Week Four

I was diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (my first rib and scalene muscles compress a bundle of nerves running through the thoracic outlet causing nerve pain and damage throughout my entire arm). The doctors back home and at UCLA helped to diagnose and treat the TOS. I underwent 3 sets of X-Rays (1 on my chest and 2 on my neck), 2 MRIs (1 on my brachial plexus and one on my thoracic spine), and 1 nerve conduction test (on my right arm). I became interested in the machines and the reason behind using them. The MRI machine which is described as able to provide “high-quality images of organs, structures, and tissues…that connect, support, or surround other bodily structures and organs” (Casini P.73-74). I originally thought medical technology was to be used to diagnose but after this lecture I thought differently. Before my surgery, I was given a packet outlining the details of my surgery. Pictures were also included; after this lecture, I realized that images from past MRIs, X-Rays, and Nerve Conduction tests helped these artists designing the packet design the images. I had my first rib and a large portion of my scalene muscles removed to decompress the nerves.

Picture of me right before my surgery

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Diagram

MRIs, X-Rays, etc, are used to do more than just diagnose a person. As Silvia Casini stated in her essay, “MRI has a ‘look’ in the same way that the portrait has— that is, it has the capacity of being performative, thus resisting its being regarded as a transparent window onto the self” (Casini P. 73). MRIs allow artists to see the inner workings of something such as the brain without having to dissect it. We can see how our brain functions and our nerves send signals. Diane Gromana uses the MRI to see inside of her chest cavity around her ribs. She uses this to evoke “inside feelings”, awareness of inside our bodies. (Gromana). So many times, we do not see medicine as an art, the art comes from the images created by the medical technology. I have seen my results from these tests and did not think anything of them but after this lecture I now see the beauty in my own body and how my nerves, muscles and bones interact. The invention of X-Rays as discussed Professor Vesna was a gateway for artist to begin using medical technology as an apparatus for art (Vesna Lecture Pt. 2).

Nervous System at Body Worlds

Colored in MRI Scan of the Brain

Works Cited

Bouys, Gabriel. "View of Plastinated Central and Peripher." Getty Images. Getty Images, 02 Apr. 2008. Web. 25 Apr. 2017. <http://www.gettyimages.pt/detail/fotografia-de-not%C3%ADcias/view-of-plastinated-central-and-peripheral-fotografia-de-not%C3%ADcias/80468518#view-of-plastinated-central-and-peripheral-nervous-system-at-the-body-picture-id80468518>.

Casini, Silvia. “Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as Mirror and Portrait: MRI Configurations Between Science and Arts.” (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 25 Apr. 2017.

Gromala, Diane, perf. Curative Powers of Wet, Raw Beauty. 2011. Video. 25 Apr. 2017. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cRdarMz–Pw>.

R, J. T. "MRI Project." Pinterest. J.T.R on Flickr, 05 Apr. 2015. Web. 25 Apr. 2017. <https://www.pinterest.com/pin/423549539931930857/>.

Skibitzki, Madeline. Right Before My Surgery, Ronald Reagan Medical Center. Personal photograph by author. 2017.

Tharu, Reeja. "Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Remedies."Medindia. N.p., 08 Aug. 2014. Web. 25 Apr. 2017. <http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/thoracic-outlet-syndrome.htm>.

Vesna, Victoria. “Http://www.youtube.com/v/psjnQarHOqQ.” Lecture. Medicine pt2 . Youtube, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 25 Apr. 2017. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psjnQarHOqQ>.