Unit 6. Diagnostic procedures

In the 20th century the quality of medical care was transformed. Newborns, infants, children, teens, and young adults with a wide variety of special needs receive diagnostic services in the Children’s Diagnostic Centers. The centers provide a full range of imaging services including ultrasound, radiographic imaging, CT and MRI. An experienced team of board-certified pediatric radiologists perform and interpret imaging studies. They use the latest equipment and techniques specially designed or adapted for pediatric use.

In the 1970s magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology transformed the field of nuclear medicine. Nuclear Medicine is a medical specialty that uses radioactive substances combined with imaging techniques. MRI enables doctors to detect disorders in the earliest stages — often before significant organ or joint damage has occurred. In current medical practice, MRI is used for detecting the narrowing of blood vessels. It can show the spread of cancer cells to the bone and a degenerative brain disorder. To produce an image, a patient is given (by mouth or injection) a radioactive substance that is chemically drawn to a specific organ, bony structure, or tissue. MRI is risk free except for patients with cardiac pacemakers or patients with inner ear transplants.

Computed Tomography (CT) is a medical technology that uses X- rays and computers to produce three-dimensional images of the human body. Doctors analyze the detailed views of the body's soft tissues, such as blood vessels, muscle tissue, organs and the brain. CT is also commonly used to diagnose disorders involving the chest, abdomen, spine and pelvis. CT may be used to determine the location and size of a cancerous tumor. The patient may be asked to drink a liquid that makes internal organs more clearly visible in the CT scan.

Another medical diagnostic technique is Ultrasound Imaging, in which very high frequency sound is directed into the body. Ultrasound can be used to examine many parts of the body. The best application is in obstetrics. It is used to diagnose both the age and health of the developing fetus. It is also used to detect tumors, damage, or abnormalities in the liver, kidney, ovaries, eyes, and other organs. This technique cannot be used to examine the bones or lungs.

New vocabulary:

1. ultrasound – ультразвук

2. board-certified – сертифицированный

3. to use the latest equipment and techniques – применять новейшее оборудование и методики

4. nuclear medicine - ядерная медицина

5. the narrowing of blood vessels – сужение кровеносных сосудов

6. to produce an image - чтобы сделать снимок, изображение

7. to be drawn to a specific organ – доставляться к определенному органу

8. except for - за исключением

9. cardiac pacemaker - электронный стимулятор сердца, водитель ритма

10. Х- rays - рентгеновские лучи

11. three-dimensional images - трёхмерные изображения

12. to determine a cancerous tumor - выявить раковую опухоль

13. more clearly visible - более четко видны

14. application – применение

15. fetus - плод

Answer the following questions:

1. Why was the quality of medical care transformed in the 20^th century?

2. Who can receive diagnostic services in the Children’s Diagnostic Centers?

3. What technologies transformed the field of medicine?

4. What is MRI?

5. What is necessary to produce an image?

6. Is MRI risk free?

7. Why are X- rays and computers used in Computed Tomography technology?

8. Disorders of what organs and systems can be diagnosed by CT?

9. What is CT commonly used for?

10. How can you describe ultrasound imaging?

11. What is the best known application of ultrasound?

12. What organs and systems can be examined by ultrasound?

13. Have you ever undergone CT, MRI or ultrasound?