Imaging Flashcards
what does MRI stand for?
magnetic resonance imaging
what does CT stand for?
computed tomography
what does PET stand for?
positron emission tomography
why is image contrast needed in clinical imaging?
to distinguish different tissues from each other, and pathological tissues from normal tissue
how can contrast medium be given?
via GI tract (orally/rectally), via vasculature (IV/IA), into joint (intra-articular), into spine
how do radiographs work?
exploit attenuation of X-rays in tissue to generate contrast between tissues of different densities
what is often used as a contrast medium in GI tract radiographs, what does this help to identify?
barium sulphate, mucosal abnormalities in GI tract
how does an ultrasound work?
transmits high frequency sound waves into tissue, assesses returning signal to generate images of tissue non-invasively
how is the transducer used in ultrasound?
handheld, placed over area of interest
what is gel used for in ultrasound?
used on skin to enhance transmission of signal
why is ultrasound used in children and pregnant individuals?
safe as doesn’t involve ionising radiation
what is ultrasound imaging particularly useful for?
assessing solid organs such as liver and kidneys, assessing female reproductive tract, fetal assessment, detecting fluid accumulation, guiding biopsies, assisting interventional procedures such as drainages
how does CT work?
cross-sectional imaging tool that generates 3D images using a rapidly moving gantry containing an X-ray source and detectors
what contrast is often used in CT?
iodine based contrast agents given intravenously (allows intra-abdominal organs to be assessed)
what is CT used for and why?
widely used to detect range of pathological conditions. rapid, relatively inexpensive, can be used to generate images of whole body and generate images at multiple points to evaluate dynamic changes following administration of contrast medium
small downside of CT?
involves low dose of ionising radiation
what principles is MRI based on?
principles of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and localisation of NMR signal within body
what nucleus is routinely probed in clinical practice for MRI and why?
hydrogen nucleus (proton)- water is most abundant hydrogen containing molecule in body for detection
why is MRI a very versatile tool?
wide range of tissue contrast mechanisms