Which imaging modality uses non-ionizing, high-frequency sound waves?

Which imaging modality uses non-ionizing, high-frequency sound waves?

• A. X-ray
• B. CT
• C. Ultrasound
• D. MRI

Answer: (C)

The imaging method described is ultrasound, which uses non-ionizing, high-frequency sound waves. A transducer sends short pulses into the body and listens for echoes that bounce back from tissues. These echoes are converted into real-time images. Because no ionizing radiation is involved, ultrasound is safe for many patients and is ideal for evaluating soft tissues, organs, and fetal development. It also can assess blood flow with Doppler. In contrast, X-ray and CT rely on ionizing radiation, and MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals rather than sound waves, so they don’t fit the description of using high-frequency sound waves.

The imaging method described is ultrasound, which uses non-ionizing, high-frequency sound waves. A transducer sends short pulses into the body and listens for echoes that bounce back from tissues. These echoes are converted into real-time images. Because no ionizing radiation is involved, ultrasound is safe for many patients and is ideal for evaluating soft tissues, organs, and fetal development. It also can assess blood flow with Doppler. In contrast, X-ray and CT rely on ionizing radiation, and MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals rather than sound waves, so they don’t fit the description of using high-frequency sound waves.