Magnetic resonance imaging: for whom and why

New modern methods of research to help accurately diagnose and plan to establish the correct treatment.

One of the most effective methods is an MRI - magnetic resonance imaging. MRI - it is one of the best and most accurate ways to diagnose pathology in the soft tissues of the body. Yet there are contraindications to undergo this procedure. However, progress does not stand still, and that number every year is getting smaller.

Year of foundation magnetic rezonanskoy tomography in medical circles, is considered to be 1973rd, and this despite the fact that in 1960 the Soviet scholar V. Ivanov proposed a method and apparatus for tomographic method for studying the internal organs and tissues using nuclear magnetic resonance - NMR tomography. As a result, the inventors of MRI officially became Peter Mansfield and Paul Loterbur who received for his contributions to science in the 2003 Nobel Prize in medicine. Apart from these, a significant contribution to the development of MRI has made Damadyan Raymond, who studied the principles of operation and created the first commercial MRI scanner (who also holds a patent on MRI).

By the way, his final title was reserved for an MRI since 1986, after the Chernobyl disaster: then evolved in humans radiophobia made it extremely difficult to use the word "nuclear" in the name of the medical device. But in any case it does not negate the very essence of the method in the staff of MRI radiofrequency coils pick up the special response of the nuclei of hydrogen atoms in the body, in a special combination of electromagnetic waves in a constant magnetic field of high tension. Unlike computed tomography and conventional X-rays, MRI uses no ionizing radiation, which can lead to the formation of free radicals, causing massive loss of cells.
Why use MRI?

Magnetic resonance imaging is mainly used for the diagnosis of changes in soft tissues. In addition, this research method to visualize the brain and spinal cord and other internal organs with the highest quality, inaccessible to X-ray, ultrasound or CT scan. MRI plays an important role in early detection, diagnosis and treatment of common diseases and conditions such as cancer, neurological disorders or injuries of the locomotor apparatus. The most common use of MRI - to examine the spine and central nervous system. The method allows to accurately assess the structure of the bodies, identify disease, tumors, traumatic changes, and so on. In addition, MRI is widely used in Angiology, oncology, urology and other fields of medicine.

Head of the laboratory of social and economic risk analysis HNIZ, Chairman of the Working Group of Cardiology of young Russian Scientific Society of Cardiologists End AV said that an MRI - is a modern high-tech diagnostic method, which allows you to look inside the human body and identify a range of diseases, including cancer. Most importantly, this method can be applied at the earliest stages of the disease when treatment is effective.

In addition to the study of internal organs and soft tissues, this method allows non-invasive diagnosis - that is, without intervention - to investigate organ function: measure the speed of current of cerebrospinal fluid, blood flow, determine the level of Diffusion in the tissues, to track the activation of the cerebral cortex, and much more. It turns out that for one MRI can clarify several aspects of human health. During the passage of an MRI patient in a horizontal position is placed in a narrow tunnel (pipe) with a strong magnetic field for about 15-20 minutes, depending on the type of research. The patient must maintain complete immobility of the body parts which are subject to inspection.

The procedure is painless, but is accompanied by a loud noise, to reduce the discomfort that patients are often offered headphones. By the way, in order to pass magnetic resonance imaging, the patient does not need special training. He can continue to use any drugs, do not limit themselves in eating and drinking, as well as other medical procedures take place. Only the examination of the pelvic organs to take care of filling the bladder. But before examining the head, women's better not to apply make-up, as the shadow, mascara and other cosmetics may interfere with obtaining high-quality images, and thereby reduce the accuracy of the procedure. In addition, the patient is important to provide all the previous data on the ultrasound and MRI studies - then the specialist will be easy to trace the dynamics of change.

Contraindications for using MRI

But, unfortunately, not all patients can use this method of diagnosis, since there are a number of absolute and relative contraindications. For example, a completely non-pass magnetic resonance imaging in the presence of the established pacemaker, metal implants and various metal fragments in the body. At the same time relative contraindications are insulin pumps, nerve stimulators, various non-ferromagnetic implants and prostheses, pregnancy, claustrophobia and the need for physiological monitoring.

