Dense materials such as bone or metal will appear white on X-rays, while air in the lungs will appear black. Phase contrast X-ray imaging refers to a variety of techniques that use the phase information of an X-ray to form the image. Due to its good sensitivity to density differences, it is especially useful for imaging soft tissues. It has become an important method for visualizing cellular and histological structures in a wide range of biological and medical studies. There are several technologies used for X-ray phase contrast imaging, all using different principles to convert phase variations in X-rays coming out of an object into variations in intensity. These include propagation-based phase contrast, Talbot interferometry, refractive-enhanced imaging, and X-ray interferometry.
The ionizing ability of X-rays can be used in the treatment of cancer to kill malignant cells using radiation therapy. It is also used for the characterization of materials by X-ray spectroscopy. X-rays or X-rays use a very small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of structures in the body. They are often used to diagnose broken bones, look for injuries or infections, and to locate foreign objects in soft tissues. Some X-ray examinations may use an iodine or barium-based contrast material to improve the visibility of specific organs, blood vessels, tissues or bones. CT scans are X-ray procedures that create cross-sectional images and three-dimensional images of a patient’s internal organs.
Conventional dental X-rays use a small amount of radiation to create the images. More detailed imaging may be needed in certain circumstances, such as orthodontic planning or dental implants. In these cases, cone beam computed tomography may be used, resulting in higher doses than other dental examinations. Physicians are trained to determine appropriate examinations for common medical conditions.
When a person has a CT scan, many X-rays are taken at about the same time. These detailed images help doctors diagnose problems in the body, such as tumors or organ damage. CT scans can also provide x-ray generator surgeons with a map of the patient’s interior that they can follow during surgery. When a person has a CT scan, they are exposed to several hundred times more radiation than a conventional X-ray.
Like any medical test, the favorable information obtained from a CT scan should outweigh the risk of radiation exposure from the test performed. If necessary, CT scans are a very powerful and valuable technique that can provide important and life-saving information. From broken bones to life-threatening diseases, X-rays help doctors find and treat medical conditions. Specially trained doctors can read these images to diagnose medical conditions or injuries. Different imaging procedures expose patients to different amounts of radiation.
A mammogram is an X-ray of breast tissue used to screen for breast cancer. Screening mammograms are used to screen healthy women with no signs of disease. Diagnostic mammograms are helpful when there are some symptoms of breast cancer.