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Unit 21
Assignment 1
Non-ionising and ionising radiation
Non-ionising radiation
MRI
Principles (what is it?)
MRI is a non-invasive imaging technique that creates detailed images of the human
body in three dimensions. Many diseases are diagnosed and tracked with it. It is based
on cutting-edge technology that excites and detects changes in the rotational axis of
protons in the water that makes up biological tissues. Radiation that does not carry
enough energy to entirely remove an electron from an atom or molecule is known as
non-ionising radiation. The phrase "non-ionising radiation" (NIR) refers to a portion of
the electromagnetic spectrum that includes electromagnetic fields (EMFs) (power
frequencies, microwaves, and radio frequencies).
How is it produced?
We map hydrogen characteristics to obtain images within our patient using MRI, which
uses radio frequency electromagnetic waves to map magnetism within our patient. The
mid-sagittal, axial/transverse, and coronal planes are used in MRI acquisition. Hydrogen
is our goal since it has an odd number of protons and is abundant in the human body.
Electromagnetic force is generated when hydrogen atoms spin/rotate, giving them a
spinning charge. Magnetic flux runs from north to south, making the magnetic
distribution resemble small, barbed magnets. Hydrogen has two energy states: spin up
(lower energy) and spin down (greater energy), which cancel each other out. However,
once the patient is placed in the MRI machine's magnetic field, you can show the
,exponential alignment of all magnetic forces in the hydrogen atoms, as well as a flanked
alignment of them. Net magnetic vector is the term given to this alignment. Different
biological factors will determine the amount of hydrogen that we can measure, for
example, liver tissue, brain tissue, and bone marrow all have different amounts of
hydrogen in them.
Diagram
Explain the medical uses for diagnosis. Justify why the non-ionising radiation is
suitable for this use.
Cardiac (Heart):
Heart disorders can be diagnosed through MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), which
measures the anatomy and function of the heart chambers, heart valves, arteries, and
surrounding structures such as the pericardium.
It can also aid in the diagnosis of a wide range of cardiovascular problems, including
tumours, infections, and inflammatory illnesses. MRI can help to assess whether
coronary artery disease has affected the heart muscle in ways such as restricted blood
flow and scarring after a heart attack.
Musculoskeletal:
MRI can aid in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal problems such as degenerative
arthritis, meniscal tears, ligament and tendon tears, or rotator cuff and labrum tears,
fractures, spinal disc abnormalities such as herniated disc, infections such as
osteomyelitis, work-related disorders caused by repeated strain, vibration, or forceful
,impact, tumours involving soft tissues around the joints and extremities, pain, swelling,
or bleeding in the joints and extremities, and Prior to surgery, adolescents with
congenital and idiopathic scoliosis, as well as infants with a tethered spinal cord . It can
aid in determining the spinal cord's integrity following trauma, sports-related injuries,
congenital deformities of the limbs in children, including newborns, and developmental
abnormalities of the extremities in children, including infants.
Breast:
MRI in the breast can be used as screening in women at high risk of breast cancer, it
can also be used to determine the extent of cancer after a new diagnosis of breast
cancer, it can tell us how large the cancer is and whether it involves the underlying
muscle, if there are other cancers in the same breast and whether there is an
unsuspected cancer in the opposite breast or if there are any abnormally large lymph
nodes in the armpit, which can be a sign that the cancer has spread to that site. It can
also be used to further evaluate hard to assess abnormalities seen on mammography,
MRI can be used to definitively determine if the abnormality needs biopsy or can safely
be left alone.
Body:
Body MRI can be used to diagnose malignancies in the chest, abdomen, or pelvis, as
well as liver illnesses such cirrhosis and bile duct and pancreatic anomalies. It can also
aid in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease and
ulcerative colitis, as well as cardiac abnormalities such as congenital heart disease,
blood vessel anomalies, and vascular inflammation (vasculitis).
Justification:
MRI scans capture images of inside your body by using a powerful magnet and radio
waves. They are used by doctors to diagnose everything from torn ligaments to cancer.
It is quite beneficial to use MRI to examine various parts of the body, MRI uses non-
ionizing radiation which means that it provides for non-invasive examination of the
structure and function of the human body without the hazards associated with ionising
radiation imaging MRI has the ability to obtain acquisition in 3 different planes giving us
, a better understanding of the problems that the patient can have, and it can show high
detail of tissue and organs better than a CT (Computerized Tomography). MRI,
although it is an extremely useful technique, that has its drawbacks, MRI is not suitable
for people with metal implants such as pacemakers etc., it also is contraindicated for
claustrophobic people as there is not a lot of space available inside the MRI, and it is
not suitable for pregnant women as we do not know the effects it can have on the fetus.
MRI can also take a long time to scan the parts of the body. Nonetheless, MRI has
more advantages than disadvantages as it is used in a lot of different areas of the body
to diagnose and provide treatment to the patients while having minimal side effects on
the human body.
Explain the medical uses for treatment. Justify why the non-ionizing radiation is
suitable for this use.
Cardiac (Heart):
MRI is used in heart treatment to aid in the planning of a patient's treatment for
cardiovascular disorders, as well as to track the progression of specific disorders over
time. It can also be used to assess the impact of surgical alterations, particularly in
patients with congenital heart disease, and to assess the structure and function of the
heart and blood arteries in children and adults with congenital heart disease.
Musculoskeletal:
MRI is used in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders to track the progression of
specific conditions over time and to help plan a patient's treatment. It can help with the
detection of congenital deformities of the limbs in children, including newborns, and
developmental abnormalities of the extremities in children, including infants, as well as
the monitoring of the spinal cord's integrity following trauma and the evaluation of
congenital deformities of the limbs in children, including newborns.
Breast:
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