If we talk about patients with pacemakers, the MRI would be very useful for them in terms of studying the state. On doctors' estimates, about 50-75% of patients worldwide were living with implanted pacemakers, one way or another in need of an MRI scan during the lifetime of the device. Thus in 2010 appeared the first and only worldwide pacemaker manufactured by Medtronic with a unique technology that allows the passage of magnetic resonance imaging. This was achieved through the modification and improvement of the internal circuitry system and reduce the number of ferromagnetic components. To date, the new pacemaker can already run a full examination by MRI more than 13 000 patients worldwide, and in June 2011 announced the release of this system is pacing the Russian market.

With regard to pregnant women, to date, experts gathered insufficient evidence that MRI is completely safe for the fetus. But, doctors say, is preferable to MRI imaging and computed tomography, and yields more information than by ultrasound. In addition, the relative restriction to the passage of magnetic resonance imaging may be the presence of tattoos, made with pigments containing metal compounds, including compounds based on titanium (eg titanium dioxide), though in itself is not ferromagnetic titanium and virtually safe MRI.

There is also a psychological problem due to the fact that the procedure takes place in a narrow space, people with even a mild form of claustrophobia, may experience severe discomfort. However, today there is less bulky machines MRI with a wider aperture, and the time of the procedure is reduced. Also, there are open sets and apparatus in which a patient can undergo research standing. But, experts say, the quality of the results obtained is inferior to traditional methods. So, sometimes for the full and effective investigation used a local or full anesthesia, especially for infants and young children who can not remain immobile during the procedure.

What Does CT Software Do?

By Kathryn Dawson

Computed Tomography Scan, or a CT scan creates 3D images by processing many 2D X-ray images. This type of scan (or modality) is another method of scanning the body to help see problems, abnormalities and poor health for diagnosis and treatment. It is also sometimes known as a CAT scan. It is a simple and straightforward scan that is non-invasive and can therefore be delivered on an outpatient basis. In more detail, it involves the capturing of a series of X-ray views taken from many different angles within the body to produce many different images of the cross section of the bones and soft tissue in the body. It goes much further than an X-ray can by providing in-depth pictures of the organs, tissue, blood vessels and bones in the body. The 2D cross sectional images provided are then subjected to further processing by the software to provide clear 3D images for analysis. 

In a typical X-ray process, the body is subjected to a small dose of radiation, some of which gets absorbed by the body and then projected onto photographic film. In a CT scan however, many X-ray beams are exposed to the body, and X-ray detectors are used to measure the amount of radiation being absorbed. The person within the scanner will have the X-ray beam rotate around their body so it follows a spiral path. The multiple images taken of the body from this examination are then processed by specialist software to produce a 3D image of the body's interior. This image will then be processed by a radiologist and passed on to the relevant physician or group of physicians for further action and treatment of the patient. 

CT scans are often called upon for quick examination of a patient who has been in a serious accident where injuries could well be internal. Car accidents or other serious traumas for example can often result in internal bleeding or swelling in the brain that won't be immediately obvious and will need a CT scan to diagnose. It is possible for doctors to closely examine the brain using a computed topographical scan so any abnormalities or even very slight problems can be detected. Further to examining the brain, a CT scan is also ideal for revealing muscle and bone disorders including breaks and fractures, internal bleeding and other serious internal injuries, cancerous tumors, infections and blood clots as well as heart disease and other serious illnesses. CT scans can even be an assistance during surgeries, biopsies or radiation therapy treatment by working as a guide. 

The technology with regard to CT scans and software has progressed over the years and now this form of scanning is one of the most effective and efficient ways of examining the body from the inside, enabling doctors to see various cancers, abnormalities and internal health problems. Many serious illnesses and conditions do not have external symptoms for a long time, so CT scans enable them to be caught and treated much earlier than they otherwise would be. Medical imaging such as these types of scans make correct diagnosis easier for doctors too as the clear images provided leave little room for doubt when diagnosing an illness. 

CT software plays a crucial part in the field of medicine. Without being able to see the interior of the body a whole host of illnesses and problems would go undiagnosed. Doctors across many different fields use medical imaging solutions such as CT scans regularly and are often the basis of diagnosis of diagnosis of cancers and problems in the brain. A radiologist will initially process the information of a CT scan and will pass the information on to the physician treating the patient. In very interesting cases the data will be reviewed during a tumor board presentation for further action and treatment of the patient involved. There is more chance of successful treatment when an early diagnosis is made.

