Facial x-ray

A facial or sinus X-ray may be done to:

• Find problems of the sinuses of the face and nose, such as sinusitis or abnormal growths (polyps or tumors).
• Find fractures of the facial bones and nose.
• Check the bones around the eye (orbital cavity).
• Check the sinuses before surgery.
• Check for metal objects around the eyes before a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test.
• Look for the cause of pain in the face.

You will need to remove any jewelry that may be in the way of the X-ray picture. You will also need to remove glasses or dentures. You may be asked to lie on an X-ray table or sit in a chair. Several views (a series) of X-ray pictures are needed for clear pictures of the face. Your head may need to be repositioned for each view. Hold your head completely still while the pictures are being taken. A padded brace, foam pads, a headband, or sandbags may be used to hold your head in place while the pictures are taken.

If pictures of the orbital cavities or sinuses are needed, you will probably sit up while they are taken. A padded brace may be used to hold your head still while the pictures are taken.

In general, there's nothing you have to do before this test, unless your doctor tells you to.

In an emergency, the doctor can see the initial results of a facial X-ray in a few minutes. Otherwise, a radiologist usually has the official X-ray report ready the next day.

Normal:

• The bones of the face and orbital cavity are normal in size and shape.
• No foreign objects or abnormal growths are present.
• No broken bones are present.
• The sinuses are clear. No inflammation or infection is present.

Abnormal:

• Foreign objects, such as fragments of metal or glass, may be present.
• Broken bones, such as the nasal bones or bones around the eye (orbital cavity), may be present.
• Signs of a disease that affects the bones of the face or orbital cavity may be present.
• Abnormal growths (tumors) are present.
• Signs of sinusitis, such as fluid in the sinuses or a thick tissues lining the sinuses, may be present.