Functional MRI scans – the future of MR imaging:
The latest in imaging has arrived, in the form of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging or F- MRI scans.
Imaging remained largely a means to study anatomical lesions of the body, such as tumours, infections etc. But now, F- MRI is set to change all that. F- MRI is a technique that actually maps hemodynamic changes (read blood flow changes) in response to
neural stimuli or neural activity, in the brain and spinal cord. This is based on the fact that that there are changes in blood flow patterns in regions of the brain that are active; for example moving the fingers would produce more blood flow and oxygenation in the region of the brain called the motor cortex. The MR signals of the blood vary according to the degree of oxygenation. This fact is made use of to color code the brain’s activity. F- MRI can thus non-invasively detect human brain tissue activity, without the fear of radiation.
I had the chance to see a slide show, where an F- MRI scan of a patient with anxiety disorder, was displayed. Multiple areas (colored red) were seen along both cerebral hemispheres. After making the same patient relax, listening to gentle music, a repeat F MRI scan showed a near normal appearance. Thus, the role of this technique, in neurology and psychiatry is obvious. A more controversial use of the technique in comatose patients, found that in some such cases, in so called minimally conscious states,
the brain showed responses to speech and external stimuli, similar to those in normal persons. This raises many questions, indeed a Pandora’s box of legal and ethical issues regarding the conventional definition of death.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
HOW SAFE IS YOUR CT SCAN?
Risk of radiation during CT scans:
CT scans have become commonplace and are an essential part of investigations,
that the consultant/ doctor advises, today. However, have CT scans been taken for granted, as truly safe for the patient?
Recent studies done (http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/ct/risks.html ) in USA and Europe suggest that there is a small but significant risk of radiation induced cancer, occurring due to
CT scans. These conclusions have been made after the release of the BEIR VII report
( BEIR VII Press Release: Low Levels of Radiation May Cause Harm ).
According to the report, the National Academy of Sciences, has described a 1-in-1000 chance of developing cancer from a single radiation exposure of 10 mSv.
(mSv is a unit of measuring the amount of radiation a person receives).
10 mSv is the amount of radiation a patient receives during a single CT scan study of the
abdomen, chest or the pelvis. The study also finds that the risk in children is even
higher. 1 in every 550 children scanned would develop cancer due to the CT scan.
The recommendations of the study are that persons under 40 yrs. age should be carefully
screened to avoid unnecessary scans. This is specially true whilst scans involve the gonads.
A CT scan of the head exposes you to about 2 mSv, a scan of the chest is about 8 mSv, and a study of the abdomen and pelvis is about 10 mSv. A normal person is
exposed to 3 to 5 mSv of radiation every year (ie: radiation from soil and atmosphere).
The real problem arises when a person (especially those under 40 and children) are
subjected to repeated scans, with doses exceeding 50 mSv.
Conclusion: Be judicious in the use of CT scans. Though there are definite risks
involved in repeated scans, they are to be carefully weighed against the numerous diagnostic benefits this tool provides.
CT scans have become commonplace and are an essential part of investigations,
that the consultant/ doctor advises, today. However, have CT scans been taken for granted, as truly safe for the patient?
Recent studies done (http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/ct/risks.html ) in USA and Europe suggest that there is a small but significant risk of radiation induced cancer, occurring due to
CT scans. These conclusions have been made after the release of the BEIR VII report
( BEIR VII Press Release: Low Levels of Radiation May Cause Harm ).
According to the report, the National Academy of Sciences, has described a 1-in-1000 chance of developing cancer from a single radiation exposure of 10 mSv.
(mSv is a unit of measuring the amount of radiation a person receives).
10 mSv is the amount of radiation a patient receives during a single CT scan study of the
abdomen, chest or the pelvis. The study also finds that the risk in children is even
higher. 1 in every 550 children scanned would develop cancer due to the CT scan.
The recommendations of the study are that persons under 40 yrs. age should be carefully
screened to avoid unnecessary scans. This is specially true whilst scans involve the gonads.
A CT scan of the head exposes you to about 2 mSv, a scan of the chest is about 8 mSv, and a study of the abdomen and pelvis is about 10 mSv. A normal person is
exposed to 3 to 5 mSv of radiation every year (ie: radiation from soil and atmosphere).
The real problem arises when a person (especially those under 40 and children) are
subjected to repeated scans, with doses exceeding 50 mSv.
Conclusion: Be judicious in the use of CT scans. Though there are definite risks
involved in repeated scans, they are to be carefully weighed against the numerous diagnostic benefits this tool provides.
Monday, July 10, 2006
CLICK FOR FREE MUSIC
Looking for free music downloads, try this internationally acclaimed site:
Click Here To Download Free Music and Movies
Scan your computer hard drive for malicious software, adware, scumware etc.
you might have picked up from the internet.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Dr.Anatoly--a radiologist and an artist
My good friend, Dr. Anatoly, from Kiev, Ukraine,
feels the human body and its insides
are a work of art to be perfected through 3D
graphics as he demonstrates so well in these pictures.
They show the female reproductive organs in
3Dimensions. Unfortunately, this site does not
allow moving 3D- animations which is what these are.
Monday, April 24, 2006
AN AMAZING, TRUE, MEDICAL FAIRYTALE
Did you know that fairy tales could turn out to be as real as reality?