Over 4,000 unreported x-rays at Tullamore hospital

A NATIONAL Radiology Survey has revealed that over 4,000 x-rays went unreported at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore between 2009 and 2010. 2,905 index fracture and orthopaedic studies x-rays were unreported in 2009 and 1,129 in 2010.
Dr Maurice Hayes was commissioned by the HSE to investigate the accumulation of unreported x-rays in Tallaght Hospital and concerned with establishing if this was an issue in other HSE funded hospitals, a National Radiology Survey was undertaken. Work on the survey, to identify any radiology backlogs and to report on their resolution, was carried out between March 10 and November 4 last.

Out of a total annual workload of more than 2.5 million examinations each year across all hospitals, the total number of investigations returned as unreported by a radiologist was 33,914. This represented less than 0.5% of all activity over the period (2008 – present).

Remedial actions were taken in all hospitals that reported non-compliance and there were no instances of adverse event (patient harm) reported to the HSE as a consequence of backlogs. This is in keeping with the initial assessment that the practices in place, while informal, were in practice appropriately identifying certain investigations as low risk and appropriate for reviewing by clinicians other than radiologists.

In one site an adverse event was reported relating to an instance of delayed cancer diagnosis due to an unreported x-ray. This had been noted prior to the national survey. This case has been investigated and fully communicated to the patient.

In a statement, the HSE said it is implementing the recommendations of Dr Maurice Hayes' report, adding, "These measures will drive improvements in the quality of service and will help to prevent the recurrence of further backlogs of unreported radiology.

"The lessons learned from the Hayes report and the national audit will contribute to improvements across the hospital system. The roll out of the National Integrated Medical Information System (NIMIS) will further strengthening radiology services, quality and processes within our health system."

X ray technician jobs - Where can i get good paying jobs?

The particular progress around X-ray also led to the development of Mammography, Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Cat Scanning. X-Ray specialist program has different fields and in addition furthermore the basic methods are same for all of the fields.


For the people who are willing to become known as an X-Ray tech should have outstanding communication skills and also they possess to adjust to each and every state. Also they should work with the patients by following the safety steps and also they have to preserve these people from unnecessary radiations.

An average X-Ray tech course demands almost 2 to 4 years and these additionally depends upon the degree specifically picked. To become a specialist in MRI as well as CT scans one would need a Bachelor's diploma. Most of the people generally prefer the only two year program but nursing homes normally like those who have achieved the four year Bachelor's degree.

In the earlier yrs x-rays were definitely undertaken only in the private hospitals and additionally subsequently things have been recently changed as a result most of the medical professionals are usually making use of it in their offices. For this top reasons the demand for X-Ray technician profession have been increased to a massive extent.

After completing the degree the next step is to find a profession and also sometimes it is an easy task as the job can be attained comfortably. Also there are lots of job consultancies and the following one can find the right one according to the salary and location.

The incomes are also bigger in this particular field and one can easily achieve nearly $48,000 on a yearly basis. In addition license from the government is necessary meant for starting this job. The particular license can be renewed as well as the experience of the job is important from the date of issuing the license.

The incomes are higher in this occupation and also there are important benefits in this job where one can work on overtimes and for an hour they can make up to $30. In addition this job is always a secure one compared to the different tasks and one can certainly safeguard their work perhaps in times of economic depression.

Using Dental X-Rays in Oral Health

Dentists use dental X rays quite extensively to safeguard oral health of patients and to diagnose and cure teeth and jaw problems before they cause irreversible damage. In adults, dental X rays help dentists in:

* Identifying tooth decays, such as tiny pits of decay occurring between teeth, which are not evident in visual examination.

* Locating cracks in existing fillings and decays developing under them.

* Identifying bone loss resulting from the periodontal (gum) disease.

* Revealing infection in root canal or nerve death.

* Preparing for and conducting tooth implants. Dental X rays also aid dentists in undertaking orthodontic treatments.

* Revealing cysts and cancer in gums.

* Identifying changes related to metabolic and systemic diseases.

In children, dental x rays can be used to monitor teeth development and detect possible decays. Dental X-rays can also be used to gauge whether kids are losing their primary teeth on time, and to track the proper development of permanent teeth and detect extra teeth, if any.

Types of Dental X Rays

Dental X rays help in early identification and cure of dental problems. Dentists usually use two types of dental X-rays:

* Intra-oral X rays: This technique involves placing an x ray film inside the mouth to get a detailed picture of patients' oral health. These x-rays can help dentists locate caries, verify teeth development, and check problems in tooth root and bone encircling the teeth, and monitor oral health.

* Extra-oral X-rays: In this technique, the film is kept outside the mouth, with the focal area being the jaw and the skull. This type of dental x ray helps monitor the development of jaws in relation to the teeth.

