However, they can penetrate through the skin to create a picture of what’s going on beneath ( 2020).
X-rays work on a wavelength and frequency that we’re unable to see with the naked, human eye. X-ray imaging is the oldest but one of the most frequently used imaging types ( 2018).ĭiscovered back in 1895, X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation. Ultrasound imaging can be used to diagnose conditions in other areas of the body, including: However, as its applications are so wide, it tends to be the first port of call for many patients. Those waves then bounce back when they hit the different structures within the body, creating a real-time image (FDA 2020a).Īnother type of ultrasound commonly used is the ‘ Doppler’, which allows the blood flow through the arteries and veins to be visualised (FDA 2020a).ĭue to the minimal risk associated with Ultrasound imaging, it’s the first choice for viewing the fetus during pregnancy (FDA 2020a). High-frequency sound waves are transmitted from a probe to the body via conducting gel. Ultrasound uses sound waves rather than ionising radiation. Ultrasound is a typically non-invasive and safe form of medical imaging that has a wide range of applications (NPS MedicineWise 2019). Nuclear medicine imaging (including positron-emission tomography (PET)).Įach type works slightly differently to create images of what’s going on inside the body.In terms of diagnosis, common imaging types include: Medical imaging can be used for both diagnosis and therapeutic purposes, making it one of the most powerful resources available to effectively care for our patients. Indeed, it’s something we’re perhaps guilty of taking for granted at times. Medical imaging remains one of the best ways to achieve this, as it allows us to see what’s going on inside the body without the need for surgery or other invasive procedures. In an ideal world, we’d be able to diagnose and treat patients without any harmful side effects.