Imageries médicales radiologiques et nucléaires en oncologie thoracique : bases fondamentales

Despite recent tremendous technological advances the past 25 years, principles of X-ray imaging did not change for more than 100 years. A beam of photons passes through the target and is attenuated by the tissues therein, leading to image production. Principles of nuclear medicine also remain the same for imaging the biodistribution of molecules labelled with gamma or positron emitters reflecting biological, metabolic and functional phenomena. The ease to perform these images may tend to forget the basics of these techniques. All these techniques expose patients to ionizing radiation, but with low or very low dose, downplaying their risk compared to the benefits they provide. They must be asked wisely and radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians should optimize examinations.