Physics

3.13 - Choosing a Medical Imaging Method

1 min

note 1 of 1

Choosing a medical imaging method

Doctors choose the method that gives a good enough image at the lowest risk to the patient, trading safety against the detail needed.

Ultrasound - Completely safe, but gives a fairly fuzzy image and can only image soft tissue, not bone.
X-rays - Ionising and can damage cells, but give clear images of bone; CT scans give high-resolution images that ultrasound cannot.
Gamma rays - Ionising, but can show how organs are functioning from the inside.
Infrared imaging - Completely safe, but only reveals surface temperature.

end of notes

Physics

1 min

note 1 of 1

Doctors choose the method that gives a good enough image at the lowest risk to the patient, trading safety against the detail needed.

Ultrasound - Completely safe, but gives a fairly fuzzy image and can only image soft tissue, not bone.
X-rays - Ionising and can damage cells, but give clear images of bone; CT scans give high-resolution images that ultrasound cannot.
Gamma rays - Ionising, but can show how organs are functioning from the inside.
Infrared imaging - Completely safe, but only reveals surface temperature.

end of notes