X-rays
A radiological investigation that utilises wavelike forms of electromagnetic energy carried by particles called photons which exposes photosensitive film to differing° depending on its absorption in the tissue through which it passes.
Ultrasound
A radiological investigation that utilises high frequency sound waves & their echoes off different tissue boundaries to generate a 2 dimensional image which we refer to as an ultrasound.
CAT Scan
A radiological investigation that utilises a revolving X-ray tube & detector to perform thousands of X-rays which are formatted via a computer to generate a 3 dimensional image.
A nuclear medicine investigation that utilises phosphate derived radioactive isotopes that are injected intravenously. They are taken up preferentially in areas of ↑ bone activity. The radiation given off is used to generate an image that we know as a bone scan.
MRI Scan
A radiological investigation that utilises different responses from tissues when exposed to a radiofrequency pulse whilst in a static magnetic field to generate 2 or 3 dimensional images.
A T1 image is generated by examining the duration taken for atoms to return to their longitudinal axis of polarization.
A T2 image is generated by examining the rate of decay in atoms that are transversely magnetized.
Reviewed by Professor Phong Tran, Head of Orthopaedic Surgery, Western Health. Last updated 10 October 2026.