Digital vs. Film Radiology

Question 1

What are the two types of digital imaging ?

Answer 1

Phosphor plate.
Solid sensor states.

Question 2

What are the two types of film imaging ?

Answer 2

Direct action.
Indirect action.

Question 3

How does digital imaging work ?

Answer 3

Receptor measures xray intensity in specific areas.
Each area allocated colour of grey - 0-255.
Image displayed in pixels.

Question 4

What is DICOM ?

Answer 4

Software which allows imaging to be transferred, stored, printed, processed and displayed.

Question 5

What is the advantage of DICOM ?

Answer 5

Allows images to be viewed limiting compatibility software issues.

Question 6

What information does DICOM store ?

Answer 6

Patient ID.
Date image was taken.
Image.

Question 7

What is PACS ?

Answer 7

Storage and access medium for images within a healthboard.

Question 8

What is the advantages of PACS ?

Answer 8

Secure.
Allows storage of different imaging types - MRI, CT, radiograph.
Creates an archive for interpretation and reviewing images.
Allows image manipulation.

Question 9

How can visualisation and diagnosis of radiographs be made better on a computer ?

Answer 9

Good light and no glare.
Zooming ability.
SMPTE - assessment of resolution, contrast and brightness of monitor.

Question 10

Explain how phosphor plate imaging works.

Answer 10

Exposure of x-ray beam.
Phosphor crystals excited creating latent image.
Plate scanned by laser.
Energy from laser causes phosphor crystals to emit light.
Scanner detects light and forms image.