Imaging modality Definition MOA Advantages Disadvanatges Uses CI
Conventional Uses X-rays to X-rays pass Inexpensive Easily available Not very sensitive Not very sensitive High radiation
radiography create images through the body Good for initial evaluation of Not optimal for soft tissue Not optimal for soft sensitivity
of bones and and are captured bone detail and anatomical Some views result in large tissue Pregnancy
structures on film or a digital relationships radiation exposure Some views result in
detector large radiation exposure
CT scan Provides X-ray beams Good bone detail Higher radiation exposure Follow-up to abnormal High radiation
detailed cross- rotate around the Improved soft tissue resolution Requires careful risk vs radiographs sensitivity
sectional patient, captured benefit evaluation Detailed anatomical area Pregnancy
images using by detectors to imaging
X-rays create cross-
sectional images
MRI Uses magnetic Magnetic field Excellent soft tissue contrast Expensive Soft tissue contrast Metal implants
fields and aligns protons in Multi-planar No radiation Not easily available Multi-planar imaging Claustrophobia
radio waves to the body; radio Poor bone detail Certain
produce waves disrupt Uncomfortable for some electronic
detailed alignment, and patients implants
images of soft sensors capture Children may need general
tissues the emitted anesthesia
energy as the Cannot use with certain
protons realign metal/electronic implants
Ultrasound Uses high- Sound waves are Highly available Operator dependent Identifying joint effusions Poor image
frequency emitted and Real-time imaging Cannot penetrate bone or Limited skeletal quality with
sound waves received by a No ionizing radiation Good soft air evaluation obesity
to create real- transducer, tissue contrast Air-filled
time images producing images structures
based on the
echoes from body
structures
Bone scan Detects Radioactive tracer Early detection of metastases Moderate radiation risk Detecting occult Pregnancy
metabolically is injected and and infections Difficult to interpret in fractures High radiation
active bone absorbed by Detects occult fractures children Infection sensitivity
using active bone High sensitivity Limited availability Bone metastasis
radioactive tissue; gamma Poor specificity
tracers camera detects
radiation to
create images
Conventional Uses X-rays to X-rays pass Inexpensive Easily available Not very sensitive Not very sensitive High radiation
radiography create images through the body Good for initial evaluation of Not optimal for soft tissue Not optimal for soft sensitivity
of bones and and are captured bone detail and anatomical Some views result in large tissue Pregnancy
structures on film or a digital relationships radiation exposure Some views result in
detector large radiation exposure
CT scan Provides X-ray beams Good bone detail Higher radiation exposure Follow-up to abnormal High radiation
detailed cross- rotate around the Improved soft tissue resolution Requires careful risk vs radiographs sensitivity
sectional patient, captured benefit evaluation Detailed anatomical area Pregnancy
images using by detectors to imaging
X-rays create cross-
sectional images
MRI Uses magnetic Magnetic field Excellent soft tissue contrast Expensive Soft tissue contrast Metal implants
fields and aligns protons in Multi-planar No radiation Not easily available Multi-planar imaging Claustrophobia
radio waves to the body; radio Poor bone detail Certain
produce waves disrupt Uncomfortable for some electronic
detailed alignment, and patients implants
images of soft sensors capture Children may need general
tissues the emitted anesthesia
energy as the Cannot use with certain
protons realign metal/electronic implants
Ultrasound Uses high- Sound waves are Highly available Operator dependent Identifying joint effusions Poor image
frequency emitted and Real-time imaging Cannot penetrate bone or Limited skeletal quality with
sound waves received by a No ionizing radiation Good soft air evaluation obesity
to create real- transducer, tissue contrast Air-filled
time images producing images structures
based on the
echoes from body
structures
Bone scan Detects Radioactive tracer Early detection of metastases Moderate radiation risk Detecting occult Pregnancy
metabolically is injected and and infections Difficult to interpret in fractures High radiation
active bone absorbed by Detects occult fractures children Infection sensitivity
using active bone High sensitivity Limited availability Bone metastasis
radioactive tissue; gamma Poor specificity
tracers camera detects
radiation to
create images
