RADIOLOGYIntroduction to

RADIATION

Potentially harmful ray used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Benefits

Diseases can be detected and diagnosed earlier

Treatment can occur simultaneously while using cameras

Radiation therapy can stop malignant cell growth

Can produce body images on film or a video monitor

Procedures

Produce images that visualize

Bones

Organs

vessels

Via x-rays, sound waves, and magnetic resonance imagining (MRI)

Goals

Produce images of interior body structures for diagnostic purposes

To guide the treatment of injury Treatment of disease

Facilities Hospital Emergency room Nursing units Cardiac catheterization lab Surgery Physician offices Clinics Industry Mobile vans Education

Rapidly Expanding

Knowledge in the visualization of internal body structures

Advancing techniques Development of new equipment

Employee Desirable Characteristics

Warm Compassionate Pleasant personality Ability to work with others Patience Science interest Physical strength Audio, visual, and verbal skills

Radiologist

Physician Interprets x-rays and other diagnostic

tests May specialize in an area of Dx, Tx, or

nuclear medicine Studies the results of each test, comes

to diagnostic conclusions, and sends a report to the ordering physician

Radiologic Technologist

Uses x-rays or a video monitor as an aid to physicians in Dx.

Responsibilities: patient identification

positioning

protecting

adjust exposure

process the film

inspect for quality

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Radioactive compounds Regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory

Commission to protect…

patients

workers

environment

Techniques for storing, handling, transporting, using, and disposing of these materials are strictly mandated to minimize risks associated with radiation.

Sonographer

Sound waves (ultrasound) Noninvasive Safe No x-rays or radioactive materials Specialize in cardiac, vascular, or

abdominal areas

Radiation Therapy Technologist

Patients who have been Dx’d with cancer or other malignancies

Administer radiation as a therapeutic measure

Job growth is on the rise

Types of RadiationX-rays – radioactive rays used to photograph or

treat the inside of the body

Nuclear medicine – specialty that tests with radioactive substances

Ultrasound – uses inaudible sound waves to outline the shape of body organs

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – a noninvasive technique for visualizing internal organs using powerful magnetic fields

X-ray

Involves the use of radiation that penetrates the skin, muscle, organs, and bones

Radiograph – image produced

- Used to diagnose broken bones or the presence of stones in the gallbladder or kidney

- Sometimes a liquid contrast medium is used to visualize soft tissue organs

Fluoroscopy

X-ray like images in motion on a television monitor

When the area that best shows the internal problem is seen, an x-ray is taken.

CT scan

Combines x-ray scanning with high-speed computer

Visualizes cross-sectional views of the body

- sagittal (left/right)

- transverse (top/bottom

- coronal (front/back)

Standard Angiography

Studies arteries and veins A catheter is maneuvered while a contrast

medium is injected into the bloodstream. Contrast medium illuminates to produce

images on x-ray film and a video monitor. As the heart pumps, the picture

continually changes; detects heart attack

Ultrasound

Sound waves No radiation exposure Produces clear, sharp images of all body

parts Adrenal glands, heart, aorta, gallbladder,

kidneys, liver, uterus, pancreas, pelvis, spleen, and blood vessels

Sonographer uses w/expectant mothers and cardiac catheterization

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging Magnetic field No radiation Especially useful in the evaluation and

diagnosis of aneurysms, congenital cardiac abnormalities, brain and spine diseases, and orthopedic conditions

PET scan

Nuclear imaging technique Detects abnormalities of the brain and

nerves Validates effects of drug usage in the

brain Study neuropsychiatric disorders,

cancer, and coronary artery disease

Mammograms

Diagnostic images of the breasts Early detection of any cancer

(approximately 2 years before a lump is felt)

With early detection, over 90% of breast cancers can be successfully treated

Radiology Advancements

Digital machines, computers, and laser printers are being used increasingly in the radiology department.

The latest equipment makes images clearer and faster.