Jacob Dunn's Blog
April 20, 2023
What is an Oral & Maxillofacial Radiologist?
An oral and maxillofacial radiologist is a dentist who specializes in the use of diagnostic imaging to diagnose and treat diseases and conditions of the mouth, face, and jaws. They use a variety of imaging techniques, including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds, to create images of the bones, teeth, soft tissues, and blood vessels in the head and neck region. This information is then used to help dentists, oral surgeons, and other healthcare providers make diagnoses and develop treatment plans.
Oral and maxillofacial radiologists typically work in hospitals, clinics, or private practices. They may also be involved in research or teaching. To become an oral and maxillofacial radiologist, a dentist must complete a several-year residency program in oral and maxillofacial radiology. This program includes training in all aspects of diagnostic imaging, as well as clinical rotations in oral surgery, pathology, and other dental specialties.
Oral and maxillofacial radiologists play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of oral and maxillofacial diseases and conditions. They can help dentists and other healthcare providers to identify the cause of a patient’s pain, swelling, or other symptoms, and to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to the individual patient’s needs.
March 27, 2023
What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound is a medical imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the internal organs and tissues of the body. The sound waves are emitted from a handheld device called a transducer and directed towards the area of interest. The sound waves bounce off the organs and tissues and are detected by the transducer, which then creates an image based on the pattern of the echoes.
Ultrasound is a non-invasive and painless procedure that does not use ionizing radiation, making it a safe imaging option for pregnant women and children. It is commonly used to examine the developing fetus during pregnancy, as well as to diagnose and monitor various medical conditions such as gallstones, kidney stones, tumors, and heart conditions.
Ultrasound can be performed on various parts of the body, including the abdomen, pelvis, breast, thyroid, oral cavity, tissues of the neck, and musculoskeletal system. It can also be used to guide minimally invasive procedures such as biopsies and needle aspirations. It is important to note that ultrasound may not provide as detailed images as other imaging techniques such as CT or MRI, and may not be able to detect certain conditions.
Overall, ultrasound is a valuable tool in the field of medicine that can provide important diagnostic information without the need for invasive procedures or radiation exposure.
What is the difference between CBCT and CT?
CT (Computed Tomography) and CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) are both imaging techniques used in medical diagnosis and treatment planning, but there are some differences between the two:
Imaging Technology: CT uses a fan-shaped x-ray beam that rotates around the patient, while CBCT uses a cone-shaped x-ray beam that rotates around the patient. CBCT can sometimes provide 3D images with higher resolution, however, CT usually provides better contrast resolution. Radiation Exposure: CBCT typically involves a lower radiation dose than CT.Clinical Applications: CT is commonly used for diagnosis and treatment planning of a wide range of conditions, including cancer, trauma, and neurological disorders. CBCT is commonly used for dental and maxillofacial imaging, including orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and implant placement.While CT and CBCT are both forms of tomography, they differ in their imaging technology, radiation exposure, and clinical applications. The choice between CT and CBCT will depend on the specific clinical situation and the needs of the patient.
How does precise radiology help you?
Radiology is a branch of medicine that uses medical imaging techniques, such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI, and ultrasound, to diagnose and treat diseases. Precise radiology can help patients in several ways:
Early detection of diseases: Radiology imaging tests can help detect diseases in their early stages when they are most treatable. For example, mammograms can detect breast cancer at an early stage, increasing the chances of successful treatment.
Accurate diagnosis: Radiology imaging tests can help diagnose diseases accurately. They provide doctors with detailed information about the location, size, and nature of the disease, which helps them plan the best course of treatment.
Minimally invasive procedures: Radiology also includes interventional procedures, such as biopsies and angioplasties, that are minimally invasive and have fewer risks and complications than traditional surgeries. These procedures also typically require less recovery time.
Personalized treatment: Radiology imaging tests can help doctors tailor treatments to individual patients. For example, by using PET-CT scans, doctors can determine the most effective chemotherapy or radiation therapy for a specific patient based on the metabolic activity of their tumor.
Overall, precise radiology plays a crucial role in the early detection, accurate diagnosis, and personalized treatment of a wide range of diseases, ultimately helping patients achieve better health outcomes.
August 25, 2020
Empty Middle Seats Make Flying Safer
The calculations showed that when all seats are sold, the probability of getting COVID-19 from a nearby passenger is one in 4,300. If middle seats are empty, risk goes down to one in 7,700.
August 18, 2020
AI Provides Faster MRI Exam Times
While MRI has provided invaluable medical insight through the years, the required length of time for exams has limited the use. Artificial Intelligence now looks to decrease the time of the exam, increasing clinical possibilities.
Source
.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-1{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}
July 28, 2020
Chernobyl Mold could shield astronauts from radiation
September 18, 2018
Medical Monitoring Through the Electromagnetic Field
“And in the not-so-distant future, she believes, it will be able to replace the array of expensive, bulky, uncomfortable gear we currently need to get clinical data about the body.”
Speaking at MIT Technology Review’s EmTech conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Wednesday, Katabi said the box she’s been building for the last several years takes advantage of the fact that every time we move—even if it’s just a teeny, tiny bit, such as when we breathe—we change the electromagnetic field surrounding us.
#healthcare #hiomr #radiology #technology #MIT
July 30, 2018
JFK Airport to begin using CT scanners on luggage
“Some passengers traveling through JFK airport will soon have the contents of their luggage examined through a CT scanner. American Airlines has donated eight of the machines to the TSA, one of which has been installed at JFK, and it’s expected to be put into operation in JFK’s Terminal 8 security checkpoint later this month. By opting for a CT scanner over the traditional x-ray machines, TSA agents would be able to see contents more clearly and be able to rotate images of passengers’ luggage 360 degrees. “What it’s capable of doing is detecting a wider range of explosives, which is very important, [as well as] a much lower weight of explosives,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske told CBS News. “They’re just much better at detection, so you really get better security faster, essentially.””
July 16, 2018
MARS Spectral X-ray Scanner
Fantastic new technology from the Large Hadron Collider. This is an excellent example of practical applications derived from deep scientific research.
MARS Spectral X-ray Scanner – Smithsonian Magazine
“The updated x-ray machine, called the MARS Spectral X-ray Scanner, however, is able to reveal detail of bones, soft tissue and other components of the body with incredible clarity. That’s because the scanner uses a highly sensitive chip called the Medipix3, which acts like the sensor in a digital camera, except much more advanced. In fact, according to a press release, the Medipix was developed from technology created by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), used to detect particles in its Large Hadron Collider, the world’s largest particle accelerator. The chip can count the photons hitting each pixel and determine their energy level. From that information a series of algorithms is then able to determine the position of things like bone, fat, cartilage and other tissues, which are then colorized.”
Interesting development, considering CT scanners essentially do this currently, without colorization and with slightly different algorithms.
