radiology Flashcards
what are different types of imaging used of?
to visualize different tissues and structures in the body
what is medical imaging used for?
-produce diagnostic images of organs and tissues within the body
what are radioactive ions and radiation used for besides imaging?
-also used to treat medical condition such as cancer and hyperthyroidism
What are radiograps used for? what is the level of radiation that this uses?
- used to look for broken bones or cancer (bone look more white because absorb more)
- uses high level of radiation that penetrates through skin and tissue but not through bones (produces a radiograph=x-ray)
- NOTE: most common medical imaging
What does high levels of radiation lead to? and how can you protect yourself from it?
- overexposure can lead to cancer
- lead coverings are used to protect body parts
Describe fluoroscopy?
- uses a continuous beam of x-rays to show movement of organs (stomachs, intestines, heart)
- pts usually has to ingest barium or iodide
What is fluoroscopy used for?
- study blood vessels of the heart and brain (called angiograms) a dye can be injected into the artery in the groin, allowing MDs to see blood flow
- CAN HELP PREVENT HEART ATACKS AND STROKES
Describe ultrasound imaging?What is it mainly used for?
- high frequency sound waves
- a transducer is placed on the skin and produces sound waves that enter the body and reflect back
- used for tissues and soft organs
- most frequently used for developing fetus
why is ultrasound not used on bones and GI tract?
- because the sound cannot penetrated the bones
- the bubbles in the GI tract can distort the image
Does ultrasound use radiation?
no, it uses sound waves
what are other uses of ultrasound?
- used for amniocentesis, the image is used to direct a needle into the amniotic fluid (to detect abnormalities in fetuses)
- used for Dx of heart problems, used in conjunction with EKG (abnormalities of heart or blood vessels)
Describe computer assisted tomography (CAT)?
-uses x-ray equipment to produce 3-D images by taking a series of 2-D pictures from different angles and putting them together to make 3-D
What are CAT scans used for and where?
- Dx of cancer, skeletal abnormalities, vascular diseases
- can be used for imaging bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels
- used in ERs because it is quick and provides detailed information
Does CAT scan use radiation?
yes, a very high dose
Describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)? How does it work?
- uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body
- magnetic field reacts with hydrogen atoms from water in tissues: allows for specialized computer to create images
Where tissues are MRI most used on?
- to look at structures and functions of: brain, liver, soft tissues, and inside of bones
- used for Dx cancers, brain diseases, and cardiovascular conditions
What is the importance of the MRI
one of the biggest break throughs because it is very detailed, doesn’t use radiation but VERY expensive
Describe positron emission tomography (PET)
nuclear medicine that uses radioisotopes that emit particles call positrons
What is the PET scan most commonly used for?
detect cancer in tissues, heart disease and some brain disorders (alzheimer’s disease, ADAD in children)
-uses iodine
Describe nuclear medicine?
- uses radioisotopes (radioactive isotopes) to provide images of how tissues and organs function
- produces radiation and is attached to a chemical that is absorbed by the body
- as the isotopes emits radiation, a special camera and computer detect it and produce an image
What is nuclear medicine used for?
- Dx cancer, investigate blood circulation and evaluate organ disorders
- used for treating some cancers (prostate, thyroid, or breast cancer)
What is radiotherapy? and how does it work?
- the use of x-rays to treat cancers
- x-rays damage the DNA of the cancer cells, either killing them or preventing them from multiplying
- beams of x-rays are directed at the tumor so it doesn’t damage surrounding tissues
- NOTE: used with other methods (chemo and surgery) for Tx of cancer
