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Introduction
Radiology is a branch of medicine that mainly deals with imaging of various body parts to study or for diagnostic purposes. Radiologists use various radiological techniques to get the radiological images. The radiology techniques used in viewing the objects mainly involves the use of electromagnetic radiations such as X-rays directed to the specific part of the body being investigated. The imaging technology used by radiologists, can be done using computer tornography, ultra sound, nuclear medicine, magnetic resonance imaging or position emission tornography in the diagnosis or treatment of a disease (Michael ,2004). One of the radiology technologies where this technology is used to diagnose various diseases is in chest, cardiovascular and even musculoskeletal regions. Due to advance in technology, new radiology imaging techniques such as computer tornography, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine have been developed which require the use of modern computer technologies and physics discovers in the imaging and interpretation of the results. Some of the radiology techniques used to give the images can present the images in more that 2 dimensional structures hence enabling radiologists to be able to correctly interpret the results correctly. Other radiology imaging techniques such as nuclear medicine can give the desired and specific information about the particular body organ being studies instead of giving all the information of the parts not required for investigation (Grampp ,2008).
The radiology technology is used in a number of applications including medical fields and other fields to examine the inner structure of objects by use of the x-rays and other radiology penetrating methods, some of the imagining technologies are applied in radiology include; use of fluorescent technology system, ultrasound, magnetic resonance as well as CT scanning and nuclear medicine. One common characteristic with all these imaging techniques is that they have high penetrating resonance. These imaging techniques are discussed below.
To start with fluoroscopy imaging technique or fluoroscopy imaging technique uses X-rays imaging applications in which the fluorescent screen having an image intensifier tube that is connected to an imaging screen.
This imaging technique issued in producing low quality projection image. Fluoroscopy is mainly used in viewing structures in motion and hence is used to guide medical practitioners in diagnosing conditions such as angioplasty or in joint replacement or repair. Radio contrast agents are normally administered to the patient either through injection or swallowed to show the functioning and the movement of the targeted body organ. One of the techniques that use fluorescent imaging technique is called angiography. This imaging technique uses fluoroscopy in viewing cardiovascular body system (Reiser & Kaick, 2007). An iodine based contrast is injected into the patients bloodstream and travels as its being monitored through the vessels. The high light density atoms for example Iodine are applied in the imaging of blood fluids and the body vessels which are less dense tissues by use of Angioscopy florescent imaging system that is in most cases used to spot leaks(aneurysms),blockages (thromboses) and the growth and development of new vessels.
Another area were fluoroscopy imaging technique is used is in the observation of the digestive system. Barium sulfate or gastrografin is used as the radio contract agent since its opaque to X rays. The agents are administered to the patient through swallowing or as an enema. The imaging technique administered in this case shows both positive and negative contrast. The radio contrast agent (barium sulfate) coats the digestive system wall hence a clear outline is seen in the X- ray. A negative contrast is normally achieved by introducing air into the digestive tract which produces black images. One of the popular fluoroscopy imagining technique done on the digestive tract is the barium meal which is used to image the upper digestive tract. Other radio contract positive agents that can be used in fluorescent imaging technique include tin, zirconium, tungsten and cesium. However, some of the radio contract agents use has been prohibited due to their side effects they may cause to the patients. An example of radio contrast agent is the thorium dioxide which leads to liver cancer
Most of the radio contrast agents that are used in fluorescent imaging technique are iodine based. The ionic iodine contrast agents are less than the non ionic iodine contrast agents. Iodine based contrast agents cause allergic responses to most patients especially the ionic iodine contrasts. They also cause hot sensations and flushing. When conducting fluorescent imaging technique using negative contrast agents, the popularly used contrast agents include carbon dioxide and air. In a number of institutions the non-ionic contracts for positive contracts is used since they cause not as much of allergic responses and carbon dioxide as the negative contrast agent since they are easily absorbed.
The images produced by fluorescent radiology imaging technique are normally to dimensional structure images hence this compared to other modern image acquisition radiology technique is does not give very efficient reliable information. However, this technique is still be used together with modern image acquisition techniques such as nuclear medicine to provide accurate information.
Projection radiology
Projection radiology technique involves the use of imaging or creation of images by exposing the body parts to high energy forms of electromagnetic radiation such as X-ray. When the high energy electromagnetic rays are passed through the object, the shadow remnant beam is captured as a latent image. In most cases, this imaging technique also uses fluorescent imaging technique to convert the shadow into light in a fluorescent screen which is then captured on a film. The shadow obtained can also be captured using a phosphor screen to be interpreted using laser techniques.
