|
Betatron |
Machine used in
radiotherapy to deliver a dose of radiation to a patient. |
|
Brachytherapy |
Radiation therapy
using an implanted radioisotope radiation source (brachy means short). |
|
Cineradiography |
Use of motion
picture techniques to record a series of x-ray images. |
|
Cobalt-60 |
A radioactive
substance used in radiotherapy. |
|
Computed
tomography (CT) |
Diagnostic x-ray
procedure whereby a cross-section image of a specific body segment is
produced. |
|
Contrast
studies |
Materials
(contrast media) are injected to obtain contrast with surrounding
tissues when shown on the x-ray film. |
|
External beam
Radiation |
Radiation applied
using a distant source. |
|
Fluorescene |
The emission of
glowing light that results from exposure to and absorption of radiation
from x-rays. |
|
Fluoroscopy |
The process of
using x-rays to produce a fluorescent image on a screen. |
|
Gamma rays |
High-energy rays
emitted by radioactive substances. |
|
Gray |
Unit of absorbed
radiation dose (equal to 100 rad). |
|
Half-life |
Time required for
a radioactive substance to lose half its radioactivity by
disintegration. |
|
Interstitial
therapy |
Radioisotopes are
surgically inserted into a tumor (-stital means to set). |
|
Interventional
Radiology |
Therapeutic
procedures that are performed by a radiologist. |
|
Intracavitary
therapy |
Radioisotopes are
placed within the body cavity adjacent to a tumor. |
|
In vitro |
A process, test,
or procedure in which something is measured or observed outside a living
organism. |
|
Ionization |
The separation of
stable substances into charged particles called ions. |
|
Irradiation |
Administering
radiation treatment to a patient (ir-stands for in- meaning into).q |
|
Lethal |
Pertaining to that
which is deadly or fatal |
|
Linear
accelerator |
Machine that
delivers radiation therapy. |
|
Magnetic
resonance
Imaging |
A magnetic field
and radio waves are used to form sagittal, coronal, and axial images of
the body. |
|
Megavoltage |
High-energy
radiation generated by a machine and used in curative x-ray therapy for
cancer. |
|
Nuclear
medicine |
Medical specialty
that studies the uses of radioactive substances (radionuclides) in
diagnosis and treatment of disease. |
|
Orthovoltage |
Low-energy
radiation used in palliative radiation therapy and superficial skin
cancers. |
|
Palliative |
Relieving
symptoms, but not curing |
|
Positron
emission
tomography
(PET) |
Radioactive substances are given
intravenously and then emit positrons, which create a cross-sectional
image of the metabolism of the body, representing local concentration of
the radioactive substance. |
|
Rad |
Radiation absorbed
dose; a unit of absorbed radiation in the body. |
|
Radiation
oncology |
Treatment of
tumors using high-energy radiation. Also called radiotherapy of
radiation therapy. |
|
Radioimmunoassay |
Test that combines
the use of radioactive chemicals and antibodies to detect minute
quantities of substance in a patient’s blood. |
|
Radioisotope |
A radioactive form
of a substance; radio nuclide. |
|
Radiology |
Medical specially
concerned with the study of x-rays and their use in diagnosis of
disease; includes other forms of energy, such as ultrasound and magnetic
waves. |
|
Radiolucent |
Permitting the
passage of most x-rays. Radiopaque structures appear white on the x-ray
film. |
|
Radiopharmaceutical |
A radioactive drug
(radio nuclide plus chemical) that is administered safely for diagnostic
and therapeutic purposes. |
|
Roentgenology |
Study of x-rays;
radiology. |
|
Scan |
A general term for
images of organs, parts, or transverse sections of the body produced in
various ways. Most frequently used to describe images obtained from
ultrasound, trace studies, of computed tomography. |
|
Scintillation
scanner |
Machine used to
detect radiopharmaceuticals in the body for diagnostic imaging
Scintilla/o means spark. |
|
Single-proton
Emission
computed
Tomography (SPECT) |
A radioactive
tracer substance is injected intravenously and a computer is used to
create a three dimensional image. |
|
Tagging |
Attaching a
radionuclide to a chemical and following its course in the body. |
|
Tomography |
Diagnostic
radiographic technique in which a series of pictures are taken at
different depths of an organ. |
|
Tracer studies |
Radionuclides
technique that projects and retrieves high-frequency sound waves as they
migrate through the body. |
|
Ultrasound |
Diagnostic
technique that projects and retrieves high-frequency sound waves as they
migrate through the body. |
|
Uptake |
The rate of
absorption of a radionuclide into an organ or tissue |
|
Ventilation/perfusion
Studies |
Radio
pharmaceutical is inhaled (ventilation) and injected (perfusion) and its
passage through the respiratory tract is imaged. |