New Technology in Dental X Rays

The latest dental X ray technique involves the direct transmission of X ray images to a computer. These images can be stored and printed, or viewed on a screen. This technique, called digital imaging, requires lesser exposure to radiation, and enables dentists to:

* Enhance and enlarge the image on a computer screen.

* Send the images to another dentist or specialist electronically.

* Compare current and previous images in a process called subtraction radiography.

To search for local dentists providing the latest dental X rays techniques, look up the one stop directory, Patient FYI. The website's exhaustive information makes the process of selecting a dentist and scheduling an appointment with them extremely simple.

X Ray Technologists Or Radiologic Technologists Profiled

Radiology / X-Ray - a fascinating world of medicine and technology!

Did you know that x-rays were invented by accident?

In 1895, a German physicist named Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen made a discovery, which he later termed "x-rays," while experimenting with an electron beam in a gas discharge tube. Roentgen noticed that a fluorescent screen in his lab started to glow when the electron beam was turned on. Roentgen's tube was surrounded by heavy black cardboard, so he continued to investigate what mysterious entity might be traveling right through matter. This discovery laid the foundation for what we know to be the field of Radiologic Technology.

Beginning in the early 1900's, the use of x-rays in medicine marked an immense change in the way that patient anomalies were diagnosed. Using x-ray imaging, physicians were able to see the internal structures in the human body-bony structures, hollow organs, and soft tissues without the use of invasive and dangerous surgical procedures. Today, the field of Radiologic Technology includes other diagnostic techniques and modalities, some of which do not use ionizing radiation. For this reason, the more accurate terminology used for this branch of medicine is Diagnostic Medical Imaging. The continuous expansion of this profession and the diversity of methods used for diagnosis have allowed the modern Radiologic Technologist tremendous growth within this field-both in upward and lateral mobility.

The career potential is expanding along with its learning opportunities. After the successful completion of the classroom and clinical experiential training, graduates must obtain state and/or national certification to be employed as a Radiologic Technologist. Once certified, a Radiologic Technologist may work in an acute-care setting in a hospital, or in an outpatient facility or doctor's office. The technologist utilizes modern digital technology to create images in the radiographic facility, or in emergency rooms, surgical suites, and at the patient's bedside. Some technologists choose to be employed by mobile companies and cover large geographical regions in vans equipped with sophisticated diagnostic equipment. Preparation for this profession is offered in hospitals, colleges and universities as well as vocational schools and academies.

What else do Radiologic Technologists do?

When assisting in fluoroscopy, for example, they might prepare a solution of contrast medium for the patient to drink, allowing the radiologist to examine some of the hollow organs and other dynamic structures within the body, such as the heart. Technologists are also utilized during endoscopic procedures, pacemaker insertions, in the operating room, emergency room, neonatal nursery and in ICU.

There are many more areas in which the expertise of an experienced Radiologic Technologist is needed. They may be involved in more complex imaging procedures, such as areas of cardiovascular interventionist procedures, angiography, mammography, bone densitometry, CT, and MRI, to name a few.

For the skilled radiographer, the creation of diagnostic images is both an art and a science. We utilize complex equipment and apply critical thinking under adverse conditions to create an image with maximum information while minimizing exposure to the patient. It is very gratifying to play such a role in helping our patients achieve health. In addition to preparing patients and operating equipment, we learn how to keep patient records and adjust and maintain equipment. We also may prepare work schedules, evaluate purchases of equipment, and eventually might manage a radiology department. Medical Imaging is a magnificent addition to the world of medicine.

Radiologic technologists are never exposed to the primary beam, but will receive a small amount of secondary exposure within the occupational dose limits established by the government. Both technologists and students are carefully monitored for any radiation exposure received, utilizing individual state-of-the-art monitoring devices read monthly by specialized labs. Exposure is minimized by the use of lead aprons, gloves, and other shielding devices. The changes today in regard to the growth of radiologic specialization and in general diagnostic imaging are projected to move in the direction of upward and lateral mobility. It is a growing and expanding profession.

A good analogy is a tree that grows and produces more and more branches, so does diagnostic imaging; it branches out into separate fields, like Ultrasound, MRI, CT and X-Ray. It's a great field to be in, because you will never be bored. There are always more options, more specialties that come up due to this growth and technological advancements!

