Types of Medical Scanners

Medical imaging refers to a wide range of techniques used in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. These images may include X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound images, and more

Medical scanners are used to produce pictures of the human body.  Healthcare professionals utilise these images to evaluate and assist in the diagnosis of a disease state. This allows for the development of a personalised treatment plan for the patient.  In addition, medical imaging is also used to monitor patients for any future medical difficulties that may develop over time.  This is in conjunction with regular health screening programmes.

Since the discovery of X-rays, radiologists can image the human body in sophisticated detail with a wide array of medical imaging scanners.  These modalities include computed tomography (CT scanner), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scanner), positron emission tomography (PET scanner), and ultrasound scanner, amongst other techniques.

Healthcare organisations use screening programmes, such as advanced positron emission mammography (PEM), to detect breast cancer.  The most popular and widely used imaging modality is ultrasound, which can be used to examine the liver and kidneys, muscles, and joints.

Currently, medical imaging plays a vital role in the evaluation of various heart conditions through cardiac imaging. This article aims to give patients a brief outline of the different medical imaging modalities which are used in hospitals and healthcare organisations.

X-rays are a type of medical imaging that uses electromagnetic radiation to create images of the inside of the body

What is an X-ray?

In 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Röentgen was working in his laboratory at Würzburg University in Germany when he observed crystals near a high-voltage cathode-ray tube beginning to glow.  He concluded that a form of energy was being generated by the cathode-ray tube -which was able to penetrate the nearby paper – causing the crystals to glow.  Röentgen named the unknown energy ‘X-radiation’.

X-rays are now a general medical diagnostic procedure used to obtain images inside the human body. The X-ray procedure only takes a few minutes – with the significant advantage of this imaging technique being that the X-ray machine does not enclose the human body – and therefore is able to limit anxiety in people suffering from claustrophobia.

Diagnostic X-ray imaging of the human skeleton is commonly used to ascertain whether any bones are damaged or broken.  Also, in dentistry, X-rays are useful for determining whether treatment is required and evaluating the teeth’ health.  In general, X-rays have been used to guide surgeons through operational procedures; for example, in the detection of bone tumours.

CT scans (computed tomography) are a type of medical imaging that uses X-rays and computer technology to create detailed, cross-sectional images of the bod

What is a CT scan?

The CT scanner is able to create an internal image of the human body by using a combination of X-rays and computers.  Ultimately, the CT scanner is an advanced X-ray machine that can produce 3-D images of soft tissue inside the body.  This is in contrast to planer X-ray machines which only generate 2-D images and can be used to detect pneumonia and certain cancers.

Furthermore, the CT scanner can imagine several parts of the human body, including the skeleton, internal organs and blood vessels.  Moreover, CT scanning is mostly used for the brain, neck, spine and chest.  Another important use of the CT scanner is to locate tumours and broken bones within the patient.

However, an X-ray scan is sometimes inconclusive; therefore, the CT scanner is used to aid in further diagnosis. The CT scanning process involves the patient resting on a movable horizontal bed, which travels through the entrance of the scanner, with the gantry containing the X-ray units rotating around cross-sections of the body. At this stage, the patient is advised to remain still in order to obtain clear CT images.

During the scanning procedure, the radiologist will be in an adjoining room to operate the scanner and be shielded from the radiation.  The CT scan can take up to 20 minutes – depending on the condition of the patient – and a computer subsequently analyses the scans.  Also, CT scanning is a non-invasive, pain-free technique.

MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging) are a type of medical imaging that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body

What is an MRI scan?

Magnetic resonance imaging, known as an MRI scan, is a technique to produce cross-sectional images of the human body.  CT and MRI produce high-quality images that enable healthcare professionals to evaluate the disease state in the patient. 

MRI is used to scan the brain and spinal cord; for example, in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and other neurological conditions. The MRI scanner is also used for the skeleton, heart, blood vessels, and internal organs.  The MRI scanner surrounds the whole body, which is in contrast to the CT scanner. The process involves the patient lying on a movable bed which slowly transports into a ‘cylinder,’ with a patient-friendly entry diameter of at least 60 cm. 

The patient will then be subjected to a strong magnetic field and a sequence of radio waves to create the images.  While the patient is in the MRI scanner, the radiographer will be in an adjacent viewing room and in contact with the patient.  The MRI scan can take up to 90 minutes and is a much noisier machine than the CT scanner.  Hence, the patient will be given ear protection.

