Imaging Techniques Flashcards
(28 cards)
X-ray
Basic diagnostic tool for bones, lungs, and certain soft tissues.
CT (Computed Tomography)
Used for detailed cross-sectional images of the body, often for trauma, cancer, and internal organ issues.
Ultrasound
Commonly used for soft tissue imaging, organ evaluation, pregnancy monitoring, and guiding procedures.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Provides detailed images of soft tissues, brain, spinal cord, and joints.
Fluoroscopy
Real-time imaging used during procedures like catheter placement, GI exams, and orthopedic surgery.
ECG (Electrocardiogram)
Measures the heart’s electrical activity (with electrodes), essential for diagnosing heart conditions.
Echocardiography
Ultrasound of the heart, used to assess heart structure and function.
Angiography
Imaging of blood vessels using contrast dye, often used to diagnose and treat vascular diseases.
Cardiac MRI
Specialized MRI for detailed heart imaging.
Doppler Ultrasound
Assesses blood flow and detects blockages in blood vessels.
PET (Positron Emission Tomography)
Used for cancer detection, cardiac function, and brain activity.
SPECT (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography)
Provides 3D images of how blood flows to tissues and organs.
fMRI (Functional MRI)
Measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow, used mainly in neurological research.
Nuclear Medicine Imaging
Uses small amounts of radioactive materials to diagnose and treat diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
Bone Densitometry (DEXA Scan)
Measures bone density, primarily used for diagnosing osteoporosis.
EEG (Electroencephalography)
Records electrical activity in the brain, used to diagnose epilepsy and other brain disorders.
MEG (Magnetoencephalography)
Measures magnetic fields from brain activity, sometimes studied in neurology
Cerebral Angiography
Specialized angiography for visualizing blood vessels in the brain.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)
A form of MRI that maps white matter tracts in the brain, useful in stroke and brain injury cases.
Mammography
X-ray of the breast for cancer screening.
Interventional Radiology
Uses imaging guidance (e.g., fluoroscopy, ultrasound, CT) to perform minimally invasive procedures like biopsies or stent placements.
Contrast Studies (e.g., Barium Swallow):
X-ray studies enhanced with contrast agents to visualize the GI tract.
Resting-State fMRI
Studies spontaneous brain activity in the absence of a specific task, often in research.
Perfusion imaging
Measures blood flow, particularly in the brain or heart, used to detect strokes or heart disease.