Projection radiography is used in the imaging of body organ such as bones and lungs. Compared to other radiology imaging techniques its relatively cheaper and has a high diagnostic yield. Depending on the body organ being imaged, the projection radiology uses x rays of different strengths and amounts. Body organs that have hard tissue such as bones mainly use high energy photon usually a tungsten anode that has a high voltage of around 150kVp. High dense tissues such as bones absorb more photons during the imaging technique producing translucent blue images. Less dense organs such as the skins absorb less photon producing a black imagine. Projection radiology was the first imaging technique that was used in the observation of bone fractures or to detect foreign object in the body such as ingested coins and other metallic substances. It still remains the first option of evaluating heart, lungs and bone fractures since its relatively cheap and high reliable. This imaging technique can also be used in the diagnosis of pathological conditions such as osteoarthritis, cancer and other growths such as achondroplasia. When imaging soft tissues using this imaging technique, less penetrating X- ray beam is used (Erlemann & Sciuk ,2007).
Some of the fields where this filed is often used include in dental radiology where radiologists use this technique to view the teeth or gum before taking any action. The imaging technique is also used in mammography to examine breast and other soft tissues such as during breast caner diagnosis. Despite the fact that this radiology acquisition technique is cheap, it can not be used to give all required information required to give a concrete diagnosis of various diseases especially during the early stages of infection. The x-rays used in the imaging procedure can have adverse effects to the patients especially if the procedures are repeatedly done. In addition, this radiology acquisition technique only provides images for a section o the body rather than for the required organ being studied.
Computed tornography
Computed tornography is a radiology imaging technique that uses tornography method that is created by computing processing technology to produce sectional images. This imaging technique uses x-rays together with computing algorithms in developing body images. This imaging technique is used to show detailed body images of various body organs such as muscles, bones, and other body organs. This imaging technique produces images that are more detailed than the normal X-ray produced images. The technique is one of the latest techniques and reduces the exposure rate to radiations. Unlike in normal radiology, imaging techniques where the x rays beam is directed to the body part, and the image captured in a plate behind the body part, The X-ray beam applied in this imaging technique moves in circle round the body part and hence allows the body part to be viewed in different dimensions. Its due to the way the X- ray beams scan the body part that this imaging technique is able to produce a detailed image. After the X-ray scans the body part and produce different dimension images, the information is sent to a computer which interprets the data and produces the results as a 2 dimensional image. Computer tornograpgy radiology imaging procedure can be done using a contrast or without (Paolo, 2001).
Ct scans
Ct scans are done to detect internal body tumors that are not visible on the outer body; they as well detect internal injuries and investigate cases f internal bleeding in patients. When performing CT to any patient its highly advisable to probe if the patient could be allergic to the contrast dye one is using. The technique is conducted by allowing low dosages of X-rays to pass through the patients body for a short period. The X- rays are absorbed by the body systems and detected by a scanner that transfers the information to the computer for data processing. The computer analysis the data and process the same into a form that can be interpreted by a radiologist.
This radiology imaging technique is considered the best for diagnosing urgent conditions such as pulmonary embolism, hemorrhage and aortic dissection. CT imaging technology is one of the areas that radiologists and other medical practitioners are making intense research on so as to produce machines with fast scanning times or with improved resolution and hence increase its accuracy and efficiency (Gian,2003). This enables application of high frequency sound waves to view soft body tissues in the real time by use of ultrasound radiology imagining technique.
The sound waves that are used in this technique have high frequencies usually 2 16 MHz. This radiology imaging technique unlike other techniques does not involve the use of ionizing radiology but produces high quality images. This imaging technique is mainly used in assessing pregnancies, imaging thyroid growth or masses and gallstones. However, ultrasound imaging technique is limited in imaging. This process can be applied in imaging through air such as lungs and bowel loops or even bones
The ultrasound radiology imaging technique produces 3 dimensional images with some modern ones able to produce 4 dimensional images hence making the technique highly efficient and reliable, since this imagining technique does not use ionization rays, it is believed to be a safer radiological procedure
One of the areas where this radiology imaging technique has been used is in the observation of fetal anatomic development. Fetal anatomic development observation is particular of medical importance to mothers having multiple gestations or with chronic diseases. This technique is also used in determining the severalty of cardiovascular diseases such as peripheral vascular dieses. Its also used by the cardiologists to study and valuate heart valves and major vessels especially when diagnosing carotid arteries stenosis. Ultrasound imaging technique is also used in diagnosing trauma, hemorrhage and other medical condition involving other viscera organs such as liver, kidney and the spleen. In most cases, ultrasound imaging techniques is used in collaboration of another radiological procedure since it is limited on its imaging capability (George, 2008). Magnetic resonance imaging technique applies strong magnetic fields to arrange hydrogen protons within the body tissue being observed and evaluated
It then transmits the signals using radio signal which disturbs the rotation of axis of the nuclei hence generation a radio frequency that are collected by a small antennae placed near the region of interest. This radiology imaging technique is able to produce images at corona, axial, and sagital planes with ease. Magnetic resonance imaging technique is mainly used in scanning soft tissues. This imaging technique is mainly used in neuroradiology and musculoskeletal radiology, some of the demerits of applying this method of radiology imaging technique is that it is a loud noise producing procedure and patients have to hold still in such noisy conditions for long periods The radiology technique is able to produce images at shorter examination periods using stronger magnetic field hence producing reliable results. This kind of technique (radiology technique) is in most cases applied in the imaging process of the brain spine and musculoskeletal
Nuclear medicine
Nuclear medicine system uses the radionuclide method in the treatment and diagnosis of a number of body parts whereby radioisotopes are injected in the body.These radio isotope contrast agents emit radioactive radiations that are detected by a scanner which then sends the information to a recorder. The signals received by the recorder usually reflect the tissues that were being studied. The results obtained can be used to determine presence of abnormal masses in different tissues. Short half lives radio isotopes are preferred since they undergo decomposition faster enough before radioactivity processes causes damage to the body. Various parts of the body need specific isotopes that seem to concentrate in the organs.The radio isotopes can also be used by radiologists in the treatment of early stage cancers (Ricci & Kang, 2004).
