Medical imaging uses a range of technologies to help diagnose and treat disease. These techniques include X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear imaging, and positron emission tomography. Alimentiv has the right medical imaging solutions to meet your clinical needs.
Many of these modalities use ionizing radiation Bastrop Ultrasound, but in low doses, this can actually cause very little damage to the cells in the body.
Table of Contents
X-ray
Medical imaging uses different types of X-rays and other technologies to view parts of the body. They help doctors diagnose and treat injuries, diseases, and other conditions.
X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation similar to visible light, but they have higher energy. Unlike light, they can pass through most objects.
Bones absorb X-rays very efficiently because they contain a high concentration of calcium, which has a very high atomic number. These bone structures appear whiter on a radiograph than soft tissue, which absorbs X-rays less effectively.
In contrast, fat and muscle tissues absorb X-rays less easily than bones do, and they are displayed in shades of gray on an X-ray. Lungs and trapped air also appear clearer on an X-ray because they are lower in density.
X-rays can be used to detect many different things, including cancer. They are safe and effective for most people. However, you should discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor before undergoing an X-ray.
CT Scan
CT scan is a type of medical imaging that creates detailed pictures of organs, bones, and soft tissue. These images are more precise than those created by traditional X-rays and provide better information about a variety of conditions, including cancer, pneumonia, abnormal chest X-rays, bleeding in the brain, and broken bones and vertebrae.
The procedure is usually performed on a patient who lies on a narrow table that slides into a doughnut-shaped machine called a CT scanner. The CT scanner rotates around you, producing images of vital internal structures.
The patient may be given a contrast agent (dye) before the CT scan to help improve the quality of the pictures. The contrast agent is usually swallowed in the form of a drink, passed into your stomach (an enema), or injected into a blood vessel.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce images of the inside of your body. It can be used to examine soft tissues, joints, or organs.
MRIs also help healthcare providers to find and identify certain diseases and conditions that X-ray or CT scans cannot see. For example, cancers such as the prostate and uterine can be difficult to diagnose with an X-ray or CT scan but appear much better on an MRI.
Before undergoing an MRI, your doctor will ask you to remove all metal jewelry and any other objects that could affect the machine. This is particularly important if you have an internal device or implant, such as a heart pacemaker.
Nuclear Imaging
Nuclear medicine uses very small amounts of radioactive material, or radiopharmaceuticals, to examine organ function and structure. These imaging agents are used to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including some types of cancer, heart disease, bone problems, and gastrointestinal, endocrine, and neurological diseases.
During a nuclear medicine scan, a tracer is introduced into your body through an intravenous line (a vein in your arm). It accumulates or attaches to specific tissues or cells and sends gamma rays to the scanner.
Conclusion
These rays are detected by the scanner and are converted to detailed Bastrop medical imaging. These can be in two or three dimensions, and sometimes color is added to give more clarity.
