DEFINITION (?)

• X-RAY TECHNOLOGIST

  ·       The practice includes technical application of x-rays in the dx of dse. and injuries in Diagnostic Radiography, Fluoroscopy and Mammography
• RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIST

  ·       The practice includes the technical application of radiation such as

  x-rays, beta ray, gamma rays, ultrasound and radiofrequency.

  ·       Dx and Tx in the following areas of radiography and fluoroscopy.
• DIAGNOSTIC RADIOGRAPHY

  ·   It uses x-rays (radiography) to produce images of the internal parts of the body for Dx purposes. radiographer perform a wide variety of diagnostic x-ray procedures, including examinations of the skeletal system, the chest, and the abdomen.

   
• FLUOROSCOPY

  ·       Viewing the study “live” is necessary.

  ·       Digital images or spot films are

  obtained by the radiologists during the fluoroscopy

  ·       RT assist in operating the machine and positioning of the px.
• Esophagogram 

  – is a study of the esophagus, requires the px to swallow a BaS04 preparations, while digital images or spot films.
• Upper Gastrointestinal Series (UGIS)

  – the px must drink the BaS04 solution while fluoroscopy-controlled images are obtained.

   
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  Ba Enema

  – radiographic examination of the colon, that involves introducing of Ba solution into the colon.

   
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  Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)

  – it involves the use of an iodinated contrast agent injected into the bloodstream through a vein in the arms. Radiographs are obtained at intervals of several minutes.

   
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

  – a contrast medium is injected into the common bile duct after it is located with a fiber-optic scope passed down the esophagus, through stomach, and into the small intestine
• MAMMOGRAPHY

  • Radiographic study of the breast. Because breast tissue has little inherent contrast, high-contrast radiographic film and specially designed cassettes are used.
  •  Breast is compressed to allow for maximum visualization.
  • Early detection of breast cancer
• LITHOTRIPSY 

  ·   procedure destroy stones in the kidney or ureter by using sonic shock waves
• BONE DENSITOMETRY (BD)

  • is most often used to dx osteoporosis, a cond. that is often recognized in menopausal women but can also occur in men.
• MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY / ULTRASONOGRAPHY

  ·   the visualization of structures of the body by recording the reflections of pulses

  ·   High-frequency sound (ultrasound) waves directed into the tissue.
• COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT)

  ·   is the recording of the predetermined plane in the body using an x-ray beam that is measured, recorded, and then processed

  ·   visualize px anat. from various sectional planes.
• MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI)

  ·   uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves along with a computer to generate sectional images of px anat.
• INTERVENTIONAL RADIOGRAPHY

  ·    These procedures involve the injection of iodinated contrast media for diagnosing dse. of the heart and blood vessels.
• Angiography

   – is the term for radiologic examination of the blood vessels after injection of a contrast medium.

   
• Cardiac catheterization 

  – placing a catheter into one of the chambers of the heart.

  
  

  -   this catheter then can be directed into one or both of the two main coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart itself. 
• Coronary arteriography 

  – an extremely valuable tool in diagnosing atherosclerosis, which can block the coronary arteries and cause MI.

   
• Angioplasty 

  –   treatment of a blocked blood vessel

  –  is used to treat px w/o the need for invasive open-heart surgery. Blood vessels are also treated by placing a stent in the vessel to physically keep it open.

   

  –  special catheter with a balloon tip, effective Tx of atherosclerosis is possible.
• RADIATION THERAPY / ONCOLOGY

  –   administers radiation tx to px according to the rx and instructions of radiation oncologist.

   
• RADIATION THERAPY / ONCOLOGY

  ·   Involves the use of high-energy ionizing radiation to treat primary malignant tumors (cancer).

  –   Administering a planned course of prescribed radiation Tx using high-tech therapeutic equipment and accessories 
• NUCLEAR MEDICINE

  • Involves procedures that require the use of radioactive materials for Dx or therapeutic purposes.

  • usually involve the imaging of a px’s organs – such as liver, heart or brain

   
• Radiopharmaceutical

  – are usually administered intravenously but can be administered orally or by inhalation.
• POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY 

  (PET SCAN)

  • similar to nuclear medicine radioisotope emission procedures. Both methods produce images that represent the distribution of the radiotracer throughout the body.
• Radioactive compounds or “tracers” are administered to a patient by injection or inhalation.

   
• MRI

   As a tech you’re responsible for obtaining the best images possible. Your px might be in pain or distress, or they might feel claustrophobic. You’ll provide support while talking patients through the procedure and letting them know what to expect.
• RADIATION THERAPY

   

  • Radiologists and radiation oncologists often prescribe this for px who have cancer or other serious diseases. 

   

  • You’ll be part of an interdisciplinary team of oncologists, medical physicists, and oncology nurses. You’ll work c the team to plan and administer Tx, and you’ll help monitor each px’s cond.
• RADIOGRAPHY

  • Most RT enter this role, you’ll capture images of pxs’ internal organs, soft tissues, and bones using X-ray equipment. 
• VASCULAR SONOGRAPHY

   

  • You’ll use ultrasound equipment to produce images of patients’ veins and arteries using ultrasound. 
• Supporting category prerequisite: You’ll need to have ARRT credentials in the appropriate supporting discipline before you can pursue a credential using the post-primary eligibility pathway. In some cases, you may earn your supporting credential through another organization.

   
• • Ethics: You must maintain compliance with the ARRT Standards of Ethics.
• • Structured education: You must complete 16 hours of structured education activities.

   
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  • Clinical experience: You must perform and document a specific number of various clinical procedures.

   
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  • Examination: You must complete and pass the ARRT exam for the specific post-primary discipline you’re pursuing
• BONE DENSITOMETRY

  • As a tech, you’ll create images using specialized X-ray equipment, which can help doctors discover issues with pxs’ bone health.

  • If someone is at risk of low bone density or osteoporosis, or shows signs of subtle bone loss, doctors must be able to verify the cond. before making tx recommendations

   

   
• BREAST SONOGRAPHY

   

  • A specialized procedure often used to follow up an abnormal mammogram or clinical exam.

  • As a tech, you’ll use a transducer on the px’s breast to produce ultrasound images. 
• Breast sonograms are noninvasive — and they don’t use radiation
• CARDIAC INTERVENTIONAL RADIOGRAPHY

   

  • As a tech, you’ll assist physicians c minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to help dx and tx heart and blood vessel dse. w/o surgery.

  work c sophisticated fluoroscopic equipment to take images of the heart and the blood vessels surrounding it. You might assist with procedures such as angioplasty, stenting, thrombolysis, embolization, ablation, and biopsies.
• COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

  
  

  • As a technologist, you’ll perform scans on

  all parts of the body for a variety of reasons. 

  
  

  • Some needs imaging to dx a dse. or an acute cond. 

  
  

  • Others need this scans in emergencies, so physicians can understand the extent of injuries. While you perform the procedures, your skills and confidence will be critical as you balance image quality with radiation dose.