1. Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging
CHAPTER 20
Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging

2. Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Overview
X-rays
High-energy electromagnetic waves
Travel in straight lines
Shorter wave length than visible light
Able to penetrate solid materials of varying densities
Capable of exposing a photographic plate (X-ray film)
Much the same way as a camera exposes film

3. Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Overview
X-rays
Used to visualize internal organs and structures of body
Provide valuable means for verifying presence of illness or disease
Radiology
Study of the diagnostic and therapeutic uses of X-rays

4. PROCEDURES AND TECHNIQUES
Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging

5. Angiocardiography (Cardiac Catheterization)
Pronounced
(an-jee-oh-kar-dee-OG-rah-fee)
(CAR-dee-ak kath-eh-ter-ih-ZAY-shun)
Defined
Specialized diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is introduced into a large vein or artery
Usually of an arm or a leg, and is then threaded through circulatory system to the heart

6. Angiography Pronounced Defined (an-jee-OG-rah-fee)
Series of X-ray films allowing visualization of internal structures after the introduction of a radiopaque substance

7. Cerebral Angiography Pronounced Defined
(seh-REE-bral an-jee-OG-rah-fee)
(SER-eh-bral an-jee-OG-rah-fee)
Defined
Injection of a radiopaque contrast medium into an arterial blood vessel (carotid, femoral, or brachial) to make visualization of the cerebral vascular system via X-ray possible

8. Renal Angiography Pronounced Defined (REE-nal an-jee-OG-rah-fee)
X-ray visualization of internal anatomy of the renal blood vessels (blood vessels of the kidney) after injection of a contrast medium

9. Arteriography Pronounced Defined (ar-tee-ree-OG-rah-fee)
X-ray visualization of arteries following the introduction of a radiopaque contrast medium into the bloodstream through a specific vessel by way of a catheter

10. Arthrography Pronounced Defined (ar-THROG-rah-fee)
Process of taking X-rays of the inside of a joint, after a contrast medium has been injected into the joint
Contrast medium makes the inside of the joint visible

11. Barium Enema (BE) Pronounced Defined (BAH-ree-um EN-eh-mah)
Infusion of a radiopaque contrast medium, barium sulfate, into the rectum
Contrast medium is retained in lower intestinal tract while X-ray films are obtained of the lower GI tract

12. Barium Swallow (Upper GI Series)
Pronounced
(BAH-ree-um SWALL-oh)
Defined
Oral administration of a radiopaque contrast medium, barium sulfate, which flows into the esophagus as the person swallows
X-rays are taken as barium sulfate flows into the upper GI tract

13. Bronchography Pronounced Defined (brong-KOG-rah-fee)
Bronchial examination via X-ray following the coating of the bronchi with a radiopaque substance

14. Cholangiography (Intravenous)
Pronounced
(koh-lan-jee-OG-rah-fee)
(in-trah-VEE-nus)
Defined
Visualizing and outlining of the major bile ducts following an intravenous injection of a contrast medium

15. Cholangiography (Percutaneous Transhepatic)
Pronounced
(koh-lan-jee-OG-rah-fee)
(per-kyoo-TAY-nee-us trans-heh-PAT-ik)
Defined
Examination of bile duct structure using a needle to pass directly into an intrahepatic bile duct to inject a contrast medium
Also known as PTC or PTHC

16. Cholangiopancreatography (Endoscopic Retrograde)
Pronounced
(koh-lan-jee-oh-pan-kree-ah-TOG-rah-fee)
(en-doh-SKOP-ic RET-roh-grayd)
Defined
Procedure that examines the size of and the filling of the pancreatic and biliary ducts through direct radiographic visualization with a fiberoptic endoscope

17. Cholecystography (Oral)
Pronounced
(koh-lee-sis-TOG-rah-fee)
Defined
Visualization of the gallbladder through X-ray following the oral ingestion of pills containing a radiopaque iodinated dye

18. Cineradiography Pronounced Defined (sin-eh-ray-dee-OG-rah-fee)
Diagnostic technique combining the techniques of fluoroscopy, radiography, and cinematography by filming the images that develop on a fluorescent screen with a movie camera

