Whether you’re feeling under the weather or dealing with an injury, Dr. Rogers Walker and Shelley Gilbert, PA-C, may use medical imaging to get some much-needed answers about your health.
Medical imaging refers to any tests that help our team visualize what’s going on inside your body, and these tests are often the starting point when you don’t feel well or you’re injured. In fact, approximately 3.6 billion diagnostic tests are performed annually worldwide.
At Walker Family Care in Little River, South Carolina, our team utilizes both X-ray and ultrasound imaging to diagnose illnesses, monitor treatment progress, and provide you with accurate, timely care.
Though both offer a way to look inside your body, they work differently and are used for different reasons. Keep reading to learn about a few of those key differences.
Although X-rays and ultrasounds both produce images, they work in different ways.
X-rays work by passing a small amount of radiation through your body, which is absorbed at different rates by various tissues. Denser materials, such as bone, absorb more and appear white in the image, while softer tissues appear in shades of gray.
Traditional X-ray radiography produces static (still) images, and they’re especially helpful for identifying fractures, infections, or abnormalities in the chest and joints.
Diagnostic ultrasound, on the other hand, uses high-frequency sound waves (above what human ears can hear, 20KHz or higher) to create real-time images of soft tissues and organs.
Ultrasounds are often used to assess the heart, liver, kidneys, and reproductive organs, and are commonly used during pregnancy.
Each imaging test reveals different types of information.
X-rays provide detailed images of hard tissues, so they’re ideal for spotting broken bones, lung conditions (including pneumonia), or joint issues. Dr. Walker may also use an X-ray to confirm the presence of foreign objects, such as a coin, if a toddler swallows one.
X-rays are quick and painless, usually completed in just a few minutes.
Ultrasound offers dynamic imaging, which means Dr. Walker can see movement—such as blood flow or a baby’s heartbeat—in real time. It’s also preferred when a radiation-free option is needed.
Dr. Walker offers two types of specialized ultrasounds here at Walker Family Care: specialized carotid ultrasounds and triple-A ultrasounds. Carotid ultrasounds evaluate the carotid arteries in your neck to detect narrowing or blockages that could increase your risk of stroke.
Triple-A ultrasounds screen for abdominal aortic aneurysms—potentially life-threatening enlargements of the main artery in your abdomen—often before any symptoms develop.
Both X-rays and ultrasounds are safe when used appropriately, but they differ in how they expose the body. X-rays involve a low dose of radiation, so Dr. Walker carefully weighs the benefits before ordering one, especially for children or pregnant patients. When an X-ray is necessary, the team uses the lead shielding needed to minimize exposure.
Ultrasounds, by contrast, use sound waves and involve no radiation at all.
The type of imaging you need depends on your symptoms, the area being examined, and what Dr. Walker is trying to diagnose. At Walker Family Care, our team determines the most effective and safest option based on your individual health needs.
To learn more about your imaging options, call our Little River, South Carolina, office at 843-280-8333 or schedule an appointment online today.
