Other than broken bones, X-rays are used to help diagnose a wide range of issues including:
- Lung conditions such as pneumonia, collapsed lungs, and lung cancer.
- Infections in various parts of the body.
- Cancer detection and staging in different organs (e.g., breast cancer via mammograms).
- Arthritis and joint changes, including in elderly patients.
- Dental issues like cavities and tooth decay.
- Bone infections and bone density problems like osteoporosis.
- Heart-related problems including congestive heart failure and blood vessel abnormalities (e.g., aortic aneurysm).
- Bowel blockages.
- Foreign object detection within the body.
- Post-surgical checks to verify the placement of wires, leads, and tubes.
Specialized X-ray techniques also exist, such as CT scans for detailed 3D imaging, digital subtraction angiography to visualize blood vessels, and bone densitometry for measuring bone mineral density. X-rays are valuable for diagnosing a wide variety of internal medical conditions beyond just fractures.
