Course Description
The X-ray was discovered on November 8, 1895, and this discovery led to the development and evolution of the field of medical radiography as we currently know it today. When X-rays interact with the human body during a radiographic exposure, they form an image, which is generated based on how these X-rays interact with the body. The attenuation properties of bone, soft tissue, and the air inside the body are very different, resulting in the heterogeneous distribution of X-rays. Understanding the basic concepts of how X-rays are generated, emitted, and how they affect the matter they interact with are some of the building blocks of radiologic imaging.
Radiologic imaging has come a long way since its inception, and digital radiography has largely replaced film-screen analog radiography and continues to drive the growth of radiography services worldwide. Fluoroscopy has also been in clinical use since shortly after the discovery of the X-ray and is widely used in diagnostic, therapeutic, and interventional procedures, as it can provide real-time images of dynamic processes occurring within the body, especially with the use of contrast agents. Together, these modalities now exist as the backbone of modern radiologic imaging.
This book chapter will review how X-rays are generated (including information on electromagnetic radiation, photons, energy variations, cathodes, anodes, and how electrons interact with each), how photons behave when they interact with matter, which include the principles of absorption, the photoelectric effect, and scattering. Various detection methods will also be addressed including imaging intensifiers, their parts, properties, and how they function, as well as flat-panel detectors and sources and types of radiologic noise. Finally, this chapter will cover the physical principles and technical nuances of X-rays, digital radiography, fluoroscopy, and digital subtraction angiography.
Learning Objectives
After reading the content, the participant should be able to:
Categories: Radiography, X-Ray/Radiography/Fluoroscopy, Digital Radiography
In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.
Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 17 out of 22 questions correctly to receive the CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.
Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 2.0 ARRT Category A credits.
This program is approved by AHRA, a Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism (RCEEM), approved by the ARRT to grant Category A CE credit.
Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit.
Texas direct credit.
This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same biennium.
Category | Content Area | Credits |
---|---|---|
Cardiac Interventional | Image Production | 1 |
Computed Tomography | Image Production | 0.5 |
Computed Tomography | Safety | 0.5 |
Nuclear Medicine | Safety | 0.5 |
Radiation Therapy | Safety | 1 |
Radiography | Image Production | 1 |
Radiography | Safety | 0.75 |
Radiologist Assistant | Safety | 1.25 |
Vascular Interventional | Image Production | 1 |
Category | Subcategory | Credits |
---|---|---|
Cardiac Interventional | Image Acquisition and Equipment | 1 |
Computed Tomography | Image Formation | 0.5 |
Computed Tomography | Radiation Safety and Dose | 0.5 |
Nuclear Medicine | Radiation Physics, Radiobiology, and Regulations | 0.5 |
Radiation Therapy | Radiation Physics and Radiobiology | 1 |
Radiography | Equipment Operation and Quality Assurance | 1 |
Radiography | Radiation Physics and Radiobiology | 0.75 |
Radiologist Assistant | Patient Safety, Radiation Protection and Equipment Operation | 1.25 |
Vascular Interventional | Image Acquisition and Equipment | 1 |
Category | Credits |
---|---|
Digital | 1.75 |
Fluoroscopy | 0.25 |
Mammography | 0 |
By Martin Berger, Qiao Yang, and Andreas Maier
ABSTRACT
The X-ray was discovered on November 8, 1895, and this discovery led to the development and evolution of the field of medical radiography as we currently know it today. When X-rays interact with the human body during a radiographic exposure, they form an image, which is generated based on how these X-rays interact with the body. The attenuation properties of bone, soft tissue, and the air inside the body are very different, resulting in the heterogeneous distribution of X-rays. Understanding the basic concepts of how X-rays are generated, emitted, and how they affect the matter they interact with are some of the building blocks of radiologic imaging.
Radiologic imaging has come a long way since its inception, and digital radiography has largely replaced film-screen analog radiography and continues to drive the growth of radiography services worldwide. Fluoroscopy has also been in clinical use since shortly after the discovery of the X-ray and is widely used in diagnostic, therapeutic, and interventional procedures, as it can provide real-time images of dynamic processes occurring within the body, especially with the use of contrast agents. Together, these modalities now exist as the backbone of modern radiologic imaging.
This book chapter will review how X-rays are generated (including information on electromagnetic radiation, photons, energy variations, cathodes, anodes, and how electrons interact with each), how photons behave when they interact with matter, which include the principles of absorption, the photoelectric effect, and scattering. Various detection methods will also be addressed including imaging intensifiers, their parts, properties, and how they function, as well as flat-panel detectors and sources and types of radiologic noise. Finally, this chapter will cover the physical principles and technical nuances of X-rays, digital radiography, fluoroscopy, and digital subtraction angiography.
* This sample course is for reference purposes only. It is not currently available for earning CE credits. To earn ARRT CE credits please subscribe to eRADIMAGING where you will see a complete listing of all active and eligible CE courses.
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