Question

Explain pros and cons of two imaging techniques used in hospitals.

Answer 1

1. ULTRASOUND

Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to produce pictures in side the body.

Advantages of ultrasound

• No ionising radiation
• Portability facilitated by laptop sized ultrasound machines.
• Non invasive
• Can repeat and easy to store
• Cmplications from surrounding structures can be avoided.
• Less artifacts

Disadvantages

• Operator and equipment dependent
• Hard tissue cannot be imagined
• Deep structure cannot be vissualised.

2. PET/CT

Scans scan combines two different types of imaging scans during a single procedure with one machine. This technologically advanced screening combines two distinctive technologies to reveal critical iformation about the function and form of cells and organs inside the body.

Positron emission tomograghy (PET)

PET is a nuclear imaging technique that uses redioactive tracers that are ingested or injected and then absiebed by body tissue.

Computed tomography(CT)

CT utilizes X-rays taken from different angles and then processed by a computer to createa 3D,cross sectional image of the body.

ADVANTAGES OF PET/CT

• Double the diagnostic clarity

Clearly ,the fact that PETscan CTscan show different things ,that when combined patient's reap twice the diagnostic benefits.Alone PET Scan will show areas of increased activity in the body- while CT scan alone produces detailed images of tissues and organs inside the body.

Together the scans,allow your doctor to see exactly where the tissue are and what may be contributing to it.It can help to differentiate between a cancerous and non cancerous mass in the body.

• it is relatively painless procedure that measures both anatomy and physiological function with in the patients body as images are captured in a single scan.
• The actual scan only takes about a half an hour to complete
• Easy and non disruptive

Asides from initial injection of the radio active material,the exam is non invasive and requires no recovery down time after ward.Patients may immediately assume normal activities after PET/CT scan.

DISADVANTAGES

• Pregnant women should no undergo PET/CT scans because the radioactive tracers used may be dangerous to the baby,While the amount of radiation received is negligible and is not any more dangerous to the patient than the exposure they have receive from low dose x ray,pregnant women should avoid any exposure to radiation while pregnancy and breast feeding
• Diabetics may undergo a PET,CT Scan but with certain precautions .Because the radio active material is combined with glucose and then injected in to the patient,this can be concern for some diabetic patient.