Page 20 - A Practical Guide to Equine Radiography
P. 20
VetBooks.ir CHAPTER 1
How to get the most from
your X-ray system
What determines the success of a • Using imaging as a ‘fishing exercise’ is not a
diagnostic imaging procedure? good idea, since most changes observed on
A diagnostic imaging procedure is considered images may or may not be of clinical signifi-
successful if it aids in getting the correct diagno- cance and their clinical meaning can only be
sis. This is influenced by several factors – apart appreciated in conjunction with the clinical
from the size and type of lesion which cannot findings.
be influenced by the investigator: it includes • An exception is pre-purchase and pre-sales
the correct choice of modality, the quality radiographs, where an attempt is made to use
of the image and the expertise of the person radiography as a predictor for future sound-
interpreting the images. ness and performance.
Correct choice of modality: when does Basic principles of the underlying
taking radiographs make sense? physics of radiographs
Radiographs are indicated to: Understanding how radiographs are produced
and what radiographs can show/not show will
• confirm a clinically suspected diagnosis help to make the correct decision as to their use.
• assess the severity of a disease
• exclude other pathological conditions
• assist in surgery planning How are X-rays produced?
• monitor the progress of disease. • X-rays are electromagnetic waves from the
high-energy end of the electromagnetic spec-
Please bear in mind the following. trum (visible light or radio waves are part of
the same spectrum, but of lower energy and
• No imaging technique can replace the clini- different wave length).
cal examination! Radiographic findings do • X-rays are produced when fast-moving elec-
not indicate pain! trons collide with matter. This happens in
• The clinical findings need to guide radiog- an X-ray tube that houses a cathode and an
raphy, e.g. a wound, swelling or positive anode. By heating up the cathode, a cloud
regional analgesia need to point to an area. of electrons (negatively charged particles) is
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