Radiology Essay

One of the biggest advantages of MRI equipment is that it can be used to diagnose medical conditions in the heart, breast, bones, spine, and brain. This is the only imaging equipment, which can be used to diagnose issues, in all the above-mentioned parts of the body. The equipment can be used to identify stroke and blockages in the circulatory system, cardiovascular conditions, tumors, and injuries. There is an excellent return on investment in the MRI because of the variety of uses it has in a clinical setting (Keefer, 2011).

Magnetic resonance imaging has the potential of totally replacing computed tomography. If history was rewritten, and CT invented after MRI, nobody would bother to pursue CT. --Philip Drew (Mattson and Simon, 1996)

MRI provides both anatomic and physiologic information. It is the modality of choice when cartilage, nerves, or organs are of interest. Magnetic resonance imaging does not give off any ionizing radiation. Instead, the magnetic force reacts with the hydrogen in our bodies to show the images. Because of this fact, it is the least harmful to the patient.

Last of the diagnostic imaging tools is the MRI. MRI, which stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, was a technique developed in the 1950?s by Felix Bloch, and is the most versatile, powerful, and sensitive tool in use. The process of MRI was originally called NRI, Nuclear Resonance Imaging, but was found to be to confusing due to the fact that MRI?s don?t use radioactivity and ionizing radiation. The MRI generates a very powerful electromagnetic field, which allows the radiologist to generate thin-section images of any part of the body. Also it can take these images from any direction or angle, and is done without and surgical invasion. Another plus side to the MRI is the time it takes to perform, where as a CAT scan may take 30-60 min. A MRI may only take 15 minutes max. The MRI also creates ?maps? of biochemical compounds within a cross-section of the body. These maps give basic biomedical and anatomical information that provides new knowledge and may allow early diagnosis of many diseases.

A study was done by five attending and four resident radiologists, to compare radiological quality and radiation dose using digital radiography (DR) and conventional screen film (SF) radiography in an abdominal radiography. The study used eleven patients between the ages 18-27 to undergo a Small Bowel Follow-Through (SBFT) examination. The examination included two radiography images. For each examination, one of the radiographs was done using DR equipment and the other was done using SF radiography. In order to create similar viewing conditions the DRs were printed on film. The SF and DR images were acquired under certain scanning conditions, which included a Bucky grid used for both, identical focus size and source to image distance (SID)

Radiology allows people to apply their medical skills through the use of imperative equipment. Nowadays, technology is very advanced and it has been so helpful in the medical field. For example, through the use of x-rays, MRIS, and CAT scans, medical workers are able to have an image of organs that need to be examined without any surgeries. The first time I ever had a CAT scan was when I had a car accident, and I was amazed by the how fast I received my results when they checked for any head traumas. This unfortunate event only pushed me into exploring a career in

Another form of imaging is ultrasound. Ultrasound, which uses very high frequency sound, is directed into the body. And because the tissue interference's reflect sound, doctors are able to produce, by use of a computer, a photograph or moving image on a television. Ultrasound has many application uses on the body, but is more commonly used in examinations of the fetus during pregnancy, because use of radiation may affect the outcome of the baby. Some other practices for ultrasound include examination of the arteries, heart, pancreas, urinary system, ovaries, brain, and spinal cord. And because sound travels well through fluids it is a very useful technique for diagnosing cysts( which are filled with fluid), and fluid filled structures such as the bladder. And since sound is absorbed by air and bone it is impossible to use a ultrasound on bones or lungs.

Radiology is the branch of medicine that uses radiation to diagnose and treat diseases. Radiologists perform and read multiple modalities such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The acquisition of medical imaging is usually carried out by the radiographer or radiologic technologist. Below are a few brief descriptions of each imaging modality: (MITA, 2015) X-Ray- Radiographs are produced by the photons of x-rays passing through a body part to an imaging plate to produce an image. Originally cassettes were used that had crystals imbedded into the film and were processed with chemicals.

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a diagnostic test that uses large magnets, radio frequencies, and a computer to make images of organs and structures within the body. This test outlines the extent of the tumor within the bone and joint and the relationship of the tumor to the muscles, nerves and blood vessels.

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.

Ever since I was a young child, I have been exposed to the medical sector be it through my own experiences at hospitals or through assisting at my parents’ dental practices. This has widened my eyes to the numerous ways that radiology and diagnostic imaging can be used throughout different environments in the world.

Thank you Jinky for your very informative post with regards interventional radiology. Diagnostic imaging is truly valuable to our profession given that we focus on the specificities of the musculoskeletal system and has been a critical component of clinical decision making.

The first couple weeks of school are always the most stressful. They get you thinking about how the semester is going to be and different ways to get you motivated. However, the beginning of this semester is probably one of the most stressful semesters that I have encountered because being a part of the radiography program is a very big achievement. It is a program where I know I will have to be ahead of the game the whole two years, which keeps me on my feet. Throughout this paper I am going to discuss the reasons why I wanted to enter into the program, and the things that I have learned so far along with my short-term and long-term goals.

MRI technology is a useful technique in the medical industry, there are many advantages to its use and for the most part the disadvantages of its use are minimal. They are great because they provide very detailed diagnostic pictures of most of the important organs and tissues in one’s body. They are also capable of showing unique information that other tests are unable to show. They are generally painless. Furthermore, they do not use radiation and are therefore suitable for use in children and pregnant women. Although there are many good attributes to MRI’s, there are still disadvantages to its use. For one, many people are claustrophobic and being in an MRI can become very uncomfortable for them. In addition, the MRI makes a tremendous amount of noise. Often patients are given earplugs or stereo headphones in attempt to muffle the noise.

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.