medical imaging technologies

Question 1

which is the most common medical imaging technology?

Answer 1

x-ray

Question 2

how does an x-ray work?

Answer 2

radiograph produced when x-ray (high energy radiation) passes through body

Question 3

what are the benefits of an x-ray?

Answer 3

quick
painless
non invasive

Question 4

what are the disadvantages of an x-ray?

Answer 4

can mutate DNA

Question 5

what are x-rays used for?

Answer 5

treat cancer by radiotherapy
diagnose cancer, cardiovascular issues, respiratory issues
detect abnormalities in lungs

Question 6

how does radiotherapy work?

Answer 6

damage DNA, kill cells, prevent cells from multiplying

Question 7

how does CT/CAT scan work?

Answer 7

uses a series of x-rays taken from different angles to form a 3D image

Question 8

what are the benefits of a CT/CAT scan?

Answer 8

quick
painless
detailed

Question 9

what are CT/CAT scans used for?

Answer 9

diagnose cancer, abnormalities in skeletal system, vascular disease
produce images of bone, soft tissue, blood vessels
detect bleeding in the brain

Question 10

how do ultrasounds work?

Answer 10

uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of tissues and organs

• transducer produces sound waves and is placed on skin
• sound waves enter body and are reflected back
• reflection makes an image of the body structure

Question 11

where is ultrasounds not recommended and why?

Answer 11

intestinal areas– gas blurs image

bones– cannot penetrate

Question 12

what are ultrasounds used for?

Answer 12

study soft tissues, organs
study a developing fetus
diagnose heart problems

Question 13

how does an MRI work?

Answer 13

uses magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images

• magnet produces strong magnetic field that interacts with hydrogen atoms in the body
• magnetic field + radio frequencies = computer generated image

Question 14

what are MRIs used for?

Answer 14

images of the structure/function of the brain, heart, liver, soft tissue, inside of bone
diagnose cancer, brain disease, cardiovascular conditions

Question 15

how do radioisotopes work?

Answer 15

uses radioisotopes to provide images of how organs and tissues function

• radioisotope = radioactive form of an element that emits radiation
• radioisotope is attached to a chemical that is absorbed by certain tissues or organs
• as radioisotope emits radiation, a special camera and computer converts radiation into an image

Question 16

what are radioisotopes used for?

Answer 16

diagnose cancer
investigate blood circulation
evaluate disorders in organs
treat disease and cancer

Question 17

how do PET scans work?

Answer 17

type of nuclear medicine– patient is given radioisotope, which emits positrons

Question 18

how are sectional images produced?

Answer 18

PET scan is combined with CT/CAT scan

Question 19

what are PET scans used for?

Answer 19

detect cancer
examine effects of cancer treatments
detect heart disease, brain disorders

Question 20

how do biophotonics work?

Answer 20

uses interactions of light with cells and tissues

• light shines on cells, particles of light are scattered by atoms in the cell molecules
• imaging device records scatter patterns
• abnormal cell molecules create different cell parttern

Question 21

what are biophotonics used for?

Answer 21

treat abnormalities
endoscope used in digestive tract
surgery used to remove gall bladders, repair knees

Question 22

how does fluoroscopy work?

Answer 22

uses a continuous beam of x-rays to produce images

-patient may have to contrast liquid for clear images

Question 23

what is fluoroscopy used for?

Answer 23

movement of organs
study brain, heart blood vessels
diagnose narrowing of arteries, blocked blood vessels