Radiography, or X-ray imaging, is a traditional medical imaging method that involves the use of X-rays and makes it possible to see the internal structures of the body with X-rays.
- Radiography can be used to diagnose many different diseases and injuries, such as fractures, lung diseases and cancer.
- Radiography also makes it possible to monitor the progress of diseases and the effects of treatment.
- Radiography is a safe, painless and quick way to examine the internal structures of the body, allowing for a quick diagnosis and initiation of treatment.
- Radiography is to be avoided during pregnancy, especially in the pelvic area.
- You do not need to prepare for radiography in advance, i.e. you can eat and drink normally.
- If possible, take any previous X-ray scans of the area to be examined with you so we can compare them with new scans, if necessary.
- Before radiography, our specialists will explain you how the procedure will go.
- In radiography, the radiographer takes traditional X-rays of the area to be examined, usually from at least two different directions.
- The number of images varies depending on the area to be examined and the reason for imaging.
- The imaging is strictly limited to the area to be examined. It is important not to move at all during radiography.
- Radiography usually takes a few minutes.
Radiography is a safe, painless and quick way to examine the internal structures of the body. Radiography is a quick method that allows for quick diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Radiography also makes it possible to monitor the progress of diseases and the effects of treatment.
Radiography can be used for examining:
- musculoskeletal disorders (e.g. degeneration of bones, joints)
- respiratory diseases (e.g. sinusitis, pneumonia)
- cardiovascular diseases and
- injuries.
Radiography, or X-ray imaging, is a traditional medical imaging method that involves the use of X-rays and makes it possible to see the internal structures of the body with X-rays.
There is no limit to how often you can undergo radiography, but X-rays are never performed without a proper reason due to radiation stress.
Radiography can be used to diagnose many different diseases and injuries, such as musculoskeletal system disorders and diseases of the respiratory system. The need for radiography is always assessed on a case-by-case basis by a doctor. This necessity assessment is called an indication for radiography.
Mehiläinen offers a wide range of radiography studies. In general, all native or basic radiography studies can be used for imaging the basic areas of the body. However, only better-equipped devices allow for special imaging and projections, such as radiography of scoliosis and mechanical axis radiography, as well as radiographic hip projections.
Scoliosis and mechanical axis imaging studies are so-called combination studies, for which several images are taken at once and the machine combines them into a uniform, single image. Mechanical axes are often radiographed in patients undergoing joint replacement surgery. Radiographic hip projection is also related to joint replacement surgery and it requires rotational properties from the radiography equipment. In practice, the radiographic projection involves the customer lying on their back and the X-rays are directed horizontally, parallel to the femur, through the groin towards a detector that records the image.
If you have a doctor's referral for radiography, you can book an appointment of your choice from our appointment booking service.
Most popular radiography studies:
- Foot radiography
- Cervical spine radiography
- Lumbar spine radiography
- Nasal sinus radiography (e.g. sinusitis)
- Knee radiography
- Shoulder radiography
- Lung/thorax radiography
More radiography studies performed at Mehiläinen can be found in our online appointment booking service. Enter “Radiography studies” in the Service or specialist name field of our appointment booking service to select a study suitable for you.
The head, mainly the sinuses, can be radiographed with a native X-ray device. In case of suspected facial fractures, it is recommended to use cone-beam computed tomography (CT) that involves the use of X-rays. When imaging the brain, either a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device or a computed tomography (CT) device that uses X-rays can be used, if necessary.
Radiography is to be avoided during pregnancy, especially in the pelvic area, as ionising radiation can affect the development of the foetus. If necessary, radiography can be performed on pregnant women, but the need for radiography is always assessed on a case-by-case basis.
In general, radiography is a safe, painless and quick way to examine the internal structures of the body.
Radiography usually takes place in the radiography department of a hospital, medical clinic or health centre. A radiographer explains the imaging position and the different stages of the examination to the customer during the study and the customer can be imaged either in a lying or standing position.
The X-rays travel through the body and some of them are stopped in different ways by different tissues of the body. After this, the X-rays are stored in the sensor of the imaging device, from which they are converted into an image. The X-rays used in the study do not remain in the body.
It is usually not necessary to make any specific preparations for radiography. Radiography is always carried out according to a doctor's referral and, if necessary, the patient must bring previous radiography images for comparison. Radiography is painless.
A radiologist usually gives a statement on the radiography on the same day. The statement is immediately visible to the attending physician.
The radiography images and statements can also be seen in the OmaMehiläinen service as soon as the attending physician acknowledges the statement or at the latest 3(–14) days after the examination.
The images can also be provided on a CD.
The price of radiography varies depending on the type of study. The price depends on, for example, the extent of the area examined and the time required for the study.
The prices of radiography studies can be found on our price list page.
- Doctor’s referral
You need a referral from a Mehiläinen doctor or a doctor outside Mehiläinen for radiography to ensure that the correct type of study is carried out. The referral contains information that is important for the study that makes it possible to plan the study individually. It also makes it easier to make treatment decisions and, in addition, the referral allows us to avoid unnecessary additional studies.
If you need a referral, you can book an appointment with a doctor from our online appointment booking service or by calling our customer service at +358 (0)10 414 00. - Book an appointment
If you have a referral from Mehiläinen or another care provider, you can book an appointment from our online appointment booking service or request a radiography appointment by calling +358 (0)10 414 0300.
Enter “Radiography studies” in the Service or specialist name field of the online appointment booking service to select a study suitable for you.