Medical imaging
Imaging method (including diagnostic imaging or short imaging ) summarizes as a generic term in medicine and especially in medical diagnostics different apparatus investigation methods together, provide the (two - or three-dimensional ) image data of organs and structures of the human body, and mainly used for the diagnosis of illness-related changes be.
Imaging techniques based on medical devices, which are referred to in this context as modalities; Occasionally one finds the term " modality " but also as a synonym for " Medical imaging ".
Conceptual history
The terms imaging technique, imaging system or imaging method can be found from the late 1970s to increasing use in the medical literature. Early evidence dates from 1977 (" ... X and Others imaging methods ( X-ray tomography, xerography ) ... " ), 1979 (" ... ultrasound as a superior imaging method ... " ) and 1980 (Book Title: " Imaging systems for medical diagnostics ... "). The name that is spread about the same time with the growing number of new imaging methods ( based on the classical X-ray addition ), thereby coining of a new, more general preamble only was required.
Classification of methods
Systematizing can be the imaging method according to various criteria such as by their imaging by means of
- X-ray radiation (such as X-rays, fluoroscopy, computerized tomography )
- Radionuclides (eg, scintigraphy, positron emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomography)
- Ultrasound (eg, ultrasound, color Doppler)
- Nuclear magnetic resonance (e.g., MRI )
- Infrared radiation (eg, diagnostic thermography )
- Visible light ( for example, endoscopy, optical tomography )
Or on the type of image data generated ( cross-sectional images, projection images, pictures surface ). In addition, a distinction is made between anatomical and functional imaging.
The selection is usually done by the physician and is based on the requirements which are provided to the diagnosis. For example, bones are well represented in radiography, scintigraphy may represent, among other things, the distribution of activity in the thyroid.
Most methods provide static shots. " Moving Pictures " for motion sequences, including video recordings and during operations can ultrasound, fluoroscopy and endoscopy, partly also generate MRI.
The radiological methods differ also in the radiation exposure and the subsequent dose. Accordingly, the selection should be (as much as necessary, as little as possible ) take place after the ALARA principle by X-ray Ordinance.
CT chest image ( axial cross-section )
PET brain uptake ( axial cross-section )
Ultrasound image of the gallbladder
MRI knee recording ( sagittal section image )
Endoscopic image of a stomach