The Importance of X-Ray Technicians

X-Ray Technicians are also known as Radiologic Technologists or Radiographers. The essential idea is that these are the people who handle machines and materials with radioactive properties for their use in medicine. That description does not nearly do them justice though, so we begin a closer look into the responsibilities and importance of Radiographers or X-Ray Technicians.

The x-ray machine is one of the fundamental diagnostic tools of modern medicine. The term "x-ray" was coined by Wilhelm Röntgen, who called them such because they were an unknown kind of radiation. These rays can pass through most solids, but are blocked out by denser and thicker material. Their discovery by the humble Röntgen -- who objected to these new rays being named after him -- netted him the first Nobel Prize in Physics. Various other scientists and inventors followed his investigations into this strange energy; famous scientists like Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla were among those that sought to learn how these x-rays could be utilized. The invention and refinement of imaging machines required the development of a new profession, whose members would be skilled at maintaining and manipulating the delicate machines while protecting themselves from the risks. Thus, the profession of radiological technologists was born.

Taking X-rays is not just exposing the patient to a lump of radioactive material to take an image. It is also about fine control to get the right quality of image. The image would not be very useful if it was overexposed or under-exposed, in much the same way as photographic film. Radiographers make sure that the resulting image is as good as possible by watching and adjusting radiation levels from the machine.

X-ray technicians are also responsible for developing the film. Like the situation in photography, a piece of film is not stable or useful without being "fixed". Developing the film sets the image and prevents further reactions, meaning that the image is preserved and will be viable even under bright light. Because the film needs to be mounted on a strong light source to be read and interpreted, this fixing process is very important.

Radiographers (or X-Ray Technicians) need to be able to work with people. They need to know how to position the patients, and how to interact with them. Interaction with a person under the stress of pain or illness is not easy, and getting them to follow procedure can be more than a little difficult. These are things that x-ray technicians deal with in their line of work.

Radiation is dangerous, and the job of X-Ray Technicians is not without risk. He or she must know how to shield themselves and the patients from excess radiation. After all, it just would not do to be made sicker by what is supposed to help you get better.

Lastly, the x-ray technician is the point man in identifying health problems based on the results. They are not qualified to interpret the findings, but they are more than knowledgeable enough to spot something off-kilter in the image. They can then prioritize the results with apparent problems for the radiologist to see first. With all these duties, we can see how much X-Ray Technicians contribute to the practice of medicine.

Dental Implants - The Planning of Implants Using 3D Conebeam Computed Tomography

When you are missing a tooth or teeth or have to have a tooth or teeth removed likely you will need to have the tooth or teeth replaced. The modern replacement method is with a dental implant. Dental implant planning has come a long way since the days of a small rectangular film (periapical radiograph) and holding up to a light to "see" if there was enough room for an implant. These 2 dimensional films only allow the surgeon to evaluate the height of the bone and the distance between the roots of the adjacent teeth. Since x-ray technique can alter appearance, the distances can be misleading and can create intraoperative difficulties during implant placement. Additionally there can be magnification of the x-ray giving the surgeon a false sense of security to important adjacent anatomy like the sinus and the inferior alveolar nerve canal. The inferior nerve canal is where the nerve that supplies feeling to your lower teeth and lip and chin resides. It is the nerve that the dentist "numbs" and your lip and chin feels fat and funny. As such, implants placed too deeply based on magnified films can lead to paresthesias and/or dysesthesias of the inferior alveolar nerve (paresthesia is an altered sensation and dysesthesias are painful alterations in feeling).

Since typical radiographs are two dimensional, they give little evidence in the bony width. Frequently after extractions the bone can become too thin to accept a dental implant. To place an implant in that situation, the patient may have to undergo a bone grafting procedure(s). Often, these discoveries are made at the time of surgery. Thankfully, today, there are methods to take the guesswork out of implant planning and minimize the risk of surgery to the patient.

With affordable conebeam computed tomography radiographs, accurate three dimensional representations of the patient's bone and even soft tissues can be replicated on a computer. Using planning software, like the one from Materialise called Simplant, the surgeon can inspect the patient's bony foundation on the computer. Measurements, bone quality, positions of adjacent teeth, position of adjacent vital anatomy are accurately represented. Bone grafting, sinus augmentations, nerve repositioning and bone harvest site can be planned ahead of time. Implants can be virtually placed in the planning software and then surgical guides can be created that guide the surgeon to exactly replicate the plan on the computer and stop the implant drills short of adjacent anatomy. This helps prevent injury to the patient.

