The use of X-rays, a form of ionizing radiation, requires the potential risks from a procedure to be carefully balanced with the benefits of the procedure to the patient. Because the patient must be exposed to a continuous source of X-rays instead of a momentary pulse, a<unk>  procedure generally subjects a patient to a higher absorbed dose of radiation than an ordinary (still) radiograph. Only important applications such as health care, bodily safety, food safety, nondestructive testing, and scientific research meet the risk-benefit threshold for use. In the first half of the 20th century, shoe-fitting<unk> s were used in shoe stores, but their use was discontinued because it is no longer considered acceptable to use radiation exposure, however small the dose, for nonessential purposes. Much research has been directed toward reducing radiation exposure, and recent advances in<unk>  technology such as digital image processing and flat panel detectors, have resulted in much lower radiation doses than former procedures.<unk>  burn from long exposure Because<unk>  involves the use of X-rays, a form of ionizing radiation,<unk> c procedures pose a potential for increasing the patient's risk of radiation-induced cancer,in addition to the cancer risk and other stochastic radiation effects, deterministic radiation effects have also been observed ranging from mild erythema, equivalent of a sun burn, to more serious burns. Radiation doses to the patient depend greatly both on the size of the patient and length of the procedure, with typical skin dose rates quoted as 20–50 mGy/min. Exposure times vary depending on the procedure being performed, ranging from minutes to hours. A study of radiation-induced skin injuries was performed in 1994 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) followed by an advisory to minimize further<unk> -induced injuries. The problem of radiation injuries due to<unk>  has been further addressed in review articles in 2000 and 2010. While deterministic radiation effects are a possibility, radiation burns are not typical of standard<unk> c procedures. Most procedures sufficiently long in duration to produce radiation burns are part of necessary life-saving operations. X-ray image intensifiers generally have radiation-reducing systems such as pulsed rather than constant radiation, along with "last image hold", which "freezes" the screen and makes it available for examination without exposing the patient to unnecessary radiation. Image intensifiers have been introduced that increase the brightness of the screen, so that the patient can be exposed to a lower dose of X-rays. Whilst this reduces the risk of ionisation occurring, it does not remove it entirely.
Fluoroscopy
Frozen pelvis
Radiography
Scintigraphy
Palpation
Exploratory surgery
Contrast CT
Volume CT