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Abnormal bone growth in the middle ear that causes hearing loss (otosclerosis)
Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is an abnormal bone growth in the middle ear that causes hearing loss.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Pituitary tumor
Pituitary tumor
A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland. The pituitary is a small gland at the base of the brain. It regulates the body's ba...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Sinus infection (sinusitis)
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is present when the tissue lining the sinuses become swollen or inflamed. It occurs as the result of an inflammatory reaction or an infect...
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Sometimes skull x-rays are used to screen for foreign bodies that may interfere with other tests, such as an MRI scan.
MRI scan
A head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...
A CT scan of the head is usually preferred to a skull x-ray to evaluate most head injuries or brain disorders. Skull x-rays are rarely used as the main test to diagnose such conditions.
CT scan of the head
A head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.
What Abnormal Results Mean
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).
Increased intracranial pressure
Increased intracranial pressure is a rise in the pressure inside the skull that can result from or cause brain injury.
Risks
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.
References
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. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 2.
Mettler FA Jr. Head and soft tissues of face and neck. In: Mettler FA, ed. Essentials of Radiology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 2.
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X-ray - illustration
X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation that can penetrate the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white, air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray depending on density. X-rays can provide information about obstructions, tumors, and other diseases, especially when coupled with the use of barium and air contrast within the bowel.
X-ray
illustration
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Skull of an adult - illustration
This picture shows a normal skull of an adult.
Skull of an adult
illustration
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X-ray - illustration
X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation that can penetrate the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white, air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray depending on density. X-rays can provide information about obstructions, tumors, and other diseases, especially when coupled with the use of barium and air contrast within the bowel.
X-ray
illustration
-
Skull of an adult - illustration
This picture shows a normal skull of an adult.
Skull of an adult
illustration
Review Date: 11/2/2022
Reviewed By: Evelyn O. Berman, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at University of Rochester, Rochester, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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