Röntgenraums

Röntgenraums, or X-ray rooms, are designated spaces in medical facilities where radiographic imaging is performed. The term derives from Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, who discovered X-rays in 1895. These rooms are designed to allow diagnostic radiography, fluoroscopy, or other X-ray procedures while protecting patients and staff from ionizing radiation.

A key feature of Röntgenraums is shielding. Walls, doors, and sometimes ceilings are lined with lead or equivalent material to limit radiation exposure outside the room. The amount of shielding is tailored to the expected workload and beam energy. A lead-glass window in the door or a dedicated control barrier allows the operator in a separate control room or behind a barrier to monitor the patient. Equipment typically includes an X-ray tube, a patient table or table supports, a shielding cabinet, and a control console. The beam is collimated to the smallest practical field to minimize exposure. Protective gear such as lead aprons, thyroid shields, and gonadal shielding may be available for patients and staff.

Safety and operation are governed by radiation protection practices. Access is restricted during exposures, warning lights and audible signals indicate when X-rays are emitted, and interlocks prevent unauthorized entry. Dosimetry monitoring for staff and routine equipment checks are standard, with the principle of as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) guiding procedures. Regulations and inspection regimes vary by country but generally require licensed equipment, trained personnel, and periodic auditing of shielding integrity and dose records.

Modern Röntgenräume may feature digital radiography or computed radiography, with some rooms dedicated to fluoroscopy. In many facilities, newer imaging modalities require additional or specialized shielding and room design.