Advancements in Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapeutic Innovations

Medical Imaging Modalities: X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound, and Nuclear Medicine

Radiology and medical imaging facilitate the internal aspects of the working human body to produce 2-D and 3-D digital images for clinical examination.  These medical imaging modalities aim to assist physicians in the diagnosis and pathology of the disease state. Medical imaging incorporates various disciplines, including radiology, nuclear medicine, radiation physics and tomography. In the clinical setting, medical imaging is implemented by the radiology department, and radiologists are responsible for interpreting the images. Artificial Intelligence assists radiologists in evaluating the complex megapixel images obtained from medical imaging modalities such as x-rays, computed tomography scanning, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound scanning, nuclear medicine technology and theranostics.

Nuclear Medicine: From PET to SPECT and Beyond

Nuclear medicine uses radioactive substances for diagnosis, therapy, and monitoring various medical conditions and diseases.

Technological advancements in PET and SPECT imaging will produce the next generation of SPECT cameras based on cadmium zinc telluride detectors to reduce the radiation dose and scanning time subjected to the patient.  Furthermore, the hybrid scanners PET-CT and SPECT-CT will allow CT attenuation correction of the images.  For example, infusing the CT anatomical images will help understand the coronary anatomy and locate the restriction causing perfusion defects. Furthermore, potential PET imaging agents could provide information on the best therapy approach to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in other developments.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Closer Look at the Human Body

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) employs powerful magnets to generate detailed images of internal body structures.

Non-radiation medical imaging techniques include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which utilises radio waves and a strong magnetic field to enable the formation of detailed images of organs and tissues. This powerful medical imaging tool can differentiate between healthy and diseased soft tissues within the body. Also, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) assists in the treatment planning stage for a patient undergoing image-guided surgery (Gamma Knife).

Theranostics: The Fusion of Diagnosis and Therapy

Theranostics combines diagnostics and targeted therapy, enabling personalised medicine for optimal patient outcomes and care.

Theranostics is an emerging field of medicine that combines specific targeted therapy based on individual targeted diagnostic tests. The theranostic approach utilises a personalised and precise approach towards treating the disease state. While designing theranostic radiopharmaceuticals based on nanoscience, diagnostic imaging with therapeutic applications is united to produce a single target agent.  The theranostic imaging approach allows diagnosis and treatment planning, including developing new drug delivery systems.

Computed Tomography Scanner Design and Technology

Computed tomography (CT) delivers detailed cross-sectional images, enabling accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.

Advancements in detector technology and computational capabilities have led to the development of multi-slice computed tomography scanners, which can simultaneously capture multiple cross-sectional images, enabling faster and more detailed examinations. Additionally, the evolution of image reconstruction algorithms has enhanced the quality of 3D and 4D images, providing better visualisation and improved diagnostic accuracy.

Radiation Therapy: A Powerful Weapon Against Cancer

Radiation therapy targets cancer cells with high-energy rays, killing or shrinking tumours while minimising damage.

Radiation therapy devices utilise X-rays, gamma rays and electron beams, including proton beam therapy, to treat specific cancers. The non-surgical stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) utilises radiation to manage brain tumours.  The objective of stereotactic radiosurgery is to deliver a high dose of radiation to the tumour site compared to other radiotherapy treatments, such as theranostics.

Artificial Intelligence: Pioneering the Future of Medical Imaging

Artificial Intelligence enhances medical imaging, improving diagnostics, analysis, and personalised treatment through advanced algorithms.

The future robot physician will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to evaluate a patient, suggest the most probable diagnoses, and request appropriate medical tests.  The personalised AI approach towards the patient within these diagnostic centres will create information networks capable of handling Big Data generated from medical scans.  However, the human physician will evaluate the personalised AI outcomes for the patient.  The essence of AI is not to limit access to the various imaging modalities but to reduce the need for a radiology specialist to evaluate the data. The radiology revolution will incorporate clinical pathology and genomics to become Clinical Diagnosticians. 

Next-Gen Diagnostic Imaging Breakthroughs

However, the familiar medical scanners will be fusion imaging machines combining PET-CT-MR and hybrids.  These future scanners will speed up the diagnosis and have various technological advances, including:

  • PET: Whole-body 10-second scans.
  • CT: lower radiation dose, dual-energy systems and no contrast imaging agent;
  • MR: faster scanning to perform extremity MRI.

Future developments in the visualisation and modelling of diagnostic imaging will result in early detection of the disease state and contribute to the patient’s treatment plan.  This personalised approach will encompass PACS (picture archiving and communication system) image storage and transfer using DICOM systems.  These systems combine with emerging web technologies to deliver PACS worldwide to provide access to medical images, interpretations and other related data.  In the future, other technological advances will be in ultrasound imaging.

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