The Use of X-rays for Diagnosis and Therapy
explanatory Essay
1370 words
According to Oxford Dictionaries, an X-ray, also known as a type of radiation is defined as an electromagnetic wave of high energy and very short wavelength (between ultraviolet light and gamma rays), which is able to pass through many materials opaque to light and being absorbed to different degrees by different materials. In medicine, an X-ray is produced by the deceleration of charged particles, especially electrons, or by electron transitions in atoms. An X-ray machine sends these particles through the body. The images are recorded on a computer to produce a radiograph. Structures that are dense will block most of the charged particles and will appear white. A special dye that contains metal or contrast media is used to highlight areas of the body. These areas will also appear white. Structures containing air will be shown as black. Muscle and fat tissues and fluid would be shown as shades of grey.
X-rays were discovered on November 8th, 1895 by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen (1845-1923), who was a Professor at Wuerzburg University in Germany. He noted that it was a new type of ray and that is capable of penetrating most substances casting shadows of solid objects. He also discovered that it can penetrate the tissues of humans but not bones and metal objects. Approximately a month after the announcement of the amazing discovery, Europe and the United States of America made radiographs which were used to guide surgeons. Six months after, it was used to guide battlefield physicians to located bullets in troops. In 1913, high vacuum X-ray tubes designed by Coolidge became available. It further advanced in 1931 with double the amount of voltage for industrial purposes. After the discovery of X-rays in 1895, French scientist Henri Becque...
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MRI. (n.d.). Definition. Retrieved February 6, 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mri/basics/definition/prc-20012903
The Role of Radiology in the Future of Sonography : American Journal of Roentgenology: Vol. 190, No. 4 (AJR). (n.d.). The Role of Radiology in the Future of Sonography : American Journal of Roentgenology: Vol. 190, No. 4 (AJR). Retrieved February 7, 2014, from http://www.ajronline.org/doi/full/10.2214/AJR.07.3791
What Is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)?. (n.d.). WebMD. Retrieved February 8, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri
contrast medium (medicine). (n.d.).Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Retrieved February 8, 2014, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/135400/contrast-medium
In this essay, the author
- Defines an x-ray as an electromagnetic wave of high energy and very short wavelength, which passes through many materials opaque to light and being absorbed to different degrees by different materials.
- Describes how x-rays were discovered in 1895 by wilhelm conrad roentgen, a professor at wuerzburg university in germany.
- Explains how x-rays evolved into radiographs examining a patient to help doctors identify the problem and allow suitable treatment to take effect.
- Explains ultrasound, also known as diagnostic ultrasound or sonography, is an imaging procedure that measures the reflection or transmission of high frequency or ultrasonic waves to determine location, measurement or delineation of deep structures.
- Explains that computed tomography (ct), combines x-ray images from different angles and uses computer to produce cross-sectional images of bones and soft tissues.
- Explains that magnetic resonance imaging (mri) is an examination that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues within the body.
- Describes mammography as the compression of the breast in a specially designed machine that x-rays it at lower levels of radiation to analyze breast tissue for anomalies that may lead to breast cancer.
- Explains that fluoroscopy is an imaging technique used to obtain real-time moving images of the internal structures of a patient through the use of fluoroscopes.
- Explains that the most extensively used opaque medium is barium sulfate, which is swallowed by the patient for examination of his esophagus and stomach. scientists have developed a safer and cost effective nanoparticle-based mri contrast agent for improved diagnosis.
- Explains that general x-ray is also developing, from the dark room automatic processor to the digital system.
- Concludes that the use of x-rays in medical diagnosis has developed and is continuing to develop.
- Explains that magnetic resonance imaging or mri - raymond damadian and paul lauterbur. about.com inventors.
- Explains john j wild's history of ultrasound / ultrasonography. kenney, k. (2009, september 24). the history of mammograms.
- Cites dr. godfrey hounsfield's national center for biotechnology information. clermont radiology llc. medical imaging center.
- Explains the different types of scans, mri, ct, pet/ct, ultrasound, dexa, and x-rays.
- Explains the different types of x-rays and how they can be used.
- Explains that 3d and 4d sonography history and theory can be found in business information, news, and reports.
- Explains the development and evaluation of a new high-sensitivity, region-of-interest, x-ray imaging system for neuro-interventional applications.
- Explains the role of radiology in the future of sonography in american journal of roentgenology.
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- Nuclear Medicine Essayexplanatory essaySince the discovery of X-rays in 1895 by Wilhelm Röntgen, radiology has contributed substantially to the medical field. Today, X-rays are still considered to be one of the most important tools in diagnostic imaging. Further advancements in imaging have combined the use of nuclear science and radiography and is known as nuclear medicine.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that radiology has contributed substantially to the medical field since the discovery of x-rays in 1895 by wilhelm röntgen.
