Medical Imaging and Radiology have entwined aspects of medical diagnosis. Radiology is the branch of medical science that utilizes radiant energy to diagnose and treat several diseases. Although it may sound like the method involves radiation, it is not constant anyway.
As practitioners of radiology, the medical doctors are called radiologists who use medical imaging technology. They pass on their findings to the doctors who have asked the patients to undergo these tests. Not only that, a radiologist has the ability to determine the potency of the treatment through monitoring the reports of further medical tests.
Medical imaging is a type of technology that the radiologist uses to diagnose and treat patients specifically. For instance, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography do not use radiation while in the medical imaging methods.
A radiographer, on the other hand, is also a medical specialist who can conduct the scanning part on the patients.
Types of Radiology and Medical Imaging
Diagnostic radiology is the area that enables health care professionals to detect the profile of your inner body. Medical professionals who specialize in interpreting these images are diagnostic radiologists. Interventional radiologists use the images of CT scan, MRI, Ultrasound and more to insert wires, catheters and other minor tools into the body.
Hence, the diagnostic radiologists, along with other doctors, use these diagnostic images to:
- Diagnose the reason for certain symptoms
- Monitor the response of the patient's body on the treatment
- Screen various types of diseases like heart disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, etc.
The most common types of medical diagnostic radiology tests are as follows:
X-ray: X-ray uses a lower dose of radiation and a specialized plate for facilitating the images of the inner body, especially of joints and bones. This is among the most commonly used medical imaging techniques.
Computerized Tomography or CT scan: The CT scan is an effective technology that uses the images of X-Ray provides 3D pictures of all the angles of the patient's body. This highly efficient information helps to diagnose, plan intervention and monitor treatment.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI: This technology uses larger, strong magnetic and radiofrequency waves for generating 3D pictures of internal organs and body tissues. It allows explicitly to scan lesions, tumors, injuries and numerous infections without any utilization of radiation.
Mammography: This medical test utilizes low radiation for detecting the vulnerability of breast cancer at an early stage. In the same digital test, the use of radiation is much lower to generate high-quality breast tissue images.
Ultrasonography: This technology creates real-time images on the computer screen while the technician or radiographer slowly moves the ultrasound probe machine over the suspicious body part. The good thing is, almost like MRI, there is also no use of radiation. And this makes it a commonly used test for pregnant women to get the image of their baby in the womb.
If you have been prescribed to undergo any of these tests, choose a reliable radiology center. The medical team of Radiology Center at Harding in Morristown, New Jersey, provides accurate diagnostic results. To schedule an appointment, visit the site or call and get the best service in this field.