A sinus x-ray is an imaging test that uses electromagnetic energy to visualize your sinuses. Your provider may recommend a sinus x-ray if you have recently had an injury to your nose or sinuses, excess inflammation, infections or bleeding in the sinuses.
What Happens During a Sinus X-Ray?
During a sinus X-ray, your ENT provider will position you in front of an X-ray machine while a radiologic technologist (or X-ray tech) captures images of your sinus cavities. The process is quick, non-intrusive and painless.
While X-rays are generally safe, you should inform your provider if you are pregnant or may be pregnant, as X-rays emit low radiation levels. Following the X-ray, your radiologist or ENT provider will interpret the images to help identify if a sinus issue exists. If they identify a sinus issue, they may perform extra tests to determine the cause.
What Are Some Common Sinus Conditions?
Two common sinus conditions that may necessitate a sinus X-ray include:
- Sinus infection. Sinus infections, or sinusitis, occur when the cavities become inflamed or infected. This condition can be triggered by various factors, including viral, bacterial or fungal infections, allergies or structural issues in the nasal passages. Symptoms of a sinus infection often include facial pain or pressure, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, cough, fatigue and sometimes fever. While many cases of sinusitis resolve on their own with home remedies such as rest, hydration and over-the-counter medications, severe or persistent infections may require medical intervention, including antibiotics or other treatments to alleviate symptoms and address underlying causes.
- Deviated septum. Up to 80% of the general population has some amount of nasal septum deviation, though many cases do not cause symptoms or require treatment. For some, a deviated septum can cause breathing issues, headaches, snoring, congestion, nosebleeds and chronic sinusitis. A badly deviated septum may require a septoplasty, a 30- to 90-minute procedure used to reshape the bone and cartilage.
A sinus X-ray is a quick test to help your ENT specialist address your sinus issues. If you are experiencing sinus-related symptoms, contact ENT Physicians today to make an appointment with one of our specialists.
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