19. Computed Axial Tomography (CT, CAT)
Pronounced
(kom-PEW-ted AK-see-al toh-MOG-rah-fee)
Defined
Painless, noninvasive diagnostic X-ray procedure using ionizing radiation that produces a cross-sectional image of the body

20. Computed Axial Tomography

21. Voiding Cystourethrography
Pronounced
(VOYD-ing sis-toh-yoo-ree-THROG-rah-fee)
Defined
X-ray visualization of the bladder and urethra during the voiding process, after the bladder has been filled with a contrast material

22. Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA)
Pronounced
(DIJ-ih-tal sub-TRAK-shun an-jee-OG-rah-fee)
Defined
X-ray images of blood vessels only, appearing without any background, due to the use of a computerized digital video subtraction process

23. Echocardiography Pronounced Defined (ek-oh-kar-dee-OG-rah-fee)
Diagnostic procedure for studying the structure and motion of the heart via ultrasound
Useful in evaluating structural and functional changes in a variety of heart disorders

24. Fluoroscopy Pronounced Defined (floor-or-OSS-koh-pee)
Radiological technique used to examine the function of an organ or a body part using a fluoroscope

25. Hysterosalpingography
Pronounced
(his-ter-oh-sal-ping-OG-rah-fee)
Defined
X-ray assessment of uterus and fallopian tubes by injecting a contrast material into these structures

26. Lymphangiography Pronounced Defined (lim-fan-jee-OG-rah-fee)
X-ray assessment of lymphatic system following injection of a contrast medium into lymph vessels in the hand or foot

27. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Pronounced
(mag-NET-ik REZ-oh-nans IM-ij-ing)
Defined
Noninvasive scanning procedure that provides visualization of fluid, soft tissue, and bony structures without the use of radiation

28. Mammography Pronounced Defined (mam-OG-rah-fee)
Process of taking X-rays of the soft tissue of the breast to detect various benign and/or malignant growths before they can be felt

29. Myelography Pronounced Defined (my-eh-LOG-rah-fee)
Introduction of contrast medium into the lumbar subarachnoid space through a lumbar puncture to visualize the spinal cord and vertebral canal through X-ray examination

30. Positron Emission Tomography Scan (PET)
Pronounced
(POZ-ih-tron ee-MISH-un toh-MOG-rah-fee)
Defined
Noninvasive diagnostic imaging method that demonstrates the biological function of the body before anatomical changes take place
Scan produces computerized radiographic images of the body structures when radioactive substances are administered to the patient
Substances are inhaled or injected

31. Pyelography (Intravenous) (IVP)
Pronounced
(pye-eh-LOG-rah-fee)
(in-trah-VEE-nus)
Defined
Radiographic procedure that provides visualization of the entire urinary tract: kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra
Also known as intravenous pyelogram or excretory urogram

32. Radiation Therapy Pronounced Defined (ray-dee-AY-shun THAIR-ah-pee)
Delivery of ionizing radiation to accomplish one or more of the following:
Destruction of tumor cells
Reduction of tumor size
Decrease in pain
Relief of obstruction
To slow or stop the spread of cancer cells

33. Radiation Therapy Radiation therapy
Destroys rapidly multiplying cells regardless of whether they are cancerous
Goal is to reach maximum tumor control with no, or minimal, normal tissue damage
May be delivered by teletherapy (external)
May be delivered by brachytherapy (internal)

34. Radioactive Iodine Uptake
Pronounced
(ray-dee-oh-AK-tiv EYE-oh-dine UP-tayk)
Defined
Examination that determines the position, size, shape, and physiological function of the thyroid gland through the use of radionuclear scanning
Image of the thyroid is recorded and visualized after a radioactive substance is given

35. Scanning (Bone, Brain, Liver, Lungs)
Pronounced
(SCAN-ing)
Defined
Scanning is the process of recording emission of radioactive waves, using a gamma camera (scanner)
After an intravenous injection of a radionuclide material into the particular part of the body being studied

