Medical Imaging

Original Editor - Rachael Lowe Top Contributors - Rachael Lowe, Lucinda hampton, Donald John Auson, Melissa Coetsee, Admin, Kim Jackson, Naomi O'Reilly, Adam Vallely Farrell and Karen Wilson

Overview

Medical imaging is home to all diagnostic and therapeutic investigations/interventions conducted in a typical radiology department. It encompasses different imaging modalities and processes to image the human body for diagnostic, treatment and follow up purposes and plays an important role in initiatives to improve public health for all population groups. It includes:

• X-rays (including eg plain xrays, DEXA scans, fluoroscopy)

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• Ultrasound (US)
• Computed tomography (CT)
• nuclear medicine: often cross-sectional radiotracer scanning e.g. PET is considered a separate modality from 'traditional' scintigraphy e.g. bone scans
• Hybrid modalities

Medical imaging, especially X-ray based examinations and ultrasonography, is crucial in a variety of medical setting and at all major levels of health care. In public health and preventive medicine as well as in both curative and palliative care, effective decisions depend on correct diagnoses. Though medical/clinical judgment may be sufficient prior to treatment of many conditions, the use of diagnostic imaging services is paramount in confirming, correctly assessing and documenting courses of many diseases as well as in assessing responses to treatment

• Imaging is a useful resource for many conditions and is an invaluable tool for physical therapists when used appropriately.

• It is important to know when imaging is appropriate, as unnecessary imaging will squander financial resources and increase potential for premature surgery.

Hybrid Imaging

Hybrid Imaging is the fusion of two (or more) imaging modalities to form a new technique. By combining the innate advantages of the fused imaging technologies synergistically, usually a new and more powerful modality comes into being

Existing hybrid imaging modalities comprise

• PET-CT
• SPECT-CT
• MRI-PET
• MRI-SPECT
• ultrasound and MRI
• ultrasound and CT
• MRI and CT

The general benefits of hybrid imaging include

• increased diagnostic accuracy
• a further step towards individualized medicine
• precise monitoring of interventional procedures
• reduced radiation exposure, e.g. dynamic US after obtaining CT map

Optoacoustic Imaging

Also known as Photoacoustic Imaging, is an upcoming biomedical imaging modality availing the benefits of optical resolution and acoustic depth of penetration. With its capacity to offer structural, functional, molecular and kinetic information making use of either endogenous contrast agents like hemoglobin, lipid, melanin and water or a variety of exogenous contrast agents or both, Optoacoustic imaging has demonstrated promising potential in a wide range of preclinical and clinical applications.

Clinical applications of optoacoustic imaging include:

• Breast imaging
• Dermatologic Imaging
  • Pilosebaceous units
  • Skin cancer
  • Inflammatory skin diseases
• Vascular Imaging
  • Cutaneous miscrovasculature
  • Vascular Dysfunction
  • Wound Imaging
• Carotid Vessel Imaging
• Musculoskeletal Imaging
• Gastrointestinal Imaging
• Adipose Tissue Imaging

Recent studies showed the potential use of optoacoustic imaging in the assessment, diagnosis and monitoring of treatment in patients with inflammatory arthritis as well limb and muscle ischemia.

Health Care Team

Imaging for medical purposes involves a team which includes the service of radiologists, radiographers (X-ray technologists), sonographers (ultrasound technologists), medical physicists, nurses, biomedical engineers, and other support staff working together to optimize the wellbeing of patients, one at a time. Appropriate use of medical imaging requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Diagnostic Imaging for Body Regions

• Diagnostic Imaging of the Hip for the Physical Therapist
• Diagnostic Imaging of the Knee for the Physical Therapist
• Diagnostic Imaging of the Ankle and Foot for the Physical Therapist
• Diagnostic Imaging of the Shoulder