- Explains that nuclear medicine was introduced to the world in 1946 as an "atomic cocktail" and the use of iodine changed from curing cancer to measuring the function of an organ.
- Explains that nuclear medicine is similar to backwards x-rays. patients receive iv’s that contain tracers and different areas produce "hot" and "cold" spots.
- Explains that nuclear medicine physicians rely heavily on the skills possessed by a nuclear medicine technologist. they must combine computer biology, technology, math, chemistry, and radiation in order to conduct studies.
- Opines that nuclear medicine will become the norm as more patients understand the benefits.
664 wordsRead More - Since the beginning of the propitious world, the core aspect that keeps it thriving is the propensity for people to discover innovations; however, progress of the past is, systematically, detrimental to the future. Not long after the revolutionary invention of the X-ray in the late 19th Century, an unprecedented number of medical examiners noticed (unknown to the time) radiation burns all over their body; decades later, an extraordinary surge in cancer cases had arisen. Perhaps, during the course of these years, scientists and researchers desired to further progress the x-ray (into the immense subsidiaries that are here today), and disregarded any flaws in the apparatus. This systematic inclination continues into the present time as Gary Marshall and Shane Keene notes in their 2007 article, “New technologies allow for patients to be overexposed routinely, and also allow for repeats to be taken quickly, making it easier for a technologist to multiply the patients dose without considering the implications” (5). The gaffes of radiology are present not only in the diagnostic setting, but also in the surgical and therapeutic areas. Working with radiation, it is imperative that the staff is aware of mistakes that are potentially fatal not only for patients, but themselves. It is especially important for medical radiologists to be cognizant of pediatric patients. The standard practice of pediatric radiology in the United States is to follow the step-by step formula from which adult patients are treated and diagnosed. There are copious consequences for following this technique since a child naturally has less body mass and a weaker immune and lymphatic system to manage radiation and its adverse effects. Medical radiology, being a...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that progress of the past is, systematically, detrimental to the future. the gaffes of radiology are present not only in the diagnostic setting, but also in surgical and therapeutic areas.
- Explains that diagnostic radiology has evolved into being the foundation of medical institutions across the nation, yet there are greater risks of calamities.
- Explains that a computerized axial tomography (ct) scan provides an in-depth, three-dimensional view of the problem area.
- Recommends using magnetic resonance imaging (mri) as an alternative to pediatric x-rays.
- Explains that interventional radiology is a viable, non-invasive alternative to subcuticular (open-skin) surgery.
- Explains that the highest complication and mortality rate occurs in pediatric patients. the radiation dose limit for all patients including children during any interventional procedure is 70 msv (8 times more than a ct scan).
- Explains that interventional radiology procedures are not limited to the heart. incision sites are filled with bodily fluids due to an increased white-blood cell count.
- Explains that radiation therapy is one of the most important steps in treating cancer as it relieves many miserable symptoms; however, the tremendous side effects increase as patient size decreases.
- Describes three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, which uses a linear accelerator to deliver gamma radiation to the precise spot. the drawbacks of 3d-crt and imrt overshadow the benefits.
- Opines that pediatric radiotherapy may be unnecessary since the average accumulated dose in the course of radiation therapy for children is 20,000 msv. children should attempt to receive as little radiation as possible, but the world needs to know how to accomplish the obstacle.
- Opines that the medical imaging field continues to prove itself as a booming industry, but the burdens of its progressions continue to go unnoticed.
- States that the canadian interventional radiology association conducted a national survey on radiology in canada.
- Explains that during childhood: a cohort study in france. academic search premier.
- Opines that a growing concern." internet journal of radiology 5.2 (2007): 4. academic search premier.
- Opines that for great artery stenosis in children with congenital cardiac disease, cardiology in the young 22.2 (2012): 178-183.
- States that techniques. journal of postgraduate medicine 56.2 (2010): 98-102. academic search premier.
- Explains that canadian association of radiologists journal 64.2 (2013): 85-89. academic search premier. web. 19 nov. 2013.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that x-rays are used in the medical and dental field to take radiographs of certain parts of a person's body. since the rise of concern, studies have been done to find any type of link between cancer and radiation from
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- Explains that radiation therapy is used to destroy cancer cells, shrink tumours, reduce the size of cancer, relieve pain, and kill healthy cells.
- Explains that wilhelm conrad roentgen invented x-rays in 1896, which helped treat cancer. he won the first physics nobel prize in 1901.
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In this essay, the author
- Opines that magnetic resonance imaging has the potential of completely replacing computed tomography. if history was rewritten, and ct invented after mri, nobody would bother pursue ct.
- Explains that magnetic resonance imaging, or mri, is a technique used in medicine for producing images of tissues inside the body.
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