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Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

Radiation exposure
Some people worry that X-rays aren't safe because radiation exposure can cause cell mutations that may lead to cancer. But the amount of radiation you're exposed to during an X-ray is so small that the risk of any damage to cells in your body is extremely low.

However, if you're pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, tell your doctor before having an X-ray. Though the risk of most diagnostic X-rays to an unborn baby is small, your doctor may consider another imaging test, such as ultrasound.

Contrast medium
In some people, the injection of a contrast medium can cause side effects such as:

  • A feeling of warmth or flushing
  • A metallic taste in the mouth
  • Lightheadedness
  • Nausea
  • Itching
  • Hives

Rarely, severe reactions to a contrast medium occur, including:

  • Severe low blood pressure
  • Anaphylactic shock
  • Cardiac arrest
How you prepare Why it's done
References
  1. Introduction: X-ray. In: Mettler FA. Essentials of Radiology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/165146367-3/903135188/1276/6.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-0527-3..50004-4--cesec2_7. Accessed Jan. 3, 2012.
  2. Contrast materials. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/safety/index.cfm?pg=sfty_contrast. Accessed Jan. 12, 2012.
  3. Radiation exposure in X-ray and CT examinations. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/safety/index.cfm?pg=sfty_xray#. Accessed Jan. 3, 2012.
  4. Bone X-ray (radiography). Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=bonerad. Accessed Jan. 3, 2012.
  5. Chest X-ray (chest radiography). Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=chestrad. Accessed Jan. 3, 2012.
  6. Wahl RL. Imaging. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/165146367-5/903277817/1709/26.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06694-8..50025-7--cesec17_487. Accessed Jan. 4, 2012.
  7. Rust G, et al. Pulmonary medicine. In: Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191205553-4/0/1481/0.html#. Accessed Jan. 4, 2012.
  8. Mammography. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=mammo. Accessed Jan. 4, 2012.
  9. Keeping kids still during exams. American Society of Radiologic Technologists. https://www.asrt.org/content/ThePublic/AboutRadiologicProcedures/KeepingKidsStillDuringExams.aspx. Accessed Jan. 4, 2012.
MY00307 Feb. 16, 2012

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