Radiology Notes
Radiology Notes
CHAPTER 18 -RADIOLOGY
Introduction
X ray
X-rays are invisible waves of energy that are produced by an energy source (such as an x-
ray machine or cathode ray tube) and are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
CHARACTERISTICS OF X-RAYS
X-rays pass through the different types of substances in the human body with
varying ease.
Invisibility
This property allows the formation of precise shadow images on the x-ray plate
Scattering of x-rays
Scattering occurs when x-rays come into contact with any material. Greater
scatter occurs with dense objects and less scatter with those substances that are
radiolucent.
Ionization
X-rays have the ability to ionize substances through which they pass.
X-RAY POSITIONING
In order to take the best possible view of the part of the body being radiographed,
the patient, film, and x-ray tube must be positioned in the most favorable alignment
possible.
Some of the x-ray terms describing the position of the x-ray terms describing the
position of the x-ray beams are;
AP view (anteroposterior): in this view, the patient is usually supine (lying on the back),
and the x-ray tube is aimed from above at the anterior of the body with the beam passing
from anterior to posterior.
PA view (posteroanterior): In this view, the patient is upright with his or her back to
the x- ray machine and the film to the chest. The x-ray machine is aimed horizontally at a
distance of about 6feet from the film.
Lateral view: In this view, the x-ray beam passes from one side of the body toward the
opposite side. In taking a right lateral view, the right side of the body is held closely
against the x-ray film and the x-ray beam passes from the left to the right through the
body
Oblique view: In this view, the x-ray tube is positioned at an angle from the perpendicular
plane. Oblique views are used to show regions that would be hidden and superimposed in
routine AP&PA views
LOM Radiology Notes
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LOM Radiology Notes
The following terms are used to describe the position of the patient or part of the body in
the x-ray examination:
CT scanners are highly sensitive in detecting disease in bones and can actually provide
images of internal organs that are impossible to visualize with ordinary x-ray technique.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnetic fields and radiowaves rather than x-
rays. This technique produces sagittal, coronal (frontal), and axial (cross-sectional) images,
the latter being similar to CT scanning. MRI, however, uses no x- rays and does not require
a contrast medium. The technique is based on the fact that the nuclei of some atoms
behave like little magnets when a large magnetic field is applied. The nuclei spin and emit
radio waves that create an image as the nuclei move back to an equilibrium position.
Hydrogen nuclei, present in water and abundant in living tissue, are the nuclei used to
create an image.MRI is useful in detecting edema in the brain, projecting a direct image of
the spinal cord, detecting tumors in the chest and abdomen, and visualizing the
cardiovascular system.
Ultrasound Imaging
move through body tissues and detect interfaces between tissues of different densities.
An echo reflection of the sound waves is formed as the waves hit the various body tissues
and bounce back to the transducer. These ultrasonic echoes are then recorded as a
composite picture of the area of the body over which the instrument has passed. The
record produced by ultrasound is called a sonogram.