medical imaging Flashcards
x-rays - definition
A form of electromagnetic
radiation
image obtained by placing
a part of the patient in
front of an X-ray detector
and then illuminating it
with a short X-ray pulse.
Structures that are dense
(such as bone) will block
most of the x-ray particles,
and will appear white.
Structures containing air
will be black, and muscle,
fat, and fluid will appear as
shades of gray.
less useful in imaging soft tissue (brain, muscle)
x-ray - purpose
detection of pathology
of the skeletal system
detecting some
disease processes in soft
tissue
may detect pathology of gallstones or kidney stones
chest x-ray
identify lung diseases such
as pneumonia , lung cancer
or pulmonary edema .
abdominal x-ray
intestinal obstruction, free air, free fluid
x-ray - use examples
Chest X-ray
Abdominal X-ray
Dental radiography for cavities
Imaging of soft tissues such as
bones and muscles
angiography - contrast dye injected into blood vessels to outline them in images and asses them for damage/blockages
CT scan - definition
Computed tomography
(CT scanning) is a medical
imaging modality where
tomographic images or
slices of specific areas of
the body are obtained
from a large series of two-
dimensional X-ray images
taken in different direction.
CT scan purpose
see areas of the
body such as organs,
bones, soft tissue and blood
vessels that cannot be seen
with other imaging
methods.
useful for
doctors trying to diagnose
and plan treatment.
CT scan - uses
infections of
the stomach, kidney and
appendix
inflammation in
the stomach, liver and
pancreas.
It can also identify
any kidney or bladder stones,
show any suspicious
findings for liver, kidney, bladder
and lymphoma cancers.
ultrasound - definition
uses sound waves
ultrasound purpose
no radiation emitted
studies function of organs in real time and can guide medical procedures
inexpensive
taken to critical care paitients in ICU
capturing raw data for URI (tissue characterization + new image processing techniques)
ultrasound - uses
imaging fetus, abdominal
organs, heart, breast, muscles,
tendons, arteries and veins.
less
anatomical detail than
techniques such as CT or MRI,
it has several advantages which
make it ideal
MRI - use + purpose
good contrast
between the soft
tissues of the body
useful in
imaging the brain , muscles , the
heart , and cancers compared
to tomography (CT) or X-rays .
Unlike CT scans or traditional X-
rays, MRI does not use ionizing
radiation .
PET scan - definition
is a nuclear medical imaging
technique that produces a
three-dimensional image
or picture of functional
processes in the body.
PET scan - purpose
allows doctors to see
how certain tissues and
organs within the body are
functioning.
significant difference
between aPETscan and
other imaging tests is the
ability to detect changes in
the body at the cellular level
rather than after a disease
has progressed enough to
actually effect the
surrounding tissue or
organs. APETscan may be
useful for helping to detect
certain types of cancer,
brain disorders, heart
problems, and other
conditions of the central
nervous system.
PET - use
If the biologically active
molecule chosen for PET is
FDG. Use of
this tracer to explore the
possibility of cancer metastasis
