Fragmented body (The)

The new imaging equipments for medical diagnosis, which can show the depths of the human body are described in their use in hospitals by physicians and scientists in various fields.

The Orsay hospital, thanks to a cyclotron, can produce radioactive elements, which, fastened to biological molecules, are detected by a positron camera, which can follow the motions of these tracers in the human body. At Institut Curie, the radioactive molecules injected in the body are tracked by a gamma camera. Gammagraphy is used to detect bone anomalies but do not allow an accurate diagnosis.

With X-ray scanner, a combination of X-ray radiography with computerized image processing, cross-section images of an organ are obtained.

The Val de Grâce hospital use magnetic resonance imaging for delicate operations, for example brain surgery.

Each technique has its advantages and can improve medical diagnosis.