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Category: Rad Tech Talk

Radiologic Technologist Blog

Look Up Tables in Radiography: What Are They?

look up table x-ray analysis

What are look up tables in radiography? The gray-scale values in a digital image consist of binary numbers. It is possible to reassign these numbers to other values based on predetermined rules. These rules are defined in a look-up table (LUT) which is essentially a reference histogram. A look-up table (LUT) is a series of mathematical equations that are used for post-processing in radiography. It is used to correct values using a mapping function. It allows the gray-scale values in the recorded image to be remapped to new values to improve the final image in some way, such as appropriate brightness and contrast. LUTs are specific to anatomic areas.

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Radiation Dose in Modern Diagnostic Radiology

radiation dose control

Over the past several decades, the use of ionizing radiation in medical imaging has increased dramatically. This has resulted in a substantial increase in the radiation dose humans are exposed to. In 1950, approximately 25 million radiographic and fluoroscopic exams were performed. This number skyrocketed to nearly 300 million by the mid-2000s. In the 1980s, only 15 percent of all artificial radiation exposure was on account of medical imaging; by the mid-2000s, this figure had risen to almost 50 percent.

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Bone Diseases and Causes in Adults and Children

bone disease and causes renal osteodystrophy treatment dialysis

Millions of Americans are affected by bone diseases from various causes, the most common of which is osteoporosis. People with osteoporosis are at a high risk of fractures. Fractures are often disabling and lead to deterioration in the patient’s physical and mental health. Primary osteoporosis is the most common type of osteoporosis. It is the result of deteriorating bone structure and bone loss with aging. Primary osteoporosis can be prevented through proper nutrition, adequate physical exercise, and when necessary, appropriate treatment. Secondary osteoporosis is the result of other diseases that affect the bones and certain drugs and toxic substances that make bones weak. If secondary osteoporosis is recognized in time, it can be prevented with nutrition, physical activity, and treatment if needed.

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Help elderly patients understand nutrition for bone health

nutrition and bone health in the elderly

Osteoporosis is especially prevalent in older adults. Healthcare professionals play a valuable role in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of bone diseases in this age group of patients.  In general, the nutritional guidelines for younger adults are also applicable to older adults. However, some specific recommendations are relevant to this group of patients in terms of nutrition and bone health in the elderly.

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Fracture Risk Assessment Tool: An Overview for X-ray Techs

fracture risk assessment tool BMD

The gold standard in diagnostic testing for osteoporosis and fracture risk is bone mineral density (BMD) measurement. However, it is neither cost-effective nor practical to perform BMD testing in every individual and use this as a fracture risk assessment tool. The majority of people are not at risk of bone disease. Thus, BMD testing is recommended only in populations that are known to be at high risk, such as women over the age of 65. What are some of the other fracture risk assessment tools available to healthcare providers?

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