Radiography principles and applications

Radiography

Digital Radiography is a concept in radiography, which, instead of the traditional process of using film, converts X-ray images to electronic data that can be read by the radiologist on a monitor, and the data can subsequently be stored on computer discs. The innate advantage of this method is that it allows certain specific areas of the image to be enlarged, and certain others, where the contrast is less, to be adjusted for clearer visibility. (Definitions of Digital Radiography) This is a method in which no light is used in the conversion of the x-ray images into electronic images, and this means that the images would be of excellent quality, and would be precise and exact. (Digital Radiography) The advantage is that the sensor that obtains the images would also be utilized for making pre-operative, or per-operative, or postoperative diagnoses. (Kodak Dental Systems)

As far as 'thoracic radiology' is concerned, it has undergone three important milestones to reach where it is today, and these are: the development of thoracic fluoroscopy, after which came the concept of roentgenologic interpretation. Chest films were soon created, and this would prove to be of great advantage in diagnoses of chest diseases. The third milestone was the creation and the development of digital radiography, wherein computerized tomography managed to change the very idea of chest imaging. (Computed Tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and digital radiography) The development of digital radiography has resulted in technicians being able to avail themselves of selenium-based image recording systems, and the future development of the technique would be sure to include flat paneled sensors, and also charged coupled devices. (Digital Imaging)

It is about twenty years since the time when 'computed radiography' was developed. This is a mature technology, with the presence of an installed base of just about 3,000 units, and it has undergone a steady and rapid growth over the years. It is assumed that there would be a spurt of growth of this technology in the near future. One of the first people to have used this technology was Jerome Burnstein, MD, of the Lovelace Medical Center, in Albuquerque. The advantage of the method is that one need not worry about whether or not the images have been under or over exposed, there will be a decrease in repeat rates, an increase in productivity, and is also lesser expensive than digital radiography. (CR, still going strong)

The advantages of a computed radiography setup are that whatever has to be done with film can be done faster, better, and much more accurately. One system is the 'Kodak Industrex ACR 2000i Digital System that provides flexible phosphor imaging plates for the CR system setup, and there is no waiting time for the films to develop; the flexible 'plate' can be merely wrapped around the subject, and then it can be exposed, and then processed, digitally. (Computed Radiography Digital Solutions)

The advantages of the system can be numerous. One of them is better image quality, wherein better trabecular details would be seen; another advantage is that there is absolutely no need for retakes. This would save time and money, as well as avoid additional radiation for the patient. There will also be no loss of films, because there is no danger of these images being misplaced or lost, unlike as in the case of conventional x-rays. It is also possible to obtain multiple images with one single exposure, and the images can be manipulated according to the need of the attending physician/s. In addition, it is also possible to obtain multiple images on one film, and images can also be provided on medium other than film, like for example, on a CD, on paper, or they can even be viewed on a monitor. These are some of the many advantages that the technology of Computed Radiography provides. (Computed Radiography, finally an affordable technological advancement for conventional radiology?)