Until the invention of X-ray technology, doctors had no way of determining what was happening inside a patient without the use of surgical tools. X-ray still is one of the first steps toward identifying many body ailments. However, determining if a blockage, restriction, stone, hemorrhage, cancer or other abnormality is present also involves many other advanced processes.
With wavelengths ranging from 0.01 to 10 nanometers, the electromagnetic waves from X-rays provide black and white images based on different absorption of radiation.
In fluoroscopy, a continuous X-ray image displayed on a monitor allows real-time monitoring of a procedure often through the use of a contrast agent (dye) passing through the body.
In an intravenous pyelogram (IVP), the X-ray exam uses an injection of contrast agent to evaluate kidneys, ureters and bladder and help diagnose blood in the urine or pain in the side or lower back.
A computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT) scan is a special type of X-ray that uses a computer to obtain 3-dimensional information of organs, bones and tissue.
In addition to an IVP or CT scan used to identify the location and size of kidney stones, ultrasound can also diagnose kidney stones.
Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography uses audio frequencies above 20,000 Hz in the range of 2.5 to 15 MHz depending on the area, to analyze tendons, muscles, joints, blood vessels, and internal organs. With Doppler ultrasound, a physician can see and evaluate blood flow through arteries and veins.
In part 2, we’ll take a closer look into the body with cameras.
Fetal Ultrasound. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultrasound
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