Medical Imaging - Notes

The thicker the object in plain film imaging, the more x-rays absorbed
o Low density material represented as black (e.g. air)
o Very dense material represented as white (e.g. metal)

Types of x-ray film:

o Posteroanterior film obtained with x-ray beam shining onto subjects
posterior, with his/her anterior against the film plate
o Anteroposterior film obtained with x-ray beam shining onto subjects
anterior, with his/her posterior against the film plate
o Lateral film obtained with x-ray beam shining onto the right side of a subject,
with his/her left side against the film plate

To detect deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the sonographer attempts to compress the
veins. If the veins do not collapse due to a clot in the vein, a DVT diagnosis is made
o phasic flow n. occurs when blood moves through vessels at variable
velocities due to respiration (normal)

CT & MRI scans are useful for imaging soft tissue, bones and blood vessels
o CT has white, dense bones; cant see bones in MRI

Bones (high density area) appear white in CT; darker in MRI

Radio waves used in MRI; less ionizing radiation

X-rays used in CT; ionizing radiation present

Areas of high function will appear black in gallium scans; gallium collects in areas of
inflammation

Black spots in thallium scans can indicate abnormalities; thallium gets uptaken by
tumours

PET scans are good for imaging of the spleen, liver & renal cortex

Anatomical imaging:
o Relates to how something looks
o e.g. x-ray, CT, MRI

Functional imaging:
 o Relates to how something works
o e.g. PET

angiography n. radiography of blood/lymph vessels, carried out after injection of a

radiopaque substance (e.g. iodine-containing compound)