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X-rays

In 1895 Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered a new kind of radiation that was named after him later on (Roentgen rays, also referred to as X-rays in many languages). Roentgen’s epoch-making discovery was enthusiastically celebrated. X-rays permitted insights into the human body without surgery for the first time ever, thus marking a dramatic progress in medical diagnostics. Nowadays X-ray diagnostics is a widespread and frequently used imaging procedure.

X-ray image of a lung, a stethoscope lies on the imageSource: Pixelot/Stock.adobe.com

X-ray diagnostics – the procedure

In X-ray diagnostics, a difference distinction is made between three techniques: radiography, fluoroscopy and computerized tomography (CT).

A group of doctors having a conversationSource: Robert Kneschke/Stock.adobe.com

Benefit and risk of X-ray diagnostics

X-ray diagnostics is chosen by the doctor when other procedures such as laboratory tests, ultrasound or endoscopy would fail to provide a precise diagnosis. Radiology often is the first procedure to permit or confirm diagnosis or to specify findings.

X-ray record card (Röntgenpass)

X-ray record card (Röntgenpass)

The personal Röntgenpass (X-ray record card) is an important tool to avoid unnecessary duplications of X-ray procedures. It also allows reference to previous X-rays procedures. Therefore the BfS recommends patients to submit the Röntgenpass to the doctor prior to every new X-ray or nuclear medicine examination and to ask for recording of their examination.

Contribution of various examination types in Germany

X-ray diagnostics: Frequency and radiation exposure of the German population

X-ray examinations always involve some, albeit low, radiation risk. Therefore, the number of examinations performed as well as the associated radiation exposure for the German population are regularly assessed. These data are recorded, analysed and evaluated annually to identify trends over time.

Woman during a mammography examinationSource: Peakstock/Stock.adobe.com

The German Mammography Screening Programme

With about 70,000 newly diagnosed cases per year, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer found in women in Germany. In spite of major progress in the field of breast cancer treatment, about 17,000 women die from this disease every year.

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