In the near future, companies like Tactile-Tech are close to developing technology that will allow dental implants to be placed by surgeons using real time imaging. This means they will be able to "see" into the patient's bone while placing implant and be able to see exactly what is going on during the entire surgery in 3 dimensions. Advances in technology are making the placement of dental implants more precise and are drastically reducing post-operative complications for patients.

Chest X-ray or Abdomen X-ray

A chest X-ray is taken to study the lungs and heart. The best radiograph is obtained when the child's lungs are filled with air. The child is seated or stands against the film holder and is positioned so that all of the lung fields are included. Two views are usually obtained; one from the front and one from the side. Infants and small toddlers are x-rayed while lying down on the film holder.

Occasionally we must gently restrain the child using sandbags. This doesn't hurt the child, but usually makes him angry and he will often cry in protest. This is an advantage for the technologist who can then obtain the X-ray when the child fills his lungs with air. After the X-rays the child is then returned to the parents in the waiting room.

Sometimes the physician orders a cardiac series. This necessitates giving the child some spoonfuls of barium to be swallowed during the chest X-ray.

The parents are asked to wait until the films are processed and checked for quality before leaving the Radiology Department. Occasionally a film must be repeated because of motion or because the radiologist requests an additional view to clarify the diagnosis.

An abdomen X-ray is similar to the chest X-ray except the part of the body being radiographed is different. The child is usually lying down on the table or turned on his side. Sometimes we obtain a view of the abdomen while standing up.

Buying the Best Quality Radiology Equipment

When buying any new equipment care needs to taken in what you are choosing. It is even more important when you are buying medical equipment. For example if you are buying some PACS imaging equipment for the radiology reading rooms then it is important to make sure that the budget you have is being spent wisely. It is very important to do a lot of research into making sure that the machines that you buy are the best ones for the job, last for a long time, be reliable and that they will offer good value for money.

It is a good idea spending a significant amount of time finding out about what digital radiography systems is available. Look at the prices though, because budget is crucial and therefore anything above budget can be instantly dismissed, however good it looks. This should help make the decision making process easier. Once you have found all of the equipment in your price range, then it is a good idea to read reviews of those products. You should be able to find reviews on the Internet which will give you an idea of how reliable the equipment is, how long lasting and how easy to use. These are really the main factors you should be using for choosing but it is important to look at all the features to make sure that it does what you currently need it to do and also have more things that you may like t start using in the future. It is important to try to look ahead and think about whether things will change, needs will grow and more use will be made of the machine. This is not an easy thing to do but if you make a good guess then that is the most important thing.

Make sure that when you are selecting the machine that you ask the users what they think. They might want something like X-Ray film recycling to be possible and this may mean that you have to change the machine you were decided on. There are a whole host of features that they might want and as it is for them that the machine is being bought then it is very important to listen to all of their suggestions. They may not all be possible but it is worth while doing that so the machine you choose is the best one for them.

What Do X-Ray Technicians Do?

An X-Ray Technician is now called a Radiologic Technologist due to the fact that they no longer just create x-ray images. Today's radiographers are far more versatile in the medical community and they create medical images that help health care providers diagnose and treat illness or injury using a plethora of tools. These tools can include X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, MRIs and a few others. The term radiologic technologist includes different modalities within this health profession. There are more specific titles when describing specifically what someone does. It's sort of like the term nurse in that there are many types of nurses with specific areas of expertise. They do have one thing in common with nurses; they can wear nurse's scrubs to work.

The term technologist can be a little misleading also and should not be confused with technician. A technician fixes machines; a technologist uses the machine to perform their duties. The duties of a Radiologic Technologist include a variety of specialties. Diagnostic Radiography is used to look through the tissue to examine bones, cavities and foreign objects. Sonography uses high frequency ultrasound to see inside the body and is economical, safe and versatile. The technologist that uses this equipment is often a specially trained Sonographer. Fluoroscopy is live motion X-ray and is mostly used to image the digestive tract. With constant radiation a technologist can monitor the administering of a contrasting agent to highlight the organs. This can also be used to position devices within the body. ACT or computed tomography provides a cross-sectional view of the body. It can put the images together to provide 2-D or 3-D images also. An MRI or magnetic resonance imaging, builds a 2-D or 3-D map of different tissue types within the body. Nuclear medicine uses radioactive tracers to examine how the body and organs function. This is often used in the kidneys and heart. Radioisotopes are now being used to treat certain cancers such as thyroid and prostate cancer. Radiation therapy uses radiation to eradicate or shrink cancerous cells and growths in and on the surface of the body. The last technology we'll list is mammography's, which uses X-ray to look at the breast tissues.

