Diagnostic and Imaging Technology/Terminology Flashcards
How is an x-ray created?
radiation beam emitted is scattered or absorbed in diffedrent amounts by different tissues.
what are densities responsible for the shades of black, grey and white produced on the x-ray film?
fat, water, air, and bone.
how does computer radiography work?
Much like an x-ray but uses a laser and a computer to read and store the image of the plate.
how does digital radiography work?
a digital x-ray sensor are used to transmit the image immediately to a computer where it an be viewed on a monitor - no plate required. Its faster and emits a lower dose of radiation. Allows a technician to manipulate the images stored in the computer.
what is a down fall of x-ray imaging (regarding a patient health)
the images are only 2-D, thus multiple angle shots will sometimes be required. Each image creates a dose of radiation.
what is fluroscopy?
imaging tool that allows “real” time view of moving parts of the body. (can be used for dx and tx)
how does fluoroscopy work?
x-ray scanner produces images of the area of interrest that are projected onto a monitor by the use (most often) of contract agents. Great for invasive surgery.
how are contrast agents taken?
they are a substance taken orally or instilled into hollow organs that tolerate well and have low allergic reactions.
give three examples of contrast agents
Barium, iodine and gaolinium-based contrast agents are most common- other available.
what is a con of using contrast agents>
they can cause hypersensitivity reactions- most often cured by taking an antihestimine.
how are contrast agents eliminated from the body?
through waste or urine
what is nuclear medicine?
the use of small amounts of short-live radiative substances that is formulated to be absorbed by targeted tissues.
what are common radionuclides?
radioactive iodine, technetium, thallium, gallium, and indium, though other are available.
how are radionuclides imaged?
though a scanning device or gamma camera which records the distribution of the radioactive material in the target organ. They are then produced as a 3-D data displayed in 2-D.
How can a computer improve radionuclear imaging.
to quantify imaging, into this sliced images. Simmilar to CT scanning. They are useful to study bone, and thyroid and hepatobiliary function, and CAD
what is an ultrasonography?
uses high-frequency sound waves to image soft tissue and produce an image called Ultrasound.
what kind of waves are used to transmit the echos through the patient
sound waves, they are read through the transducer and trasmitting gel.
depending on the tissue how can the waves alter in an US?
they can be scattered, refracted or attenuated.
how are US projected?
the size of the organ is calculated by measuring the time it takes for the waves to travel from the transducer to the reflecting surface being studied and back to the transducer where they are amplified and displayed on a monitor.
explain how fat reflects sound waves.
fat is hyperechoic tissue- which reflects a large number of sound waves
explain how fluid reflects sound waves.
fluid is a hypoechoic (tissue that reflects only a few sound waves) or anechoic (refers to the total absence of reflected sound waves)
name 5 advantages of US over MRI and CT scanning imaging
- differentiate between fluid and solid- filled structures
- low cost
- portability
- accessibility
- no exposure to ionizing agents.
what are 3 limitations to ultrasonography?
- skill level of technician
- image resolution that is not as good as other techniques
- “noise” produced when US waves hit gas and bone.
name the 5 times of US techniques
A-mode, B-mode, M-mode, Gray-scale, real time, and Doppler.
what is the difference between doppler and (a-mode, b-mode, gray-sale and real time)
the group: provides info on size, motion or both. (can be rapid)
doppler: measures velocity and direction of blood flow within heart and Blood vessels by measuring changes in pitch.
what is a duplex scan?
combines both b-mode with doppler US.
CT and CAT are created how?
passing a rotating beam of x-rays into the individual and obtaining thousand of point images at specific depths. the data produces a cross-sectional, 2-D image or program it into 3-D.
what is an advantage of CT or CAT scans, as well as a disadvantage.
produces an image of a much higher resolution, but also exposes an individual to a significantly higher dose of ionizing radiation.
how are spiral or helical scanners better than scanners from before?
they are faster, can have multiple rows, of detectors provide thinner slices, minimize motion artifact and move continuously as the table moves.
how can CT/CAT scans be improved?
oral or instilled contrast medium, intravenous contrast or a radionuclide can be used. it is used to define the size, precise location and extent, of a tumors involment with surrounding tissues. CT can also be sed for image-guided biopsies or treatment.
what are electron beam CT scans? (A.K.A ultrafast CT scans)
use an electron beam that allows such rapid acquisition of images that it can produce images of coronary arteries despite the motion of the heart?
how is an MRI -magnetic resonance imaging- projected?
