11/18/2024

Medical
Imaging

Clara McKeever
The Discovery of X-Rays:

- Wilhelm Röntgen, a German

physicist, discovered x-rays on
November 8, 1895.
- He had been experimenting with
cathode rays, when he covered the
glass tube with his hand, William
observed a screen that had been
painted was emitting light.
- Over the next couple of weeks he
investigated the invisible rays that
had been created. During this
Röntgen created the first
radiographic image, his wife’s hand. William Röntgen Anna Bertha
- Ludwig’s (his wife)
He named his creation x-rays
hand
because “x” is the symbol for an
unknown variable.
Source: RedShelf Reader. (n.d.).
https://platform.virdocs.com/read/2237272/2/#/4/2/4[Cov
er]
Radiation Safety:
- Radiation safety is crucial in minimizing the
harmful effects of ionizing radiation.
- One of the main principles for achieving
radiation safety is ALARA, which stands for
“As Low As Reasonably Achievable”.
- The three cardinal principles are, time,
distance, and shielding.
- Time: minimize the time spent near a
radiation source.
- Distance: Doubling the distance between
your body and the radiation source will
divide the radiation exposure by a factor of
four.
- Shielding: Put objects between the body
and the source of radiation.
- ALARA is applied across various fields,
including medical imaging, nuclear power
plants, and research laboratories, to ensure
that radiation levels are kept as low as
possible while still achieving necessary
outcomes.
Source: ALARA. (n.d.). NRC Web.
https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/basic-ref/glossary/ala
 Computed Tomography (CT):
- Computed tomography (CT) is the recording of
a predetermined plane in the body using an x-
ray beam that is measured, recorded, and then
processed by a computer for display on a
monitor
- Unlike traditional X-rays, which produce flat
images, CT scans generate 3D images by
taking multiple X-ray images from different
angles and processing them to form detailed
slices or "cross-sections" of organs, tissues,
and bones.
- CT is widely used in emergency medicine,
oncology, cardiology, and many other fields
because of its speed, precision, and ability to
detect abnormalities that may not be visible
with other imaging methods
- CT involves complex procedure and highly
specialized equipment, which results in a need
for radiographers to be specially trained in this
advanced technology
- Individuals must be ARRT certified in
radiography, nuclear medicine technology (or
NMTCB certified), or radiation therapy
technology
Source: RedShelfand meet(n.d.-b).
Reader. clinical requirements in
order to take the exam to be qualified for CT.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI):

- MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio

waves along with a computer to generate
sectional images of patient anatomy. Like CT,
this advanced technology uses highly
specialized equipment and requires
specialized education.
- Unlike X-ray or CT scans, MRI does not use
ionizing radiation, making it a safer option for
imaging soft tissues, such as the brain,
muscles, and organs.
- MRI is used to diagnose a variety of medical
conditions like, neurological disorders,
cardiovascular diseases, and cancers.
- Patients with certain implants or devices, such
as pacemakers, may not be eligible for MRI
due to the strong magnetic fields involved.
- Individuals must be ARRT certified in
radiography, nuclear medicine technology,
radiation therapy, or sonography and meet
clinical requirements to take the primary
Source: MRI - Mayo Clinic. (n.d.).
magnetic resonance examination.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mri/about/
Nuclear Medicine:

- The branch of radiologic technology that

involves procedures that require the use of
radioactive materials for diagnostic or
therapeutic purposes is nuclear medicine
technology
- Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of
radioactive substances, known as
radiopharmaceuticals, to diagnose and treat
various conditions.
- Radiopharmaceuticals are usually
administered intravenously but can be
administered orally or by inhalation.
Procedures can also be performed on
specimens such as blood or urine.
- Radiopharmaceuticals are also used to
perform positron emission tomography (PET)
procedures. After the injection of a positron-
emitting radioisotope, PET scans create
sectional
Sources: Nuclearimages of (n.d.).
medicine. the body that
National Institute of
demonstrate
Biomedical Imaging andtheBioengineering.
physiologic function of
various organs and systems.
https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topi
cs/nuclear-medicine#
:
Sonography:

- Sonography, also known as ultrasound

imaging, is a non-invasive diagnostic
technique that uses high-frequency
sound waves to create images of the
inside of the body.
- It is commonly used to visualize soft
tissues, organs, and the fetus during
pregnancy.
- The procedure involves a small device
called a transducer, which emits sound
waves and records their echoes as they
bounce off tissues.
- Sonography is a radiation-free method
of imaging.
- To become a sonographer, the candidate
can either complete a diagnostic
medical sonography program or, less
commonly, be prepared on the job.
Source: Understanding Sonography - definition,
Diagnostic Radiology:

- Diagnostic radiology helps health care

providers see structures inside the
body. Doctors that specialize in the
interpretation of these images are
called diagnostic radiologists. Using the
diagnostic images, the radiologist or
other providers can diagnose the cause
of symptoms, monitor how the patient's
body is reacting to treatment, or screen
for different illnesses.
- The field of diagnostic radiology plays
a critical role in early disease detection,
improving patient outcomes through
accurate and timely diagnosis.

Source: Diagnostic Radiology - InsideRadiology.

(2016, October 14). InsideRadiology.
https://www.insideradiology.com.au/diagnostic-
radiology/
Radiation Therapy:
- Radiation therapy is a medical treatment
that uses high doses of ionizing radiation to
target and destroy cancer cells or shrink
tumors. It works by damaging the DNA of
cancerous cells, preventing them from
growing and dividing.
- Radiation therapy can be delivered
externally using a machine that directs
focused beams of radiation at the tumor, or
internally through the use of radioactive
materials.
- It is commonly used as a primary treatment
for certain types of cancer or in conjunction
with surgery or chemotherapy to reduce the
size of tumors and help prevent cancer
recurrence.
- Side effects, such as fatigue, skin irritation,
and potential long-term risks, are possible,
butRadiation
Source: they vary depending
therapy on the
- Mayo Clinic. area being
(n.d.).
treated and the individual patient.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/radiation-
therapy/about/pac-20385162
Mammography:
- Mammography is an X-ray imaging technique
used primarily to screen for and diagnose
breast cancer.
- It involves compressing the breast between
two plates to obtain clear, detailed images of
the breast tissue, which can help detect
abnormalities such as lumps, tumors, or
microcalcifications that may indicate the
presence of cancer.
- Mammography is a key tool in early breast
cancer detection, often identifying tumors
before they can be felt physically, which
significantly increases the chances of
successful treatment. There are two types of
mammography: screening mammography,
which is used in women who have no
symptoms to detect early signs of cancer,
and diagnostic mammography, which is used
when there is a concern or abnormality, such
as a lump or unusual finding in a previous
mammogram.
Source: Mammography in Middle Tennessee. (n.d.).