This document provides an overview and procedures for common medical imaging tests, including MRI, PET/CT, X-ray, and ultrasound. For each test, it describes what the test measures, how it produces images, and the basic steps a patient will undergo. The procedures generally involve the patient being placed in the machine, it being turned on to capture images, and the images then being analyzed by a doctor to inform the patient of results.

1. PLEASE CLICK ON AN IMAGE BELOW
MRI PET/CT scan X-Ray Ultrasound
References

2. OVERVIEW PATIENT PROCEDURE
 Magnetic Resonance Imaging 1. Patient lays on table, which is then
 Measured in a magnetic maneuvered into MRI
current, known as Tesla 2. Machine is turned on and magnets
 Scans for cancers, broken rotate
bones, blockages, blood flow, brain 3. Magnets align hydrogen molecule to
activity get image (no adverse affects on
 Produces Image seen below: patient)
4. Scan takes from 30 minutes – 2
hours
5. Patient is removed and the doctor
will analysis the scan.
6. Doctor will inform patient of scan
results
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3. OVERVIEW PATIENT PROCEDURE
 PET- Positron Emission Tomography 1. Patient lays on table, which is then
 CT – Computed tomography maneuvered into PET/CT
 Uses a form of x-rays and a radioactive
liquid, known as a contrast (used as a
2. Machine is turned on and x-rays
tracer) are made
 Measures the amount of tracer in an area 3. X-rays show the amount of tracer
 Shows body function and anatomy in an area to make the scan.
 Used to find cancers, blockages, blood 4. Scan takes from 10 – 30 minutes
flow, and foreign structures
5. Patient is removed and the doctor
 Produces a scan as seen below:
will analysis the scan.
6. Doctor will inform patient of scan
results
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4. OVERVIEW PATIENT PROCEDURE
 Uses X-rays, a form of radiation 1. Patient is placed between X-ray
 Lead vest or apron is required to limit machine and fluorescent screen
x-ray exposure (makes “shadow” on screen)
 Creates a “shadow” on a fluorescent 2. Patient is given a lead vest or apron
screen to minimize amount of x-ray
 Shows an image of bones exposure
 Used to detect broken bones 3. Technician heads to adjacent room
 Produces image seen below:
and turns on X-ray
4. X-ray machine produces x-rays to
create the shadow for the image
5. Image appears on computer screen
showing bones
6. Doctor makes transparent copy for
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5. OVERVIEW PATIENT PROCEDURE
 Uses sound waves to produce image 1. Patient lays down and lifts up
 Has 3 parts: computer, connector wire, shirt
and scanner 2. Technician applies water based
 Mostly used for pregnancies, but shows gel, which amplifies sound
organs inside body waves
 Used to find babies and abdominal 3. Technician then places the
problems (blockages, cancer, and blood scanner on the desired area
flow) 4. The technician then pushes a
 Produces image seen below: button on a scanner to produce a
sound wave
5. Steps 3 and 4 may be repeated
multiple times to create a 3-D
image
6. Technician will analyze and
explain image on screen
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6.  "Inforadiologie.ca - Examen Du Corps Par Résonance Magnétique."
Inforadiologie.ca - Home Page. 2004. Web. 03 Dec. 2011.
<http://www.radiologyinfo.ca/default.aspx?page=50>.
 "Mayo Clinic Medical Information and Tools for Healthy Living -
MayoClinic.com.“ Mayo Clinic. Web. 05 Dec. 2011.
<http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/medical/IM03977>.
 "Foreign Body Chest X-Ray - RadRounds Radiology Network." RadRounds
Radiology Network - Connecting Radiology for
Networking, Collaboration, and Education. 24 Apr. 2010. Web. 05 Dec. 2011.
<http://www.radrounds.com/photo/foreign-body-chest-xray>.
 "Pregnancy Ultrasound: Ultrasound During Pregnancy." Early Signs of
Pregnancy – Pregnancy Symptoms. Web. 05 Dec. 2011.
<http://www.pregnancycheck.com/pregnancy-ultrasound.html>.
 "Brain MRI Cost." MRI Cost. Web. 05 Dec. 2011.
<http://www.mricost.net/brain-mri-cost/>.
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