uses a magnetic field to induce changes in proton spin within tissues. Radio waves are emitted at specific frequencies that make atoms resonate and absorb energy. The tissues then release a weak radio wave that can be measured by a scanner and amplified.
what kind of tissues are seen through MRI?
produces unparalleled pictures of soft-tissue, organs, bone and other internal structures without ionizing radiation.
what is a con of MRI?
because of the strong magnetic pull of the machine- no metal is permitted near the machine.
when is MRI preferred over CT?
when soft tissue resolution is needed. Useful for spinal imaging, brain abnormalities, internal joint derangements and trauma.
how can an MRI, CT, or CAT be improved?
by using contrast agents- to highlight vasculature areas of inflammation and tumors. Gadolinium is a common contrast medium used for MRIs.
what is doppler ultrasonography
used to measure the velocity and direction of blood flow within the heart and blood vessels by measuring changes in pitch.
A duplex scan combines what types of imaging?
B-mode and the doppler US
whats unique about CT (computer tomography) /CAT scans?
rotating beam of x-rays to obtain thousands of point images at specific depths. rs: cross-sectional, 2-D images. You get high resolution imaging with more exposure to radiation.
name two types of CT scanners, and how they work
Spiral and helical scanners, their fast, multiple row detectors, provide thinner slices, minimize motion artifact and move continuously as the table moves.
What is PET?
position emission tomography scans are diagnostic images obtained from the decay of a positron emiting, radionuclide agent.
what is FDG?
its the agent used in PET scans, abnormal tissue and ca-cells, absorb this agent differently than normal tissues, and will show up on the scan in different colours.
what are limitations to PET?
although they can be combined with CT and MRI’s, theyre are limitation.
- cost
- accessibility
- short half-life of agent
- ^ serum glucose or insulin can affect the rs
- limited sensitivity for tumors smaller than 10 mm
- ^ degree of expertise required for proper interpretation.
what is an Angiography, and what is it called when used to image viens and arteries?
An imaging study use to visualize the major blood vessels using contrast material, a needle is inserted, a catheter is then inserted through to target vessel where contrast agent is directly injected.. Veins= venogram, arteries= arteriogram.
what does CTA and MRA stand for?
CTA is computed tomography angiography and MRA is magnetic resonance angiogrpahy
what is CTA and MRA?
its a less invasive, less risky form of angiography. they produce reasonably accurate images of arteries and veins. contrast material is inserted intravenously into a peripheral vessel and the computer produces 2 or 3-d images of the blood vessels.
what is an endoscopy used for?
inspect cavities or hollow organs inside the body. its invasive uses fiberoptic technology and power lens system. it also has a port to inject (air,drugs,fluid), suck, cauterize, biopsy and irrigate.
what is an endoscopy used for?
visualizing polyps, tumors, bleeding sites, inflammation, and erosion, biliary cirrhosis, gallbladder stones, abscess and degenerative disease.
what influences the choice in which imaging test to use?
- condition of the individual
- presenting symptoms
- facilities available
- insurance approval
A PET scan is a valuable tool to:
- identified the extent and speed of certain brain caners, evaluate the efficacy of chemotheraphy and identified recurrent lesions
- dx early alzheimers,
- localize epileptic foci
what is SPECT?
single photon emission computed tomography, used for functional brain imaging. IT uses a gamma camera, computer, and IV radionuclide to look at Blood flow and provide 3D photo. Less sensitive than PET scans for the brain.
what is a spinal tap?
insertion of a needle into subarachnoid space between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae to withdraw CSF for testing. good for haemorrhage, inflammation, sclerosis.
what test is used to dx cerebral spinal fluid problems?
cisternography
sometimes combined with MRI and CT
what test would be used to evaluate fainting, when cardiac testing and seizure evaluation couldn’t provide a dx
a tilt table test
ECG’s measure what in the brain?
records the low voltage electrical activity. Alpha, beta, delta and theta waves influence a persons alertness, and level of consiousness.
what does an EMG measure?
electrical activity of muscle fibres both individually and collectively.
what is used to dx multiple sclerosis?
Visual evoked potentials
what is used to dx deafness?
BAER bransteam auditory evoked response.
what can be used to monitor nerve functions during surgery, (second to MRI)?
SSEP
what is the difference between shave/punch biopsy and excisional biopsy?
- shave/ punch remove small pieces of tissues
2. excisional for large and pigmented lesions.
what test is used to detect diabetic retinopathy, vascular occlusions, leaks, and macular degeneration?
fluorescein angiography.