Types of Medical Imagining

Types of Medical Imaging

•           Medical Imagine Techniques in Clinical Medicine

Overview of various aspects and types of medical imagining.

Source: http://waset.org/publications/9999795/medical-imaging-techniques-in-clinical-medicine

•            X-Ray Based

X-ray beams are produced by an X-ray tube and they pass through the body. As it travels it some if its energy is absorbed, process called attenuation of the X-ray beams. A detector is placed on the opposite side of the body capturing the X-rays resulting in an image.  Normally a 2D image is generated except for the case of CT where the source and detector are rotated around the body during during the examination resulting in a 3D image.

Types: Radiography, Computed Tomography, Mammography, Angiography and Fluoroscopy (X-ray + contrast).

CT Diagram: http://www.chemistryexplained.com/Co-Di/CT-Scans.html

•            Molecular Imagining

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) or Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). Radioisotopes are injected into the patients blood stream and are detected by the device.  Their distribution within the body can be viewed.

PET Diagram: http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fonc.2013.00208/full

PET and SPECT comparison in introduction: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1064988/

•            Other

Ultrasound Imaging- uses high frequency sounds waves to create a real time image of tissues, organs or flows.

Magnetic Resonance Imagining

Info- http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/MRI-scan/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Info- http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/146309.php#how_does_an_MRI_scan_work

MRI Diagram - http://www.nature.com/scientificamerican/journal/v299/n5/box/scientificamerican1108-92_BX1.html

Source: - https://www.medicalradiation.com/types-of-medical-imaging/