Radiology Terms
Glossary
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A
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ACR - American College of Radiology, a national professional organization consisting of physicians who specialize in radiology.
angioplasty - the use of a small balloon on the tip of a catheter inserted into a blood vessel to open up an area of blockage inside the vessel.
arteriogram (Also called an angiogram.) - an x-ray of the arteries and veins to detect blockage or narrowing of the vessels.
arthrography - a contrast media is injected into a joint capsule to visualize soft tissue pathologies involving joints, often performed with fluoroscopy.
B
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baseline mammography - the first initial radiographic breast examination which is used for comparison with all future mammograms.
barium - a metallic chemical (chalky liquid) used to coat the inside of the organs so that they will show up on an x-ray.
barium x-rays - a type of diagnostic x-ray in which barium is used to diagnose abnormalities of the digestive tract. Barium enema, barium small-bowel enema, and barium swallow are types of barium x-rays.
biopsy - a procedure in which tissue samples are removed (with a needle or during surgery) from the body for examination under a microscope; to determine if cancer or other abnormal cells are present.
brachytherapy - a type of radiation treatment in which the radioactive substance is placed inside the patient as close as possible to the area being treated.
BUN - blood, urea, and nitrogen. It is a kidney function test in which the levels should range between 8 and 25 mg/100ml.
CAD - computer-assisted detection, a use of computerized functions to help in diagnosis.
computed tomography scan (Also called a CT or CAT scan.) - a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called slices), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays.
Contrast or contrast media - A radiopaque substance used during an X-ray exam (or some MRI exams) to provide visual contrast in the pictures of different tissues and organs. Can be given orally or intravenously (by injection).
Coronary angiography - This is a study of the blood vessels which supply the muscle of the heart (coronary arteries). By threading a long narrow flexible catheter through an accessible blood vessel (usually in the groin or arm), the individual coronary arteries are injected with a small quantity of X-ray dye, which helps radiologists look for blockages (stenoses). Cardiac catheterization refers to the technique of performing coronary angiography, whereby catheters are threaded into the heart and coronary arteries.
CCTA – A coronary angiogram that is performed on a CT unit without the need for a catheter into the blood vessels.
diagnostic - any method used to determine the source or cause of a traumatic injury, pathology , or disorder.
diagnostic radiology - the use of various radiology techniques, mostly noninvasive, to diagnose an array of medical conditions. Diagnostic radiology includes the use of x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasound.
digital mammography unit – a unit dedicated breast imaging that uses a CR/DR image receptor system.
Doppler - An ultrasound method of examining blood vessels. No X-rays are involved.
Dye (contrast) - A radiopaque substance used during an X-ray exam to provide contrast in the different tissues and organs. "Dye" usually refers to the contrast media given intravenously.
embolization - the insertion of a substance through a catheter into a blood vessel to stop hemorrhaging, or excessive bleeding.
Enteroclysis – a double-contrast fluoroscopic study in which a catheter is inserted through the stomach and into the terminal duodenum. Contrast media and air or methylcellulose is injected into the catheter. This double contrast effect helps in the diagnosis by increasing visibility.
fluoroscopy - a study of moving body structures, similar to an x-ray "movie." A continuous x-ray beam is passed through the body part being examined, and is transmitted to a TV-like monitor so that the body part and its motion can be seen in detail.
gamma camera - a device used in nuclear medicine to scan patients who have been injected with small amounts of radioactive materials.
gastrostomy tubes - a gastrostomy tube (feeding tube) is inserted into the stomach if the patient is unable to take food by mouth.
Gy - Gray, or rad, radiation absorbed dose. 1 joule (J) of energy absorbed in each kilogram of material.
HIPAA - Health and Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a law to protect patients’ privacy and personal information.
HSG - Hysterosalpingography, A special radiographic procedure where a contrast medium is introduced into the uterine cavity by inserting a catheter into the cervical canal. This procedure demonstrates the uterus and fallopian tubes. Indications may be infertility assessment, patency of the fallopian tubes, defects, or it can be used as a therapeutic device.
interventional radiology - a area of specialty within the field of radiology which uses various radiology techniques (such as x-ray, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasounds) to place wires, tubes, or other instruments inside a patient to diagnose or treat an array of conditions.
intravascular ultrasound - the use of ultrasound inside a blood vessel to better visualize the interior of the vessel in order to detect problems inside the blood vessel.
Intravenous - Into a vein.
intravenous pyelogram (IVP) - a series of x-rays of the kidney, ureters, and bladder with the injection of a contrast dye into the vein - to detect tumors, abnormalities, kidney stones, or any obstructions, and to assess renal blood flow.
Linear accelerator (LINAC) - a device used to create high-energy x-rays for radiation therapy and radiosurgery treatment.
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body.
mammogram - an x-ray of the breast used to detect and diagnose breast disease.
MDCT - Multi-Detector Computed Tomography
Metformin - Medication prescribed for diabetics to help the body respond better to its own insulin and decrease glucose production by the liver, ultimately helping to control a patient's blood sugar level.
* should be stopped at the time of or prior to the procedure.
* should then be withheld for 48 hours after the procedure.
* Once renal function is found to be normal, can be started again.
MRA - Magnetic Resonance Angiography
MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
needle biopsy - a small needle is inserted into the abnormal area in almost any part of the body, guided by imaging techniques, to obtain a tissue biopsy. This type of biopsy can provide a diagnosis without surgical intervention. An example of this procedure is called the needle breast biopsy.
nuclear medicine - a specialized area of radiology that uses very small amounts of radioactive substances to examine organ function and structure.
opacified -Made to be opaque to X-ray irradiation, due to the introduction of contrast material - as in a barium study (Upper GI, Barium Enema), arteriogram, myelogram, etc
PACS - Picture Archiving and Communication System, a computer system that electronically manages images.
positron emission tomography (PET) - in nuclear medicine, a procedure that measures the metabolic activity of cells.
radiologist - a physician specializing in the medical field of radiology.
radiopharmaceutical (Also called a tracer or radionuclide.) - basic radioactively-tagged compound necessary to produce a nuclear medicine image.
Scan - term used to describe the computerized images (pictures) generated by CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine studies. These might be referred to as a "CT scan," "MR scan," "thyroid scan," "bone scan," and so forth.
stent - a tiny, expandable coil that is placed inside a blood vessel at the site of a blockage. The stent is expanded to open up the blockage.
tomography - from the Greek words "to cut or section" (tomos) and "to write" (graphein), in nuclear medicine, it is a method of separating interference from the area of interest by imaging a cut section of the object.
ultrafast CT (computed tomography) scan - a type of radiology diagnostic procedure in which an x-ray beam moves in a circle around the body. This allows many different views of the same organ or structure, and provides much greater detail. The x-ray information is sent to a computer that interprets the x-ray data and displays it in 2-dimensional form on a monitor.
ultrasound - a diagnostic technique which uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs.
Ureterogram - Radiographic examination of the ureters.
Urethrogram - Study of the urethra.
Voiding Cystogram - Radiographic procedure that studies the function of the urinary bladder and its emptying ability. A catheter is introduced into the urethra followed by a contrast medium until the bladder is full. The radiologist then watches the bladder function under fluoroscopic control.
x-ray - a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
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