What is radiology?
Medical radiology refers to all diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, including X-rays and other types of radiation. It covers conventional radiology, or standard radiography (sending X-rays through the body to print a photosensitive film), medical imaging through ultrasound (ultrasound), magnetic resonance (scanner and MRI) and interventional radiology – all the invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that the radiologist performs.
When to see a department of radiology and medical imaging
Radiology and medical imaging is a valuable adjunct to other medical specialties. It is a vital investigative tool used for screening (e.g. a mammogram), treating and monitoring a large number of pathologies, even in emergencies (acute pain, trauma, stroke, etc.). Radiological examinations can be conducted in the practices of private radiologists or in healthcare institutions.
What results can be expected from a radiology department?
Radiology technology is used to detect, specify and occasionally treat a condition (fracture, malformation, foreign body, tumour, etc.). Principal techniques and examinations include:
- Standard radiography for studying the skeleton, joints and certain organs (lungs, abdomen, breasts, etc.)
- Ultrasound (tissues, vessels, ligaments, etc.)
- Doppler (blood flow)
- Scanner that looks at specific areas of the body, in order to take pictures in or images in very fine slices
- MIR scans enabling 2- or 3-dimensional visualisation, with or without administration of a contrast agent.