Medical Imaging

Such as CAT scans and MRI

Medical imaging

is the technique and process of creating

visual representations of the interior of
a body for clinical analysis and medical
intervention, as well as visual
representation of the function of some
organs or tissues. Medical imaging
seeks to reveal internal structures
hidden by the skin and bones, as well as
to diagnose and treatdisease.

Medical imaging seeks to reveal

internal structures hidden by the skin
and bones, as well as to diagnose and
treatdisease.
Medical imaging also establishes a
database of normalanatomyand
physiologyto make it possible to
identify abnormalities.

computerized axial
tomography scan(CAT scan)

makes use of computer-processed

combinations of manyX-rayimages
taken from different angles to produce
cross-sectional (tomographic) images
(virtual "slices") of specific areas of a
scanned object, allowing the user to
see inside the object without cutting.

A CT scan has many uses, but is

particularly well-suited to quickly
examine people who may have internal
injuries from car accidents or other
types of trauma. A CT scan can be
used to visualize nearly all parts of the
body and is used to diagnose disease
or injury as well as to plan medical,
surgical or radiation treatment.

Diagnose muscle and bone disorders, such as bone

tumors and fractures
Pinpoint the location of a tumor, infection or blood
clot
Guide procedures such as surgery, biopsy and
radiation therapy
Detect and monitor diseases and conditions such as
cancer, heart disease, lung nodules and liver
masses
Monitor the effectiveness of certain treatments,
such as cancer treatment
Detect internal injuries and internal bleeding

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

uses powerful magnets to polarize and

excitehydrogennuclei (i.e. single
protons) of water molecules in human
tissue, producing a detectable signal
which is spatially encoded, resulting in
images of the body.The MRI machine
emits a radio frequency (RF) pulse at
the resonant frequency of the
hydrogen atoms on water molecules.

most ailments of the brain, including tumours and

dementias
sports injuries
musculoskeletal problems
most spinal conditions/injuries
vascular abnormalities
female pelvic problems
prostate problems
some gastrointestinal tract conditions
certain ear, nose and throat (ENT) conditions
soft tissue and bone pathology/conditions

ACT Scan(orCAT Scan) is best suited for

viewing bone injuries, diagnosing lung and
chest problems, and detecting cancers.
AnMRIis suited for examining soft tissue in
ligament and tendon injuries, spinal cord
injuries, brain tumors, etc. CT scans are
widely used in emergency rooms because the
scan takes fewer than 5 minutes. An MRI, on
the other hand, can take up to 30 minutes.
An MRI typically costs more than a CT scan.
One advantage of an MRI is that it does not
use radiation while CAT scans do. This
radiation is harmful if there is repeated
exposure.