Computed Tomography

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Conventional x-ray and computed tomography are remarkably alike in the aspect that they can create x-radiation, produce similar images of human anatomy, and have the same x-radiation characteristics. However, their dimensional image capacity, radiation output, and study selection places both diagnostic imaging machines in two different spectrums.

Conventional x-ray has many branches and modalities such as Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Interventional Radiography, Fluoroscopy and, Computed Tomography. However, in this essay we are going to focus on ordinary X-ray and Computed Tomography (CT).

One of the greatest similarities and distinction of both diagnostic imaging producing machines is their composition. Both …show more content…
There are five characteristics of x-radiation that these machines share. The following are: 1- Falls within the electromagnetic spectrum. 2- Diverges from a point of origin. 3- It travels in a straight line. 4- Capable of producing biological changes in living tissues. 5– Capable of ionizing materials, causing chemical and electrical changes. Christopher Crockett describes the electromagnetic spectrum as “the term used by scientists to describe the entire range of light that exists. From radio waves to gamma rays”. Once the electrons interact with Anode (previously described as the positive point of the X-ray tube), they become photons. This interaction makes them bounces from the anode just like throwing a ball towards a wall; the photons will divert in different directions. After their diversion, they travel in a straight line until they come in contact with living tissue. As a consequence of radiation coming into contact with living tissue, biological changes are possible. Unless the body can correct these biological changes, cancer can be induced by cell mutations. To summarize the ionization of materials, causing chemical and electrical changes, a photon can randomly strike any atom in the body and change its atomic
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