Lucent X Ray Definition

In terms of x ray exams the term lucency is used to describe areas that are more dark less opaque white.

Lucent x ray definition. Radiolucent definition almost entirely transparent to radiation. A lucency on an x ray image represents an area absorbing less radioactive energy than the surrounding tissue. Rā dē ō lū sĕnt relatively penetrable by x rays or other forms of radiation. Many other factors can cause bone lucencies.

Lucency is a word used to report a finding not a diagnosis and it can have different implications depending on what anatomical region the lucency was identified in. Lucent areas appear dark compared to the surrounding area. Today s daily diff concerns lucent bone lesions which are commonly encountered incidentally when evaluating plain x rays especially of long bones sometimes the term lytic is also used to describe these lesions the word lucent implies a non aggressive or benign process while the term lytic implies a more aggressive appearance however some radiologists will either use one of these terms. Joseph accurso on healthtap describes lucencies as areas on an x ray where the bone is less dense which can be a sign of bone lesions.

The university of washington school of medicine explains that one of these major factors is tumors whether benign or malignant. Almost entirely invisible in x ray photographs and under fluoroscopy.