Digital Radiography

Digital radiography refers to imaging modalities that obtain a digital radiographic image without using film.  This technology is important in veterinary medicine because it offers several advantages over traditional film-bases radiography.  Advantage over film x-rays include improved imaging latitude, fewer retakes ( reduce radiation exposure), access to tele-radiology, and improved patient care through better image quality.

What Happens in Digital Radiography?                                                             

In Digital Radiography X-ray sensors are sued instead of photographic film.  The electronic data can then be viewed on a monitor and/or stored on a computer disk.  This digital technique allows areas of the image to be enlarged, enhanced and the contrast of the image can be adjusted to allow greater visibility.

How Can Digital Radiology Help My Pet?

Using digital radiography a single radiography can be manipulated to improve visualization of bone, muscle, and lung tissues whereas conventional radiographs require three.  This feature alone redices radiation quality to the patient, reduced time for the procedure and cost to the client.  Digital radiography is also instrumental in myelogram.  Under anesthesia, and after a contrast agent is injected into the patient's spinal canal and into the fluid layer surrounding the cord, digital radiography images are captured.  Myelographic  studies provide diagnostic visibility of the spinal cord and its relationship with in the spinal canal.  Changes in the shape of the cord will be indicated by a change in the contrast agent path and shape.

What Can Digital Radiography Help Identify?

In the Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurological Conditions
*  Lumbosacral disease

*  Caudal cervical instability

*  Vertebral tumors

*  Atlandtoaxial subluxation

*  Spinal fractures and compressions

*  Herniated discs

*  Myleograms

*  Vertabral malfunction

*  Screening for degenerative brain and spinal conditions

In the Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-Neurological Conditions

*  Screening for metastatic disease	*  Fractures
*  Cardio enlargement	*  Luxated joints
*  pnuemonia, pulmonary edema, pulmunary hernia	*  Intestinal blockage, torsion, foreign bodies
*  Diaphragmatic hernia	*  Dilatted esophagus
*  Hydronephrosis	*  Arthritis
*  Ascites	*  Gastric dilation vulvulus
*  Abdominal tumors	*  Bladder stones
*  Pregnancy	*  Peritonitis

 

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