What are X-rays?
High energy electromagnetic radiation
How are xrays created?
Release of electrons from a superheated tungsten cathode in a vacuum drawn towards tungsten anode at high speed - collision of electrons = heat and xrays
Bremsstrahlung / Braking radiation
Which tissues absorb high proportions of xrays?
Tissues with high atomic nucleus
High beam attenuation (metal)
What are the 3 different types of receptors in X-rays?
Conventional
Digital
Fluoroscopic
Digital receptors substitute a cassette for which 2 types of radiography?
2. Computed
What are the components of fluoroscopic receptors? 5
Input window Input phosphorus plate Photocathode Accelerating anode Output phosphor screen
Factors to decrease exposure?
What does the MRI magnetic field do to the water protons in the body?
Align and synchronise spin
What happens when a RF pulse is applied during an MRI?
Forces the protons to change alignment - tilt 90 degrees - transverse magnetization + synchronises precession
What energy is used to create the MRI image?
Relaxation of the protons - energy released
What is the spinning-top-like spin/ wobble of protons referred to in an MRI?
Precession
What is a T1 image?
Time taken for magnetisation to return to the longitudinal axis after a RF
What is a T2 image?
Time taken for protons to lose TRANSERSE magnetisation
What is a T1 image good for?
Anatomy
Which phase is gadolinium used for T1/T2?
T1
What is a STIR?
Short tau inversion recovery
What is a STIR good for?
Sensitive to abnormal fluid
Tumours and trauma
What is a T2 image good for?
Pathology
Soft tissue
How are ultrasound waves generated?
Electric current through a piezoelectric crystal
What freq are ultrasound waves generated?
3-50MHz
Units used to measure the attenuation coefficient in cT?
Hounsfield units
Xray beam producing a collimated fan shaped X-ray beam that helically rotates around the patient?
CT
How does a bone scintigraphy scan work?
Detects distribution of injected radio labelled tracer in gamma ray sensitive tissues
Indications for bone scintigraphy? 4
Tumour
Infection
Mets
Occult/stress #