Which modality has mild tissue heating may occur and can't be used over open skin wounds or lesions?

Which modality has mild tissue heating may occur and can't be used over open skin wounds or lesions?

• A. MRI
• B. Nuclear Medicine (PET Scan)
• C. Ultrasound
• D. CT

Answer: (C)

Ultrasound energy interacts with tissue by sending sound waves that are partly absorbed and converted into heat. In everyday diagnostic use, this heating is typically very small, but it is a known effect and is monitored with guidelines like the Thermal Index to keep exposures within safe limits. The reason this modality fits the description is that, under certain conditions (such as higher intensities, longer exposure, or specific tissue properties), mild tissue heating can occur. Additionally, when there is open skin or a wound, applying ultrasound can cause a localized temperature rise or mechanical effects that may irritate the damaged tissue or interfere with healing, so clinicians exercise extra caution or avoid applying the probe directly over such areas unless there’s a clear clinical need and proper precautions. MRI, while it can involve heating from radiofrequency energy, isn’t typically described as being contraindicated specifically for open wounds, and CT or PET don’t rely on energy absorption in the same way to produce heating effects.

Ultrasound energy interacts with tissue by sending sound waves that are partly absorbed and converted into heat. In everyday diagnostic use, this heating is typically very small, but it is a known effect and is monitored with guidelines like the Thermal Index to keep exposures within safe limits. The reason this modality fits the description is that, under certain conditions (such as higher intensities, longer exposure, or specific tissue properties), mild tissue heating can occur. Additionally, when there is open skin or a wound, applying ultrasound can cause a localized temperature rise or mechanical effects that may irritate the damaged tissue or interfere with healing, so clinicians exercise extra caution or avoid applying the probe directly over such areas unless there’s a clear clinical need and proper precautions.

MRI, while it can involve heating from radiofrequency energy, isn’t typically described as being contraindicated specifically for open wounds, and CT or PET don’t rely on energy absorption in the same way to produce heating effects.