(1)
Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
11.1 X-Rays
It uses ionising radiation.
The density of tissue is proportional to the degree to which the beam is attenuated.
It is easy and less expensive means of assessing bone disease.
Limited use in soft tissue pathology and cartilage pathology.
Significant radiation exposure is another limiting factor.
Discography: primarily used to localise intervertebral disc-related pain. Water-soluble contrast medium is injected into the nucleus pulposus. X-ray images may show fissures and defects in annulus fibrosus.
11.2 Fluoroscopy
Mobile X-ray source. Consists of C-arm, image intensifier, control panel with foot switch and CT image display system.
Can be used continuously or for short durations.
Contrast and radio-opaque agents can be used.
Can be rotated to get images at different angles.
Limitations: patients not able to lie flat and obesity (poor image quality).
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