The imaging is done through the use of gamma rays that are transmitted by the radioactive isotopes from the body. Hence this radiology imaging technique differs from the rest since the gamma rays to provide the diagnostic information are emitted from the body rather from being transmitted to the body like in other radiology imaging techniques. Imaging information given by this technique is more organs specific when compared to information results given by other radiology imaging techniques such as CT scan or MRI which give information about a particular section of the body.
Some of the nuclear medicine imaging technique is capable of producing images of the whole body based on certain cellular receptors. Hence this radiology imaging technique can be used to diagnose condition affecting all body parts such as conducting white blood cell scans. Some of the nuclear medicine information can be applied to other modalities such as MRI and CT using hybrid computers a procedure called imaging fusion. Due to their high efficiency, nuclear medicine imaging technique is used by radiologists to diagnose diseases at early stages of infection. Some of the radiology diagnostic procedures conducted using nuclear medicine imaging technique depending on the principle of observing how the body handles substances differently when it has a disease or pathogen. The radio isotope introduced in the body through injections is normally bound chemically to form a complex with a characteristic feature when within the body (Spencer & Richard ,2007).
Conclusion
In recent days technological body imaging procedures have been discovered most of which do not require the use of a contrast during the radiology procedures. Some of the imagining techniques developed are due to new innovations in physic and computer technology. These modern imaging technologies use small doses of radiology materials hence are believed to cause little harm compared to the traditional radiology imaging techniques. In addition, modern imaging techniques such as CT, nuclear medicine and MRI have multiple detectors hence provide more concrete information than some of the tradition radiology imaging techniques such as projection and fluorescent radiology imaging techniques. Modern radiology image acquisition techniques such as CT and MRI are able to produce the images in more that 2 dimensions hence giving more reliable information (Gay, 2009).
When administering any radiology image acquisition technique to patient that requires administration of contrast agents such as the CT or MRI techniques, its highly advisable to inquire from the patients if there could have any allergic reactions to the agent being administered. One of the ways through which you can know if the patients have an allergic reactions towards that agents is by investing about the normal used substances such as foods which the patients is allergic to. Patients who have allergies against shell fish are allergic to iodine based contrast agents. Contrast agents that are non ionic are cause less allergic responses to most patients that those which are ionic hence most radiologist use non ionic contrast agents when conducting the radiology image acquisition procedures.
Other forms of exposures such as the X-rays should only be performed when necessary because they may have adverse negative effects to the patients on continued exposure. This can cause other body cells to develop abnormalities that can result to rapid cell division resulting to cancer if not controlled. Patients must be well informed on all the forms of radiology techniques available so as make informed choices while seeking treatment for different ailments.
Reference list
Erlemann, R. & Sciuk, J. B. (2007). Response of osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma to preoperative chemotherapy: assessment with dynamic and static MR imaging and skeletal scientigraphy, Publisher. Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore.
Gay, T. (2009). Radiology, Volume 47: publisher, University of Virginia.
Gian, F. (2003). World of the Body. The Oxford Companion to the Body. Publisher, Oxford University Press.
George, B. R. (2008). Diseases of the fetus and newborn: pathology, radiology, and genetics. Publisher, University of Michigan.
Grampp, S. (2008). Radiology of Osteoporosis; Medical radiology, Springer Publishers.
Michael, Y. M. (2004). Basic radiology, Publisher, McGraw-Hill Professional.
Paolo, M. (2001). Understanding cardiac imaging techniques: from basic pathology to image fusion. Volume 332. publisher, OS Press.
Spencer, B. G. & Richard, J. (2007). Radiology Recall, Acquisition of radiological images, publisher, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Reiser, F. & Kaick, V. (2007). Screening and Preventive Diagnosis with Radiological Imaging Medical Radiology-diagnostic Imaging. Schaenberg: Splinger publishers.
Ricci, C. & Kang, Y. S. (2004). Normal age-related patterns of cellular and fatty bone marrow distribution in the axial skeleton: MR imaging study, Publisher.Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore Radiology PAGE 13.
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