37. X-ray and CT PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

37. X-ray and CT

A	Radiography and radiology Radiography involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose or radiation to produce an image of the internal organs. Organs with high density such as the ribs and spine are radiopaque, meaning they do not absorb radiation, and appear white or light grey on the image. Lung tissue is radiolucent – absorbs radiation – and appears dark on the image. Before some types of X-rays, patients are given a liquid called a contrast medium, such as barium and iodine, which is radiopaque and allows the organ or tissue it fills to be examined. The contrast medium may be swallowed, introduced through the anus as an enema, or given as an injection. Radiology is the use of radiation in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer.
B	X-ray examination The chest X-ray is the commonest diagnostic X-ray examination. Normally a frontal (anteroposterior) view is obtained. The patient stands facing the photographic plate with the chest pressed to the plate, with hands on hip and elbows pushed out in front. The radiographer, the technician who takes the X-ray, asks the patient not to move, then to breathe in deeply and not to breathe out. This makes a blurred, unclear X-ray image less likely and improves the quality of the image, as it is easier to see abnormalities in air-filled (inflated) lungs than in deflated lungs. Keep still. Now, take a deep breath and hold your breath. For a side, or lateral view, the patient is asked to stand sideways to the photographic plate with arms raised. A chest X-ray may be repeated at intervals to track for any changes. These repeated examinations are called serial chest X-rays.
C	Computed Tomography Here is an extract for a hospital’s press release.

EXERCISES

37.1	Choose the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence. Look at A and B above to help you. 1 In radiography, barium is used as a contrast ______________ (image/medium). 2 Tissue which absorbs radiation and appears dark on an X-ray is ______________ (radiolucent /radiopaque) 3 An ______________ (enema/injection) is liquid introduced into the bowel by way of the anus.
37.2	Complete the words. Each begins with radio. Look at A and B above to help you. 1 Using radiation to diagnose and treat disease is radio _________________. 2 Using radiation to make images is radio _________________. 3 Using radiation to provide treatment is radio _________________.
37.3	Complete the radiographer’s instructions. Look at B above to help you. Please stand (1) ______________ this board. Put your hands on the back of your hips and your elbows forward. I’ll help you. (2) ______________ your elbows (3) ______________.
37.4	Complete the table with words from B and C above.

Answer key