Question 1

Would a lego show up on an xray?

Accepted Answer

Most plastics are radiolucent which means that they don't block the x-rays very much. Most small lego pieces will pas uneventfully. Choking, pain or vomiting requires immediate evaluation.

Question 2

Would a fetus show up on an xray if you took one?

Accepted Answer

Once fetal bones are formed about 12-14 weeks, can see fetal skeleton on x-ray.

Question 3

Does a fracture show up on an xray after 3 1/2 weeks?

Accepted Answer

Can show up at 3 weeks after not being seen on injury films taken right after trauma depending upon the location and direction of the fracture. In days before bone scans and MRI often fractures were castes to be checked by plain x-ray in several weeks . At times one may be told they have a negative x-ray only to learn that a follow up shows a fracture . This is why injury follow up is so importsnt.

Question 4

Would a tumor in the leg (femur) muscle of a nine year old show up on  an xray?

Accepted Answer

Presence of a soft tissue sarcoma of leg or extremity in a young child presents as a well defined mass.  These arise from  supportive structures such as fibrous tissue, fat, vessel and nerve.  Malignant tumors here are well known  i.e. fibrous tumors  ie fibrosarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma or fibroblastic lesions.  Also lipoSa and malignant schwannoma.  X ray can show tumor but MRI or CAT better.

Question 5

How does spondylolysis show up on an xray long after it has healed?  i had fractures at l1, 2 and 3 in 1985 but my last mri said it showed nothing?

Accepted Answer

Ct scans are better for showing fractures, particularly older fractures. They will show up as areas of increased density or callous on the ct scans and reflect the healing process that most likely occured and has "bridged" the fracture line. Mri scans don't show this as well as they are best for imaging soft tissues rather than boney structures, particularly old healed structures.

Question 6

Can a hip (acetabular) labral tear show up on an xray? had a pelvic xray and left side shows bigger gap where head of femur and hip join. not huge gap

Accepted Answer

To visualize a labral  tear in the hip, you need an arthrogram followed by an MRI.

Question 7

Does a fetus show in an x-ray?

Accepted Answer

A fetus with enough calcium in his bones will show up in a regular x-ray.

Question 8

Does bursitis show up on an x-ray?

Accepted Answer

Bursitis is a focal area of inflammation that sometimes can accumulate fluid producing a lump.  Ifs the inflammation is substantial it may produce finding on the x-ray.  Mri is more sensitive in detecting the inflammation associated with bursitis.

Question 9

Does arthrtits always show up on x-ray?

Accepted Answer

Arthritis implies joint inflammation, which may not be noted on a radiograph (x-ray) until there are joint anatomic changes that can be seen, such as: 1. Joint space narrowing, (from joint cartilage loss); 2. Joint periarticular osteopenia, (from increased blood flow); 3. Osteophytes. Joint arthritis is secondary to 1. Degeneration, (wear ; tear); 2. Autoimmune inflammation; 3. Crystal deposition.

Question 10

Does paget's disease show up on an x-ray?

Accepted Answer

In fact, paget's disease is commonly discovered on xrays done for another reason. It is a disease of abnormally forming bone that most commonly affects the spine, pelvis, femur, sacrum or skull. It can affect one or more of those areas. Often it causes no symptoms. Sometimes it is discovered because of an abnormaly high blood test called an alkaline phosphatatase.

Would a lego show up on an xray