Posters

Electromagnetic spectrum

• Mobile phone: The heating effect of the radio waves from a mobile phone has been modelled by computer. Mobiles have been shown to heat the brain by about 0.2 degrees C.
• Thermography: A thermal image shows the temperature of the body's surface. This image shows the hands of a patient with Raynaud's syndrome, which is a problem with the circulation in the fingers and toes.
• Endoscopy: A view from an endoscope showing a hernia in the stomach.
• Scanning laser ophthalmoscope: This uses blue light to image the retina. The light is scanned across the retina, allowing an image to be built up.
• Blue light treatment of jaundice: Premature babies sometimes have jaundice. It is usually harmless but can be treated using blue light.
• Radiotherapy: Radiotherapy is one of the most common uses of the electromagnetic spectrum in medicine. High energy x-rays are used to treat cancer.
• X-rays: X-rays are used for both diagnosis and treatment.

Radioactivity

• Main picture: A whole body scan showing the uptake of radioactivity in the bones.
• Radiation safety sign
• PET scan: A PET scan uses a radioisotope which emits positrons. The drug circulates round the body and collects in a region of interest, like a tumour. It then decays, and the gamma rays which result from annihilation of the positron are detected to give an image of body function.
• Lead-lined syringe: Radiation protection must be observed at all stages. When the patient is being injected, it is common to use a lead-lined syringe holder to reduce the dose to the person giving the injection.
• Ventilation/perfusion scan: This involves two tests which may be done together or separately. The patient is injected with a radioactive drug which remains in the bloodstream around the lungs and breathes radioactive krypton gas. Combining both scans allows a doctor to work out whether the lung is functioning properly, and allows operations to be designed so as to reduce long-term damage.

Ultrasound

• Main picture: An image of a foetus in the womb. This foetus is 24 weeks old.
• Colour Doppler image: An image of the carotid artery. The colour shows the movement of blood. measred using the Doppler effect. The irregular appearance indicates turbulent flow, due to a blockage in the artery.
• An ultrasound scan
• Surface rendered image: A 3D image of a foetus.