36. Scanning (Bone, Brain, Liver, Lungs)
Defined
Image of the area being studied is displayed by recording concentration or collection of a radioactive substance specifically drawn to that area

37. Scanning
Bone
Involves intravenous injection of a radionuclide material absorbed by bone tissue
Used to detect spread of cancer to the bones, osteomyelitis, and other destructive changes in the bones

38. Scanning
Brain
Nuclear scanning of cranial contents two hours after an intravenous injection of radioisotopes
Useful in diagnosing abnormal findings such as an acute cerebral infarction, cerebral neoplasm, cerebral hemorrhage, brain abscess, aneurysms, cerebral thrombosis, hematomas, hydrocephalus, cancer metastasis to the brain, and bleeds

39. Scanning
Liver
Noninvasive scanning technique that enables the visualization of the shape, size, and consistency of the liver after the IV injection of a radioactive compound
Useful in detecting cysts, abscesses, tumors, granulomas, or diffuse infiltrative processes affecting the liver

40. Scanning
Lung
Visual imaging of the distribution of ventilation or blood flow in the lungs by scanning the lungs after the patient has been injected with or has inhaled radioactive material

41. Scanning
Spleen
Noninvasive scanning technique that enables the visualization of the shape, size, and consistency of the spleen after injection of radioactive red blood cells
Useful in detecting damage, tumors, and other problems

42. Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)
Pronounced
(single FOH-ton ee-MISH-un
kom-PEW-ted toh-MOG-rah-fee)
Defined
Nuclear imaging procedure that shows how blood flows to tissues and organs
Tracking of radioactive material allows physician to see perfusion of blood to tissues and organs

43. Small Bowel Follow-Through
Pronounced
(Small Bowel Follow-Through)
Defined
Oral administration of a radiopaque contrast medium, barium sulfate, which flows through the GI system
X-ray films are obtained at timed intervals to observe progression of barium through small intestines

44. Tomography Pronounced Defined (toh-MOG-rah-fee)
X-ray technique used to construct a detailed cross-section, at a predetermined depth, of a tissue structure
Useful in identifying space-occupying lesions in the liver, brain, pancreas, and gallbladder

45. Ultrasonography (Ultrasound)
Pronounced
(ull-trah-son-OG-rah-fee)
Defined
Procedure in which sound waves are transmitted into body structures as a small transducer is passed over the patient’s skin
Sound waves are reflected back into the transducer and are interpreted by a computer that converts waves to a composite picture form

46. Ultrasonography Abdominal ultrasound
Use of reflected sound waves to provide reliable visualization of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, and ureters

47. Ultrasonography Pelvic ultrasound
Noninvasive procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to examine the abdomen and pelvis
Can be used to locate a pelvic mass, an ectopic pregnancy, or an intrauterine device, and to inspect and assess the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes

48. Ultrasonography Renal ultrasound Thyroid Echogram (ultrasound)
Noninvasive ultrasound of the kidneys that is useful in distinguishing between fluid-filled cysts and solid masses, detecting renal calculi, identifying obstructions, and evaluating transplanted kidneys
Thyroid Echogram (ultrasound)
Ultrasound examination important in distinguishing solid thyroid nodules from cystic nodules

49. Venography Pronounced Defined (vee-NOG-rah-fee)
Technique used to prepare an X-ray image of veins
Veins are injected with a radiopaque contrast medium
Phlebography

50. X-rays Pronounced Defined (ECKS-rays)
Use of high-energy electromagnetic waves, passing through the body onto a photographic film, to produce a picture of the internal structures of the body for diagnosis and therapy

51. X-rays Chest X-ray Visualization of interior of chest
Provides diagnostic information about:
Tumors, inflammation, accumulation of fluid, accumulation of air, bone fractures, diaphragmatic hernia, size of heart, calcification, placement of centrally located intravenous access devices

52. X-rays Chest X-ray views Posteroanterior (PA) Lateral Oblique
X-rays pass through the posterior (back) to the anterior (front)
Lateral
X-rays pass through the person’s side
Oblique
X-rays are taken from different angles
Decubitus
X-rays are taken with person in recumbent lateral position – aids in localizing fluid