Intro to Medical Imagining Flashcards
What is Radiology ?
Branch of medicine concerned with the use of radiant energy or radioactive material in diagnosis and treatment of disease.
What is the difference between a radiology and a radiographer ?
Radiologist:
-Specially trained Dr to interpret diagnostic images and perform ultrasonography
Radiographer: Healthcare professional trained to take X-ray, MRI or CT Scan (if also ultrasound then sonographer)
What is an interventional radiologist ? What are examples of procedures do they undertake ?
Radiologist who specialises in utilising minimally invasive image guided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases. Such procedures include angioplasty, stenting, biopsies (often use needles, catheters or wires).
What is a radiation oncologist ?
Specialist physician using ionising radiation in treatment of cancer.
What are the different kinds of medical imaging ?
- Conventional X-ray
- Computerized Tomography
- Nuclear Medicine
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Ultrasound imaginig
How do x-rays work ?
By focusing beam of high energy electron in x-ray tube onto tungsten target.
What is the name of the image produced by X-Ray ?
Radiograph
How do tissues of high density appear on X-rays ? Why ?
They appear light grey/white because they cause more x-ray beam attenuation.
What are the 5 principle densities on a plain radiograph ?
Black: Air (lungs, bowel)
Dark grey: Fat (subcutaneous tissue layer)
Light grey: Soft Tissues/water (solid organs…)
Off White: Bone
White: Metal/contrast material
How many planes does X ray uses ?
It it best done using 2 planes including joint below and above the area of concerned (usually anteroposterior and lateral radiography in trauma)
What is the difference between lateral, PA and AP radiography ?
Lateral:
-X-ray passes through thorax from side to reach x-ray film adjacent to person’s other side
PA:
- X-rays pass through thorax from back to reach x-ray film anterior to person
- usually performed
AP:
- projection from front
- performed if patient is unwell (and is lying down)
What is a problem with switching from AP to PA or vice versa ?
There is no size standardisation for the heart which may be problematic (apparent heart size is different).
What are some specific kinds of X-ray imaging techniques ?
Mammography
Fluoroscopy
Angiography
What is mammography ?
- Kind of X-ray imaging
- Uses low dose X-ray system designed for detailed images of breasts to detect early breast cancer (no sign of breast disease or diagnose breast disease (with signs of breast disease)
What is fluoroscopy ?
- Kind of X-ray imaging
- X-ray beam passes through body image transmitted to monitor so continuous movement of body part/instrument/agent seen in detail on fluorescent -screen.
- Used when real time examination of patient is necessary
- Uses include positioning of orthopaedic implants in surgery, pacemakers, viewing movement of contrast agents (Barium) etc.