Comparison of X-Ray and Ultrasound
X rays and Ultrasound are two of the main imaging techniques used in radiography. For the purposes of this essay, we will look at conventional x-rays and diagnostic ultrasound. Conventional x rays are non-invasive diagnostic techniques that are used to capture images of the body's organs and bones. Diagnostic ultrasounds are high frequency sound waves to create an image of soft issues in the body such as muscles, joints, and internal organs. As examined below, while both are used in diagnostic radiography, they have extremely different modalities.
Wave Properties
X-rays use electromagnet waves to produce images. Ultrasounds are longitudinal sound waves with extremely high frequencies. The below table examines some of the differences between x-rays and ultrasound by comparing their wave properties. | X-Rays | Ultrasound | Type of waves | electromagnetic waves | Longitudinal mechanical waves | Electromagnetic Spectrum | Part of the EM spectrum | Not part of the EM spectrum | Wavelength (m) | 10 -13 – 10 -8 | Varies but all are short wavelengths | Frequency (Hz) | 3 x 1016 - 3 x 1019 | 1 to 15 Mhz (medical purposes) | Energy (J) | 2 x 10-17 - 2 x 10-14 | Varies depending on the type of scan | Medium | No medium required for x ray to operate | Medium required e.g. gel | Similar Waves | Radio & Light | Seismic & Acoustic | Time taken for general scan | Approx 60secs for chest x-ray | 10-15 minutes |
How both are produced
X-rays and ultrasound are produced very differently. | X-Rays | Ultrasound | Produced | Produced by bombarding heavy metal e.g. Tungsten or Copper with high energy electrons | Generated using transducer which creates sound waves and then captures the resulting echo to create an image. | Process | When x-rays pass into the body they pass through soft tissue but they are absorbed bone and denser tissues. When main method of getting an image from the X-ray machine is a simple photographic film. The films
Wave Properties
X-rays use electromagnet waves to produce images. Ultrasounds are longitudinal sound waves with extremely high frequencies. The below table examines some of the differences between x-rays and ultrasound by comparing their wave properties. | X-Rays | Ultrasound | Type of waves | electromagnetic waves | Longitudinal mechanical waves | Electromagnetic Spectrum | Part of the EM spectrum | Not part of the EM spectrum | Wavelength (m) | 10 -13 – 10 -8 | Varies but all are short wavelengths | Frequency (Hz) | 3 x 1016 - 3 x 1019 | 1 to 15 Mhz (medical purposes) | Energy (J) | 2 x 10-17 - 2 x 10-14 | Varies depending on the type of scan | Medium | No medium required for x ray to operate | Medium required e.g. gel | Similar Waves | Radio & Light | Seismic & Acoustic | Time taken for general scan | Approx 60secs for chest x-ray | 10-15 minutes |
How both are produced
X-rays and ultrasound are produced very differently. | X-Rays | Ultrasound | Produced | Produced by bombarding heavy metal e.g. Tungsten or Copper with high energy electrons | Generated using transducer which creates sound waves and then captures the resulting echo to create an image. | Process | When x-rays pass into the body they pass through soft tissue but they are absorbed bone and denser tissues. When main method of getting an image from the X-ray machine is a simple photographic film. The films
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