INTRODUCTION OF RADIOLOGY

Dr.Majid Nashar
 Radiology
Definition :
specialty of medicine concerned with use of
radiant energy or radioactive material in the
diagnosis and treatment of disease
Discovery of x rays by dr.Wilhelm
Rontgen in 1895
 Radiation

Radiation can be either ionizing or non-

ionizing, depending on how it affects matter.
Non-ionizing radiation includes: visible light,
heat, radar, microwaves, and radio waves.
This type of radiation deposits energy in the
materials through which it passes, but it does
not have sufficient energy to break molecular
bonds or remove electrons from atoms.
 Radiation
ionizing radiation (such as x-rays, gamma rays)
is more energetic.
when ionizing radiation passes through
material, it deposits enough energy to break
molecular bonds and displace (or remove)
electrons from atoms creating two electrically
charged particles (ions), which may cause
changes in living cells of plants, animals, and
people.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
 X-Rays
X-rays are electromagnetic waves of energy
(photons) that are produced by accelerating
electrons
Kinetic energy of electron are converted in to
electromagnetic energy by atomic interaction
X-ray tube
 X-rays interaction with matter
Pass straight through body
Scattered
Absorbed by the tissues ( proportional to the
density of material passing through)
Main Densities on X-ray
 Dense structures absorb (attenuate) more of
the x-ray beam than less dense structures.
Thus, less of the beam passes through to hit
the cassette and these structures appear
white, termed radio-opaque.
 Structures which are not very dense, such as
air, absorb very little of the x-ray beam. Most
of the beam passes through the air and strikes
the detector. As a result, these structures
appear black on x-rays, termed radiolucent
 5 Basic Radiographic Densities
1.
Air
Fat 4.
Soft tissue/fluid
Mineral
Metal
2. 5.

3.

Name these radiographic densities.

 Gamma Rays

Electromagnetic energy emitted from

the nucleus of an atom.
. Gamma rays are similar to x-rays , but are
highly penetrating energy and short
wavelength
Gamma photons interact with matter same as
x-photons
 Nuclear medicine is based on radioactive
substances (tracers) that administered to
measure functional parameters of different
organs
These tracers are molecules which contain
atomic nuclei that emit alpha, beta and
gamma radiation. If any of these substances
are taken into different body organs they emit
radiation
Thyroid scan
 Hazard of medical imaging
Deterministic effect result of cell injury &
death when threshold level of radiation
exposure increases
e.g.: hair loss, skin burn, cataract
 Hazard of medical imaging
Stochastic effect : result of cell
transformation/mutation leads to cancers or
genetic abnormalities
This is proportional to dose of radiation but
without any threshold !
Patient group most likely at risk
 Safety & protection
The ICRP includes regulations for the following aspects of
medical irradiation protection:
Keep dose of irradiation as low as reasonably achievable
Justification for every imaging requesting
Should have knowledge of patient previous examination
and conditions
Limiting all exposed workers to 20 mSv/yr & the public to 1
mSv/yr
Protection of the body & thyroid gland w/ lead apron/collar
Dosimeter, small device measures the cumulative absorbed
dose
Containment
Radioactive materials are confined in the
smallest possible space and kept out of the
environment. Radioactive isotopes for medical
use, for example, are dispensed in closed
handling facilities
Rooms have a reduced air pressure so that any
leaks occur into the room and not out of it.
Dose of radiation under different
imaging modalities
 What types of imaging not ionizing radiation
dependent ?
 Imaging Modalities
X-ray CT uses ionizing radiation, source is
external to the body. In some cases, contrast
agents are injected
MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) uses
magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses
US (Ultrasound imaging) uses high frequency
sound waves and the pulse echo effect
Nuclear medicine imaging uses unsealed
radioactivity
 Key Points
X rays & gamma rays are forms of ionizing
radiation, with high penetrating energy used
in various medical imaging
Exposure to high dose of imaging lead to
different health related hazards so be wise in
choosing proper imaging modalities for each
patient group
Know the safety & protection regulations at
the facilities exposed to radiation
 Provide clinical details when requesting
imaging would help the radiology department
determine what imaging modalities is/are
appropriate in diagnosing and management
the patient
If you not sure what imaging to request its
better to ask radiologist or senior physician for
their opinion for proper imaging for specific
patients groups
 Bibliography

Suetens. Fundamentals of medical imaging.2nd

Ed. 2009
Wolbarst. Medical imaging :essentials for
physician. 3rd Ed. 2013
Thank you