Medical scanning uses specialised and advanced technology and using technical terms in describing what we do is sometimes unavoidable. To help, here is a glossary of some of the common technical terms you’ll come across.
Cells that are alive and functioning.
Tissue that is alive and functioning. In PET scanning, the radiopharmaceutical FDG builds up in areas that are very active, such as cancer cells.
The body’s structure, parts and organs
An examination of arteries and veins using a contrast medium to differentiate them from surrounding organs. The contrast medium is introduced through a catheter to show the blood vessels and the structures they supply, including organs.
A barium enema is a procedure (done through X-ray) for examining the large intestine in which the compound barium sulphate is used.
A medical procedure that involves obtaining a tissue sample for analysis to establish a precise diagnosis.
A bone scan is done to look for abnormalities in the bones. It's usually done in the Nuclear Medicine Department of the hospital. A bone scan can be done to look at a particular joint or bone. In cancer diagnosis, it's more usual to scan the whole body. The scan involves having to have one injection, but apart from that, it's painless.
This is when healthy women are examined to see if breast cancer can be picked up early - usually before there are any symptoms.
See Computed Tomography.
The clinical study and practice of treating the heart.
The smallest unit of living matter, capable of functioning. The human body contains billions of cells all with their own different job.
Pictures of the inside of the chest, mainly of the lungs, taken using high energy rays. Please refer to the Patient Information section on X-ray for further information.
CT stands for Computed Tomography, an imaging technique used to visualise both the soft tissue and bone inside your body. CT uses special x-rays to obtain image data from different angles around the body. A powerful computer is then used to process the information to show a cross-section of body tissues and organs - much like viewing the slices of a loaf of bread. CT imaging can show bones, as well as surrounding tissues such as muscle and blood vessels with great clarity. Using this technique, Radiologists can more easily diagnose problems such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, trauma and musculoskeletal disorders. Please refer to our CT information page for further information.
A senior doctor who takes full responsibility for the clinical care of patients. Most Consultants head a team of junior doctors.
Substance given to the patient, either through a drink or injection, to help areas of the body show up more clearly during a scan.
In imaging, a cross-section allows doctors to see slices of the human body - much like viewing the slices of a loaf of bread.
Intended to overcome disease and promote recovery.
Finding out what is wrong, usually about an illness.
See Electrocardiogram.
Medical test of the heart. Small pads are stuck onto the chest around the heart. Wires are attached to the pads and these connect to a machine that takes an electrical recording of the heart beat. Doctors can examine the trace of the heart beat to see if the heart is working normally.
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