Question

• In each of the following cases, a medical condition is described. Identify the medical procedure that would best be used in the diagnosis ort treatment of the condition. In your answer choose one of the following: Doppler effect ultrasound, endoscopy, photorefractive keratectomy, CAT scan, and MRI.

  1. Small amounts of tissue can be removed from the corneal region of the eye to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness.
  2. The diagnosis of pulmonary disease can take place by inserting tiny optical fibres into the lungs thereby viewing the bronchial tubes directly.
  3. The diagnosis of a brain tumour can take place using this technique that will allow the formation of a detailed three-dimensional image without using X-rays.
  4. The diagnosis of region where blood vessels in an arm may have narrowed can take place in a real-time image on a television monitor.
  5. It is possible to diagnose accurately a problem with the liver by taking a two-dimension image of a slice of the liver using X-rays.

Answer 1

• Photorefractive keratectomy is a laser refractive procedure to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
• Endoscopy can be used for imaging of the bronchial tubes.
• MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging can show a three dimensional image of the brain. It uses the body's magnetic properties and does not use X-rays to form a detailed image.
• Doppler effect ultrasound is used to study the movement of blood in the blood vessels.
• A CAT or CT (computerized tomography) scan uses X-rays and can be used to accurately diagnose a problem of the liver, by taking two dimensional image of a slice of the liver.