There are several advantages of having an MRI scan – as opposed to a CT scan – primarily because X-ray radiation is not involved.  Therefore, it remains a safe procedure that is suitable for use on pregnant women. Since MRI uses strong magnetic fields, it is essential for the patient to notify healthcare professionals about shunts, pacemakers and any metal objects within the body.

In some cases, patients will be offered an open MRI scanning procedure instead of a closed system. These open scanners will still provide high-quality imaging but are unsuitable for cardiac and breast imaging.  The main benefit of the open MRI scanner is for patients who experience anxiety or claustrophobia.  The patient in the open MRI scanner will be more comfortable, relaxed, and able to remain still, allowing the radiographer to obtain high-quality scans.

PET scan (positron emission tomography) is a type of medical imaging that uses a small amount of radioactive material to produce three-dimensional images of the body's metabolic activity

What is a PET scan?

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is used to create 3-D images of the human body.  These scanners are mostly located in the Nuclear Medicine Departments of hospitals and healthcare providers.  The PET scanner can be combined with CT to produce images of the body’s internal workings.

A whole-body PET scan is used on cancer patients to detect the disease’s progression and evaluate the patient’s response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.  These PET scans are also used in the planning of certain types of surgery; for example, brain or heart operations. Furthermore, PET imaging can be used to help in the diagnosis of dementia by evaluating brain function.

When a patient is offered a PET scan, they will be injected with a radiotracer.  The majority of patients will receive a radiotracer called FDG (18F-fluorodeoxyglucose), which is injected into the arm, emitting radiation over a specific time frame.

The radiation emitted is detected by the PET scanner: this creates the images and will also indicate the level of radiation accumulating inside the body. Accordingly, if no FDG levels are indicated, that would specify normal body function within that particular region of the body.FDG is similar to glucose; the cancer cells will take this radiotracer up faster than normal cells. 

Therefore, by analysing the PET scans for FDG accumulation, the type of cancer can be identified and tracked throughout the human body.  A typical PET scan can take up to 30 minutes to complete.  Furthermore, the PET scanner can be used to investigate metabolic changes at the cellular level in various organs or tissues.  This would be more of a challenge with CT or MRI scanners.

Ultrasound scans are a type of medical imaging that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the body

What is an ultrasound scan?

An ultrasound scanner produces images by passing high-frequency waves into the human body. Ultrasound is widely used to obtain images of unborn children in real-time.  They are also used by surgeons – for specific procedures – to help them in the diagnosis of the patient.  Ultrasound systems work by using a probe capable of emitting high-frequency sound waves.  The sound waves reflect off various organs and surrounding tissues to create echoes, which bounce back to the probe to form 2-D or 3-D images in real-time.  The scanning process can last up to 45 minutes and is performed externally and internally.

Accordingly, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an invasive procedure to investigate gastrointestinal and lung diseases.  The EUS imaging technique can be used to find the causes of abdominal or chest pain. EUS can be used with other diagnostic tests, such as CT and MRI scans, to evaluate colon, oesophagus, lung, pancreas, stomach and rectum cancers.  The main advantage of ultrasound is that there are no patient after-effects, and normal activities can be resumed. 

Mobile scanners refer to portable or handheld devices used for medical imaging that can be easily transported and used in a variety of settings.

Mobile Scanners

It is important to address the rising demand for medical imaging and provide the advanced technologies that patients require.  Accordingly, there is an increase in demand from the private sector and the NHS for mobile scanning. These portable scanners aim to improve diagnosis and deliver quality patient care.  Essentially, these units help reduce hospital waiting lists and patient waiting times.  Unfortunately, some hospitals do not provide a broad range of medical imaging services.  Nevertheless, there is a need for everybody in society to access high-quality diagnostic services in order to improve patient treatment care plans.  Mobile imaging services can help meet the hospitals’ specific short and long-term requirements.  These facilities can incorporate CT, MRI, Cardiac Cath Labs, X-ray, DEXA scanning, and PET-CT imaging, amongst others.

You Are Here: Home » medical scanners

Tags: Computed Tomography, DEXA, Human Body, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Medical Imaging
Open Medscience