Types of examination

Radiography and radiology (X-rays or X-radiation)
Computed Tomography (X-ray CT ) or CAT scan (Computed Assisted Tomography scan)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Ultrasound

"Radiography consists in exposing a part of the body to a small dose of radiation so as to produce an image of internal organs. Some organs with high density (e.g. a spine) are radiopaque while others are radioluscent (e.g. lung tissues).

A SPINE - a backbone

RADIOPAQUE – absorbing radiation (white or grey patches on the image)

RADIOLUSCENT – not absorbing radiation (dark patches on the image)

Some types of X-rays require a liquid called a contrast medium. Barium and iodine are often used as a radiopaque agent to allow organs or tissues to be examined once injected or swallowed or introduced through the anus as an enema.

Radiology is the use of radiation in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer."

A CONTRAST MEDIUM (A CONTRAST AGENT) – a substance used to increase the contrast of structures or fluids within the body

IODEINE /ˈaɪ.ə.diːn/

AN ENEMA /ˈen.ə.mə/ - a treatment for cleaning the bowels by filling them with a liquid

Around a week ago I underwent an X-ray examination and CAT scan in order to have my wisdom tooth pulled out. I will spare you the details of how awful the process of combattng my inflammation was. At least dental extraction was rapid. For the time being, I bear a strong resemblance to a hamster and I am still on my way to a full recovery.

My panoramic dental X-rays were pretty short and a frontal (anteroposterior) and not a lateral (side) view of my mandible was obtained. I stood straight with my hands down facing a photographic plate with my chin pressed to the plate, biting on some plastic item situated in the centre of the X-ray film. The radiographer told me to keep still, to take a deep breath and then to hold my breath. After a few minutes, the examination was over.

A WISDOM TEETH – the third molar at the back of the jaw that is the last to develop

TO PULL OUT / TO EXTRACT A TOOTH - to remove

INFLAMMATION – a red and often swollen area in your body

DENTAL EXTRACTION– the process of removing a tooth

TO BEAR A STRONG RESEMBLANCE TO SB/STH - to look almost the same

X-RAYS + plural verb

FRONTAL = ANTEROPOSTERIOR

LATERAL = SIDE

A MANDIBLE - the lower jaw bone

X-RAY FILM - a length of material on which you can record images

A RADIOGRAPHER - a person who operates an X-rays machine

"CAT scan uses an X-ray source which rotates around the body to produce cross-sectional images. It can take up to 16 simultaneous images (slices). Each slice can be less than 1 millimetre thick, making it possible to find small abnormalities.

The scanner can be used for:

a) diagnosing muscle and bone disorders

b) locating tumours, infections and clots

c) monitoring the progress of malignant diseases and the response to therapy

d) providing accurate guidance for interventional procedures such as biopsies and drainage

CROSS-SECTIONAL - showing the inside of sth by being cut in half

A SLICE - a single-imaged region

A DISORDER - an illness

A CLOT – a lump of thick blood

MALIGNANT - leading to death

INTERVENTIONAL – making a cut or a hole to gain access to the inside of a patient’s body

A BIOPSY - the process of removing and examining a small amount of tissue in order to discover more about an illness

DRAINAGE – the act of removing fluid from the site of an injury or infection

MRI is safer than X-rays because it does not use radiation. It provides more information than CT because the images are more detailed and have more contrast, meaning the differences between dark and light areas are stronger. Unlike CT, the images can be taken on any plane.

MRI is mainly used for imaging the brain and heart, and in oncology. Contraindications include patients with metallic foreign bodies in the orbits and the patients with pacemakers. MRI is also not approved during the first trimester of pregnancy.

A PLANE – any surface of the body seen from an angle

TO IMAGE – to project sth on a screen

CONTRAINDICATIONS – signs that someone should not continue with a particular medicine

A FOREIGN BODY – an object from the outside in the body

ORBITS– round hollow areas surrounding the eyes

A PACEMAKER – an electronic device surgically implanted to regulate heartbeat

Things to remember prior to the MRI:

a) It is important that there is no metal on your clothing.

b) You can eat and drink normally.

c) Depending on the site, you may require an injection.

d) Only the part of the body requested by your doctor will be scanned.

e) To ensure it is appropriate for you to undergo an MRI scan, a completed MRI referral form is required from a referring clinician.

AN INJECTION -the act of using a needle to put a drug into a person's body

TO UNDERGO - to experience something unpleasant

A REFERRAL – the act of directing someone to a different place or person for information, help or action

A CLINICIAN – someone, such as a doctor, who has qualifications in an area of very skilled health work

Ultrasound examination uses high-frequency sound waves to view organs and structures inside the body. The waves are generated and received by a hand-held device called a transducer. The reflected waves are processed by a computer which produces detailed images for a display on a monitor.

HAND-HELD - designed in that way that it can be used easily with one or two hands

A TRANSDUCER – any electronic device that changes one form of energy into another

Ultrasound is safe as it does not employ ionizing radiation like X-rays. It is cheap, quick and non-invasive (no surgical procedure included) but the results are very often unsatisfactory in obese patients.

Things to remember prior to ultrasound:

a) A special gel is applied to your skin to ensure that there are no air pockets between transducer and your body.

b) You will lie on an examination table around 20 minutes.

c) The test usually requires you to have a full bladder."

OBESE - extremely fat in a way that is dangerous for health

AN AIR POCKET – a space of air that prevents the proper flow of energy

A BLADDER – an organ that stores urine

Reference:

Glendinning, Eric H., Howard, Ron “Professional English in Use: Medicine” (2014)