X-Ray, Sonograms, and MRI Technology Nicole Chiarella CIT-1

X-Rays A relatively high-energy photon having a wavelength in the approximate range from 0.01 to 10 nanometers. A stream of such photons, used for their penetrating power in radiography, radiology, radiotherapy, and scientific research. Often used in the plural. Also called roentgen ray.

Sonograms The picture formed by the pattern of echoes from an ultra sound. Is the readily usable graph of the frequency bands (formants) produced by the sound spectrograph.

MRI The abbreviated term for magnetic resonance imaging. MRI uses a large circular magnet and radio waves to generate signals from atoms in the body. These signals are used to construct images of internal structures.

Pros and Cons of X-Rays Pros: They let doctors peer inside a patient without any surgery. It's much easier and safer to look at a broken bone using X- rays Cons: The doctors and patients started developing radiation sickness. X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation An X-ray hits an atom, it can knock electrons off the atom to create an ion, an electrically- charged atom. An ion's electrical charge can lead to unnatural chemical reactions inside cells. X-Ray Radiation

Pros and Cons of Sonograms Pros: Ultrasound examinations are non-invasive Ultrasound methods are relatively inexpensive, quick and convenient No harmful effects have been detected Ultrasound is particularly suited to imaging soft tissues Cons: The major disadvantage is that the resolution of images is often limited. Ultrasound is reflected very strongly on passing from tissue to gas, or vice versa. Ultrasound also does not pass well through bone

Pros and Cons of MRIs Pros: MRI provides information that differs from other imaging modalities MR image acquisition does not use ionizing radiation. Patient acceptability is high. Cons: The small bore of the magnet, some patients experience claustrophobia. Patient throughput is slow compared with other imaging modalities. MRI units require careful sitting and shielding.

X-Ray Availability X-Rays can be taken at a local hospital or at some pediatricians offices.

Sonogram Availability You can get a ultrasound of your stomach done when you are pregnant and would like to see how far along you are with your child. This can get done at a hospital or your baby doctor.

MRI Availability You must schedule an appointment to get an MRI. There are now stand up MRIs rather than laying down. They try and make it more enjoyable when getting an MRI by playing music or soothing sounds.

The Technology “It is commonly accepted that advances in technology have been one of the most important drivers of health care spending growth over the past several decades. We report on relationships between technology availability and spending at several levels, from spending on the particular technology in question to overall health care spending.”

MRIs

X-Ray Machine

Sonogram Machine

Resources advantages-limitation.asphttp://dir.nhlbi.nih.gov/labs/lce/cmri/mri- advantages-limitation.asp ull/hlthaff.w3.537v1/DC2http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/f ull/hlthaff.w3.537v1/DC2