Digital Imaging and Radiology.pptVIP

Digital Imaging and Radiology Traditional x-rays Use electromagnetic waves to make pictures New imaging techniques use computers to generate pictures of internal body organs Computers can make pictures using mathematical information Newer Technologies Computerized tomography is a diagnostic procedure that uses special x-ray equipment to obtain cross sectional pictures of the body. The CT computer displays these pictures as detailed images of organs, bones, and other tissues. In cancer, CT is used to detect a tumor, provide information about the extent of the disease, help plan treatment, and determine whether the cancer is responding to treatment A CT scan uses slightly more radiation than a chest x-ray, but the benefits generally outweigh the risks During a CT scan, the person lies very still on a table. The table slowly passes through the center of a large x-ray machine. The person might hear whirring sounds during the procedure. People may be asked to hold their breath at times, to prevent blurring of the pictures. Often, a contrast agent, or “dye,” may be given by mouth or injected into a vein before the CT scan is done. The contrast dye can highlight specific areas inside the body, resulting in a clearer picture. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) MR imaging uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor or printed. MRI does not use ionizing radiation (x-rays). In most cases, an MRI exam is safe for patients with metal implants, except for a few types. People with the following implants cannot be scanned and should not enter the MRI area: internal (implanted) defibrillator cochlear (ear) implant clips used on brain aneurysms Positron Emission Tomography A PET scan, unlike a normal X-ray, can detect cancer before organ or gland enlargement occurs. Here a normal