One of the most common and useful medical diagnostic procedures is radiography or X-rays. The term X-ray originated in 1895, when the German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen discovered the technique. Since he was unsure what exactly was producing the image on his plates, he titled his paper "On a New Kind of Rays" and the term “X-rays” was substituted for unknown rays.
The term radiography refers to the use of electromagnetic radiation to produce a visual image on a surface such as a photographic plate or an electronic sensor.
How do X-rays work?
The greatest benefit of X-rays is their ability to penetrate tissues and show internal structures.
Both X-rays and visible light rays are forms of electromagnetic energy carried in waves by photons. X-rays have higher energy and a shorter wavelength than visible light. The energy produced by an X-ray beam is absorbed by many hard materials or by mineralized tissues in the body such as bones and teeth. Soft tissues such as the liver and kidneys absorb some X-rays, while air does not absorb any. Lead will completely absorb all X-rays.
An X-ray machine produces a narrow beam of X-ray photons that can be aimed at a particular object. A special receptor such as an X-ray film cassette, or a digital sensor, is placed beneath the object to "catch" any X-rays that pass through it, thereby creating an image of the object. Areas that absorbed the X-ray photons will be white or unchanged, while areas that allowed the photons to pass through will turn black.
"Areas that absorbed the X-ray photons will be white or unchanged, while areas that allowed the photons to pass through will turn black."
In the case of your cat's leg, the X-rays will be almost fully absorbed by the bones, while the muscles and ligaments will absorb varying amounts of X-rays. The resulting image will be one of white bones, black air surrounding the leg, and various shades of gray representing the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Areas that contain fluid or air will not absorb much, if any, of the X-ray photons and will appear black or dark gray on the image.
Images produced using digital X-ray systems can be easily enhanced or manipulated and, unlike a traditional X-ray machine, there are no environmental contaminants used to develop the X-ray film.
X-rays are potentially harmful and, for that reason, you are not allowed to be present with your cat during the procedure. Radiology personnel wear special protective lead gowns and shields and your pet will have protective covers placed over body parts that are not being radiographed.
What can be seen with an X-ray?
X-rays are most useful for viewing solid tissues and areas of the body that have contrasting tissue densities.
In the chest, the lungs are primarily filled with air and have a soft density, so absorb very few X-rays. The heart muscle is denser, while the bony ribs are hard and extremely dense. The heart silhouette is easily seen on an X-ray, and large blood vessels can be seen within the lungs, since the blood and arterial and venous walls are denser than the surrounding lungs. If fluid accumulates in the lungs (pulmonary edema), it is also readily seen.
In the abdomen, many organs can be distinguished, and foreign bodies or air trapped within the intestines may often be observed. The size and shape of the liver, kidneys, and spleen are often assessed on radiographs. In animals that are extremely obese or that have very little body fat, it can be more difficult to see the various internal organs.
The bones of the spine and limbs are routinely X-rayed and many bone abnormalities can be readily detected. Joints can be challenging to analyze due to the similar soft tissue density of ligaments and tendons. Your veterinarian is most often looking for cavities or abnormal swelling within a joint or for abnormal positioning or orientation of bones.
Dental radiographs are an essential part of determining which teeth are healthy and whether certain teeth need to be extracted. Abnormalities beneath the gums that would otherwise go unnoticed, such as tumors, abscesses, and damage to the tooth roots can be seen on a dental radiograph.
Some areas cannot be properly seen on X-ray, including:
- Inside the skull, because bones of the cranium absorb all X-rays, preventing the brain tissue from being viewed.
- Details of internal structures, such as the inner structure of the heart, the bladder, and other abdominal organs.
- The lungs and many joints are better viewed with computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound (US).
A skilled veterinarian and veterinary radiologist can determine many conditions with the use of X-rays – a relatively simple and inexpensive diagnostic tool.
