X-rays of the Skull - An Overview

What Do You Mean By a Skull X-Ray?

An X-ray of the skull is a radio-imaging diagnostic test that produces images of the skull bones. A very minimal amount of radiation is used for this purpose. Skull X-rays are generally used to identify brain disorders such as malignant (metastatic) brain tumors, bacterial infections of the brain, foreign substances, or traumatic bone injuries. CT (computed tomography) scans and MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) are modern radiological techniques commonly used today by mankind. However, skull X-rays remain helpful for someone who suffers from traumatic skull fractures and a few other medical conditions of the skull and brain.

What Is the Basic Principle of a Skull X-Ray?

When the X-ray beams travel through the human body, images are produced on special imaging plates. This is the principle of a skull X-ray wherein denser structures, such as bone, appear radiopaque (white).

What Are the Skull Bones?

The head is formed by a bony structure known as the skull. It is also referred to as the cranium box. It is sub-classified into two main parts:

• Bones of the Cranium: These protect and form the brain's basic structure.

• Bones of the Face: These comprise the face and oral cavity (mouth).

Immovable joints connect all your skull bones except the jawbone (mandible). A movable joint connects the mandible (lower jaw). The cranium comprises eight bones, including an unpaired frontal bone, paired parietal and temporal bones, a small ethmoid bone, a butterfly-shaped sphenoid bone, and the posterior-most occipital bone.

What Are the Clinical Indications of X-rays of the Skull?

The clinical uses for skull X-rays include:

• Fractures of the skull bone (linear skull fractures, depressed, or basilar skull fractures) and fractures of the facial bones (fractures involving the mandible, eye sockets, or nose).

• Congenital malformations of the brain and spinal cord, such as neural tube defects.

• Bacterial or viral Infections such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis.

• Frequent headaches or migraines.

• Intracranial foreign bodies of the skull (penetrating injuries of the brain).

• Metabolic and hormonal disorders of the brain, such as Addison’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome.

• Damage to the inner ear due to occupational loss of hearing from vibrations.

• Allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps.

• Intracranial brain calcifications (benign brain stones).

How Do I Prepare For a Skull X-ray?

Preparing the patient for an X-ray is very easy. You may be asked to remove your clothing from the waist up and wear a hospital gown. All the adorned jewelry, including your necklace and earrings, eyeglasses, and other metal pieces near your head, must be removed, as they can interfere with the clarity of the X-ray.

Also, your healthcare professional must be well-informed about any surgically placed metal plates, artificially placed heart valves, or pacemakers. These might contribute to poor image quality, but your clinician may still opt to proceed with the X-ray. Unlike X-rays, other imaging scans, such as MRIs, may pose a potential risk if you have metal implants. Also, you should inform the technician about your pregnancy beforehand.

What Is the Stepwise Procedure to Perform a Skull X-ray?

Your X-ray will typically be performed in a specialized room. The room has a movable X-ray camera attached to a large metal arm to capture images from different angles. You will either sit in a chair or lie on a table with a drawer beneath it for a skull X-ray. The drawer holds the X-ray film or a sensor to record images digitally. A lead apron will then be placed over your body to protect areas like the genital region and breasts from radiation exposure.

You will lie on your back as the technician directed, but your position will be adjusted to allow the camera to capture both the front and back views. You will have to hold your breath and remain still during the process, which is painless. This procedure typically lasts for half an hour to 45 minutes, after which you can resume your regular activities. Once the X-ray is done, your healthcare professional will give you all the instructions to follow and tell you when you can expect the results.

What Are the Benefits of X-rays of the Skull?

• Skull X-rays may identify traumatic fractures or bone injuries, such as in accidents or falls.

• It may also aid in determining the presence of tumors surrounding the cranium (skull). Abnormal masses may also be identified within your brain.

• It is a non-invasive and convenient technical procedure. You will be at a low risk of radiation exposure.

• Panoramic X-rays can identify dental problems in your oral cavity. These may include mandibular fractures, dental infections, and severe tooth malalignment.

• A skull X-ray is beneficial if someone in your family suffers from craniosynostosis (a congenital abnormality).

• Paget’s disease, a bone disorder, can be better monitored using a skull X-ray.

• Any foreign piece penetrating the skull during a mishappening or an accident can also be detected.

• It is an affordable radio imaging technique compared to CT scans and MRIs.

• You need no special preparation for this procedure.

• It is generally used for the initial diagnosis of bone-related disorders.

What Are the Drawbacks of X-Rays of the Skull?

Skull X-rays are effective for diagnosing bone disorders. However, they cannot detect soft tissues of the brain. Arteries, veins, capillaries, or even nerves are difficult to diagnose using skull X-rays. CT scans and MRIs are better options for such purposes.

Conclusion

X-rays of the skull can be very useful in detecting any brain tumors or bony disorders of the brain. It is a convenient radio imaging procedure with minimal patient preparation and radiation exposure. In other words, it is a very safe procedure if you want to carry out the initial diagnosis of the skull lesions. Brain infections, foreign bodies, and congenital (since birth) defects can also be identified with its help. Consult your expert specialist doctor before undergoing any skull imaging procedure.