Communication: Academic Essay Writing - Essay Plan

Discuss Medical Uses Of X-rays

Introduction
X-rays are used mostly for 2D imaging, but also have other uses
Fluoroscopy/angiography, 3D imaging CT scanning, and Radiotherapy
Basic principles of CT scan operation
What is tomography ? Slice / measure attenuation of X-rays
Good tissue discrimination/ Tomographic reconstruction / Can produce images of inside body...
History of CAT scanner and advances that led to Development
Radon (1917) /Cormack(1960's)/Hounsfield
Early tests/first clinical CT scan (1972)
1970- 1st generation single pencil beam/ translate-rotate
1972 -2nd generation partial fan beam/ translate-rotate
1976- 3rd generation fan beam X-ray source 360o rotating detectors -geometry used on modern
scanners
1979 -4th generation rotate/stationary fixed fan detectors & sweeping source
5th generation EBCT for cardiac imaging
1987 6th generation slip-ring technology for power cables (still used today) No more start-stop
1989 Spiral (helical) from slice-by-slice to true volume. Reconstruction algorithms assume source
following circular path.
1998 7th generation multiple detector array (4 slice scanner) 'slice race'
PET/CT, Dual-source CT, Cone Beam / C-arm
How modern CT scanners operate
CT reconstruction pixels/voxels/Compton scatter/density High contrast CT numbers (Hounsfield
Units) Composite 3D images
Uses of X-rays in radiotherapy
Linac/ Energy/fractionation/Dose
Multi-leaf collimators/isodose curves/Simulation/problems/Benefits
Why need to minimise X-ray dose
Ionising radiation/Biological effects/Cells
Deterministic, stochastic effects / non-somatic (hereditary)
Conclusion
Risk/Benefit/Limit exposure
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