Radiodensity Human Body

I. Ordinary X-rays are used to diagnose many conditions and can be used to see a variety of things in the body,

Because of this, mammography x-ray tubes must be calibrated differently than normal x-ray tubes due to the small differences of linear attenuation coefficients between normal tissue and tumour, shown in Figure 1. Therefore, in order to maximize the diagnosis of abnormalities within the breast, it is essential that the contrast between tissue and tumour within the breast is as high as possible when produced on the x-ray film. One of the ways that this is done is through manipulation of the energy of the x-ray beam. In Figure 1, it can be seen that attenuation differences between fibroglandular and cancerous tissue are highest at very low energies: approximately 10keV to 15keV (Bushberg et al., 2002). Adversely, attenuation differences drop off rapidly at higher Figure 5: Contrast percentage between normal and cancerous tissues within the breast versus energy of the x-ray beam (Bushberg et al., 2002). Figure 5: Contrast percentage between normal and cancerous tissues within the breast versus energy of the x-ray beam (Bushberg et al., 2002). energies: approximately 35keV or greater (Bushberg et al., 2002). Thus, at lower energies, a higher contrast is displayed. Appropriate subject contrast

In nuclear medicine diagnosing techniques, a very small amount of radioactive material is introduced into the body. Because medical isotopes are attracted to specific organs, bones or tissues, the emissions they produce can provide crucial information about a particular type of cancer or disease. Information gathered during a nuclear medicine technique is more comprehensive than other imaging procedures because it describes organ function, not just structure. The result is that many diseases and cancers can be diagnosed much earlier.

X-rays are used to guide tubes or cameras through the body. It is used to look at the heart, lungs, and chest walls. They can also be used to rule out any other conditions that might be causing the weaknesses.

When it comes to medical imaging, there are several different options to choose from for different testing. There are similarities and differences; pros and cons to each. This paper will discuss MRI, CT, and ultrasound. They each have important things to know regarding radiation dose, cost, and reasons to use one over another.

X-rays have numerous different effects on the tissues of the body, depending on the time of exposure and energy of the X-ray photons. Best contrast between different tissues is when the photon energy is about 30 keV, for diagnostic purposes. Resulting in the photoelectric effect dominating at this energy. The tissues absorb X-rays and electrons are released. The X-ray absorption depends on the number of protons in the nuclei of the atoms encountered. A high number will attenuate the beam, producing a strong x-ray shadow, enabling for a high quality image of

The reason why a patient may show a normal chest radiograph is because it is too early to show any signs of pneumonia. The X-ray may only see a congested chest rather than a chest that shows airspace opacity. Also even if the X-ray may show abnormalities the patient can be cured from pneumonia and is left with scar tissue (Knapp, n.d.).

Due to some circumstances being out of our control, whether it is through natural means of toxicity from radiation or unnatural means of radiation, how do we protect ourselves? The Earth is covered in natural background radiation. Terrestrial, cosmic and radon radiation are all a part of our environment. Even if manmade radiation and nuclear radiation didn’t exist, we would still be exposed to toxic, unhealthy sources of biological changing substances. How do our bodies recover from an assault to our immune systems and resume a healthy life from ionizing radiation that can cause cancer? How do we become proactive, and responsible for our own health outcome? Can we eliminate from our bodies unwanted toxins, carcinogens, free radicals, and ionizing substances? Do we have control over our health after a large dose of radiation from a nuclear accident, or treatment from radiation therapy? Evidence shows that we do. Just as there are natural sources of radiation, there are natural ways to cleanse our bodies and use nutrition to detoxify, rejuvenate, and restore health when our immunity has been compromised from natural or unnatural sources of radiation.

→ An X-ray is an imaging test that uses small amounts of radiation to produce pictures of the organs, tissues, and bones of the body. When focused on the chest, it helps to spot abnormalities or diseases in the lungs.

X-rays — or radiography, as it is known in medicine — allow for looking inside a body and identifying everything from broken bones to swallowed objects. The tool is vital to the ability to diagnose and treat injuries.

Radiofrequency energy is a type of electromagnetic radiation. It is currently used in cell phones, and there is some concern in this area because radiofrequency energy has the potential to cause cancer. In cell phones, the radiofrequency energy is emitted from their antennas. The tissues closest to the antenna are able to absorb this energy, and because we generally hold our cell phones in our hands or to our faces, that would mean that radiofrequency energy would be absorbed by our faces or hands. This problem would not be as large if it was not for the fact that the number of cell phone users in just the United States has nearly tripled in the last fourteen years, going from 110 million users to 327.5 million, as estimated by the Cellular

Ionizing radiation exposure is a well known risk factor that is not only unique to ALL but to many other cancers. Fetus exposure to radiation in the early stages of development may increase risk of ALL in the exposed child however the magnitude of the risk is unknown. Ionizing radiation can affect a child at all stages of development from preconception, pregnancy and postnataly. Radiation can come in many forms for example radiation on a fetus can occur via x-ray or CT scan, therefore most physicinas avoid having pregnant women take these diagnostic test under most circumstances (American Cancer Society). There have been studies that suggest paternal ionizing radiaton exposure may also play a role in the risk of ALL in offspring. One such study was conducted in the United Kingdom and examined children living in Sellafield located near a powerplant and fathers working at the

Computed Tomography is more commonly known as a CT scan. This medical instrument uses x-ray radiation, which “combines multiple x-ray images into a 3D model of a region of interest,” (Lucas 1). The various organs in the body absorb x-rays differently. A computer monitors the process of absorption with “30,000 x-ray beams,” (Timberlake 171), that is directed at the organ being scanned, such as, the brain. An x-ray wavelength has two different types, a soft and hard x-ray. A soft x-ray wavelength ranges between “3x10^16 hertz to about 10^18 hertz,” (Lucas 1). On the other hand, hard x-rays range between “10^18 hertz to higher then 10^20 hertz, with a wavelength from 100 pm to about 1 pm,” (Lucas 1). CT scans give doctors specific information about their patient.

Radiology is the process of working and viewing inside the human body without breaking the skin. By using radiant energy, which may take the form of x-rays or other types of radiation, we are able to diagnose and treat many diseases and injuries. Both diagnostic and therapeutic radiology involve the use of

The radiograph, one of the most common diagnostic imaging tools utilized in this field, possesses a very important component called contrast. Contrast helps radiologists perceive image detail and glean information from the area of interest. Radiation Technologists, or Rad-Techs, should always ensure that radiographs have the right amount of contrast so that the radiologist can easily read them for faster diagnosis.