As you probably are aware, since most of these technologists work in a medical facility, they wear a medical uniform, quite often nursing scrubs. They normally cannot be differentiated by anything these days. In the past they were the ones with the heavy lead apron on during an X-ray treatment.

Digital Radiography - Electronic X-Ray - When, Why and How?

It seems like we have crossed the healthcare frontier and the only thing left to conquer is analog or film based x-ray systems. MRI's, CT's, Ultrasound, PET, Bone Densitometry, Mammography and most diagnostic imaging systems output digital data, that is except for Radiography and Fluoroscopy. Most existing radiography systems are still analog and put out either x-ray film and/or analog video.

Although most mobile C-arms are now being produced with digital output capability, most existing C-arms, X-ray systems and R/F systems have not yet been upgraded. When you consider that today there are more x-ray studies done than any other modality study, we should concede, we are way overdue in moving to electronic Rad and Fluoro. These upgrades should probably be initiated before all others at medical facilities today. The sooner digital conversion takes place the sooner cost savings will be realized and productivity will be enhanced. So when we ask the question "When should we convert to digital X-ray"? The answer should be "now" or "as soon as possible".

There are many reasons why the conversion should take place, but first and foremost, as always, is cost savings. The cost to purchase, process, duplicate, archive and access film is enormous. Although the actual cost of film is relatively inexpensive, the cost of a film processor, its maintenance, replacement, chemicals and dark room facilities is not cheap. Then, the cost of filing and storing film, retrieving and/or duplicating, film further compounds the cost. Now, add in the time it takes to process and possibly re-shoot, because of poor quality, and the time it takes to transport the film study to the physician or technician and you probably can cost justify the purchase of a digital solution in less than two years. The last factor is the amount of time saved during the procedure itself, thereby increasing the number of patients able to be x-rayed in a given time period. Actual throughput for a single system can probably easily accommodate 8-10 studies per hour, probably an increase of 30% over a film based system.

The bigger question is how do you make this conversion? If you have not had much time to look into digital conversion, you will find there are quite a few options. Although the technology was developed several years ago, it continues to evolve and price continues to change as well. The least expensive and most popular solution is Computer Radiography (CR) or digital radiography systems of . These systems consists of cassettes/phosphorous plates, a reader/converter and a computer workstation. The cassettes/plates are inserted into the table or the chest bucky, similar to inserting a film cassette.

The plate is exposed to x-ray, the cassette is removed and inserted into the reader/converter, which reads the exposed plate and produces a digital image. The plate is then erased and ready to be used again in the same process. The image is available at the computer workstation for viewing, transfer to a radiologist and/or transfer to a Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS). CR systems range in price from low performance systems (one plate processed every 60 seconds) at $30K- $40K to high performance systems (multiple plates processed in 30 seconds) at $90K-$100K.

Although CR is less expensive, the time to load and transport cassettes around, combined with 30-60 second processing times result in lost productivity and throughput when comparing it to Direct Radiography (DR). These systems generally use flat panel detectors that are permanently fixed into the table and/or chest bucky. They also come with a computer workstation and acquisition/viewing/manipulation software. The DR process is very fast and simple. The x-ray exposure is shot and the detector converts it immediately to a electronic image available within 5-15 seconds for viewing at the computer workstation.

However you must pay the price for speed and simplicity. A single panel DR system can costs $100k-$140K. If you have a table and chest stand and you require two detectors, you will need to add another $80K, resulting in a DR system costing 2 or 3 times more than a new x-ray system, which might cost $75K for a high performance and major brand. DR Fluoro/Spot systems are also available to retrofit R/F and Angio systems. These systems are deployed by adding a CCD camera at the image intensifier, a computer workstation, acquisition/viewing/manipulation software and digital R/F system monitor. These systems cost $65K-$80K.

Although all of the solutions discussed are relatively expensive, there are opportunities to reduce costs. We offer a CCD flat panel DR detector system for under $50K. We have sold many refurbished CR systems under $30K and refurbished DR Fluoro/Spot systems under $40K. We have also replaced older X-ray and R/F systems with late model high frequency systems (suggested when upgrading to digital) at half the price of a new system.