This is one that captures the imagination. It is woven around a background of war, intertwining the
destiny of strangers in far away lands. It is about friendship between people who have never met,
except through the medium of the internet. Strangers, who've never seen each other, except through
photographs on a computer monitor.
It is about a group of people - a doctor in Afghanistan, Dr. Wahaaj, and his struggles in war ravaged Afghanistan and a sonographer based in the USA, a lady named Marveen Craig.
The link: http://www.sonoworld.com/Sonoworld/Editorials/Marveen.aspx tells the story of how "determination
and perseverance can change lives". It is about how ordinary people can do extraordinary feats.
Why does this story concern me? I know both Wahaaj and Marveen, of course, in the virtual world.
We have talked, exchanged pictures, but never met. Both of them are dear friends, whom I have known
since the time I have joined MI, a email group devoted to medical imaging.
This is one that captures the imagination. It is woven around a background of war, intertwining the
destiny of strangers in far away lands. It is about friendship between people who have never met,
except through the medium of the internet. Strangers, who've never seen each other, except through
photographs on a computer monitor.
It is about a group of people - a doctor in Afghanistan, Dr. Wahaaj, and his struggles in war ravaged Afghanistan and a sonographer based in the USA, a lady named Marveen Craig.
The link: http://www.sonoworld.com/Sonoworld/Editorials/Marveen.aspx tells the story of how "determination
and perseverance can change lives". It is about how ordinary people can do extraordinary feats.
Why does this story concern me? I know both Wahaaj and Marveen, of course, in the virtual world.
We have talked, exchanged pictures, but never met. Both of them are dear friends, whom I have known
since the time I have joined MI, a email group devoted to medical imaging.
Friday, April 07, 2006
Really cool web sites- my selection
A) Business and finance:
1)FOR Indian MUTUAL FUNDS this is the best:
www.valueresearchonline.com
It has a lovely portfolio manager. I could not find any that can compare with this one.
2) For advise on ways to make money, especially, internet based small business-
this is good: www.seekluck.com
3) To check the sensex value and the share market: try http://www.bseindia.com/
or you could try the NSE at : http://www.nseindia.com/
B) about all things Cochin and Kerala: try this good blog- http://indulekhainfo.blogspot.com/
It covers current hot topics in Kerala, especially on the literary front, books, cooking etc.
It also has a detailed explanation on how to download and install Malayalam font.
C) For POP supported email services:1) try http://www.usermail.com/
POP or post-office protocol is what enables receiving email via Outlook, Eudora or other email
client software. Usermail charges a small fee, but has excellent service. I have been using it for
the past 3 years. It is virus free and spam free.
2) Gmail is also an excellent option. But the only problem is that you've got to be invited by a Gmail
member.
D) To help you choose that fancy digicams, TVs, PDA and mobile phones this
web site is great. It has prices and detailed specification of the latest and older models.
http://www.myproductadvisor.com/mpa/home.do
You can even compare the various features of all the models that catch your eye.
E) Want to verify whether that email or information you received is fact or fiction.
Try this site: http://www.truthorfiction.com
F) To translate this web-site to other languages, try this link:
http://babelfish.altavista.com/
G) For those magic home remedies for every ailment, try this site: http://www.mothernature.com/index.cfm
This site has many useful tips, which doctors themselves may find useful.
If you are interested in ultrasound, this web site is a must. It has a large collection of ultrasound images with a brief description of each case. Visit: free to view ultrasound gallery>>http://drjoea.googlepages.com/
1)FOR Indian MUTUAL FUNDS this is the best:
www.valueresearchonline.com
It has a lovely portfolio manager. I could not find any that can compare with this one.
2) For advise on ways to make money, especially, internet based small business-
this is good: www.seekluck.com
3) To check the sensex value and the share market: try http://www.bseindia.com/
or you could try the NSE at : http://www.nseindia.com/
B) about all things Cochin and Kerala: try this good blog- http://indulekhainfo.blogspot.com/
It covers current hot topics in Kerala, especially on the literary front, books, cooking etc.
It also has a detailed explanation on how to download and install Malayalam font.
C) For POP supported email services:1) try http://www.usermail.com/
POP or post-office protocol is what enables receiving email via Outlook, Eudora or other email
client software. Usermail charges a small fee, but has excellent service. I have been using it for
the past 3 years. It is virus free and spam free.
2) Gmail is also an excellent option. But the only problem is that you've got to be invited by a Gmail
member.
D) To help you choose that fancy digicams, TVs, PDA and mobile phones this
web site is great. It has prices and detailed specification of the latest and older models.
http://www.myproductadvisor.com/mpa/home.do
You can even compare the various features of all the models that catch your eye.
E) Want to verify whether that email or information you received is fact or fiction.
Try this site: http://www.truthorfiction.com
F) To translate this web-site to other languages, try this link:
http://babelfish.altavista.com/
G) For those magic home remedies for every ailment, try this site: http://www.mothernature.com/index.cfm
This site has many useful tips, which doctors themselves may find useful.
If you are interested in ultrasound, this web site is a must. It has a large collection of ultrasound images with a brief description of each case. Visit: free to view ultrasound gallery>>http://drjoea.googlepages.com/
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