Canadian Medical Guide > Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment > Diagnosis > Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures > Diagnostic Imaging Terms and Definitions

Diagnostic Imaging

Medical Definition:	Any visual display of structural or functional patterns of organs or tissues for diagnostic evaluation. It includes measuring physiologic and metabolic responses to physical and chemical stimuli, as well as ultramicroscopy.
Guide Notes:	GEN only: prefer specific techniques; use for diag or non-diag study of organs
Also Called:	Medical Imaging,Imaging Technics
Previously Indexed:	Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1975-1987),Photography (1966-1971),Radiography (1975-1987),Radiology (1971-1987),Radionuclide Imaging (1977-1987),Technology, Radiologic (1966-1987),Thermography (1966-1987),Tomography, X-Ray Computed (1977-1987),Ultrasonic Diagnosis (1985-1987),Ultrasonics (1971-1987),specific radiographic technique (1966-1987)

Diagnostic Imaging Categories.

	Imaging, Three-Dimensional - The process of generating three-dimensional images by electronic or photographic methods. For example three 3-dimensional images can be generated by assembling multiple tomographic images with the aid of a computer, while photographic 3-D images (HOLOGRAPHY) can be made by exposing film to the interference pattern created when two laser light sources shine on an object.
	Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Non-invasive method of demonstrating internal anatomy based on the principle that atomic nuclei in a strong magnetic field absorb pulses of radiofrequency energy and emit them as radiowaves which can be reconstructed into computerized images. The concept includes proton spin tomographic techniques.
	Microscopy, Electron - Visual and photographic microscopy in which electron beams with wavelengths thousands of times shorter than visible light are used in place of light, thereby allowing much greater magnification.
	Photography - Method of making images on a sensitized surface by exposure to light or other radiant energy.
	Radiography - Examination of any part of the body for diagnostic purposes by means of roentgen rays, recording the image on a sensitized surface (such as photographic film).
	Radionuclide Imaging - Process whereby a radionuclide is injected or measured (through tissue) from an external source, and a display is obtained from any one of several rectilinear scanner or gamma camera systems. The image obtained from a moving detector is called a scan, while the image obtained from a stationary camera device is called a scintiphotograph.
	Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared - A noninvasive technique that uses the differential absorption properties of hemoglobin and myoglobin to evaluate tissue oxygenation and indirectly can measure regional hemodynamics and blood flow. Near-infrared light (NIR) can propagate through tissues and at particular wavelengths is differentially absorbed by oxgenated vs. deoxygenated forms of hemoglobin and myoglobin. Illumination of intact tissue with NIR allows qualitative assessment of changes in the tissue concentration of these molecules. The analysis is also used to determine body composition.
	Subtraction Technique - Combination or superimposition of two images for demonstrating differences between them (e.g., radiograph with contrast vs. one without, radionuclide images using different radionuclides, radiograph vs. radionuclide image) and in the preparation of audiovisual materials (e.g., offsetting identical images, coloring of vessels in angiograms).
	Thermography - Measurement of the regional temperature of the body or an organ by infrared sensing devices, based on self-emanating infrared radiation.
	Tomography - Imaging methods that result in sharp images of objects located on a chosen plane and blurred images located above or below the plane.
	Transillumination - Passage of light through body tissues or cavities for examination of internal structures.
	Ultrasonography - The visualization of deep structures of the body by recording the reflections of echoes of pulses of ultrasonic waves directed into the tissues. Use of ultrasound for imaging or diagnostic purposes employs frequencies ranging from 1.6 to 10 megahertz.

Diagnostic Imaging Medical Definitions and Terms

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