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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staff
Radiation exposure
You may worry that X-rays aren't safe because high levels of 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, inform 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 whether it's better to wait or to use another imaging test, such as ultrasound.
Contrast medium
In some people, the injection of 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 contract medium occur, including:
- Severe low blood pressure
- Anaphylactic shock
- Cardiac arrest
- 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 Oct. 16, 2009.
- What you need to know about contrast agents. American Society of Radiologic Technologists. https://www.asrt.org/media/pdf/contrast_eng.pdf. Accessed Oct. 16, 2009.
- Safety: Radiation exposure in X-ray examinations. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/safety/index.cfm?pg=sfty_xray. Accessed Oct. 16, 2009.
- Bone X-ray (radiography). Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=bonerad. Accessed Oct. 16, 2009.
- Chest X-ray. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=chestrad. Accessed Oct. 16, 2009.
- 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 Oct. 16, 2009.
- Rust G. Pulmonary medicine. In: Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier: 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/165146367-6/903277817/1481/263.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2467-5..50026-9--cesec20_1081. Accessed Oct. 16, 2009.
- Mammography. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=mammo. Accessed Oct. 16, 2009.
- Keeping kids still during exams. American Society of Radiologic Technologists. https://www.asrt.org/content/ThePublic/AboutRadiologicProcedures/KeepingKidsStillDuringExams.aspx. Accessed Oct. 16, 2009.
