Diagnosing Ailments through Imaging

by Eric Jan seo

Relatively new, radiology is one field of medicine that utilizes imaging techniques (like X-rays) to diagnose and treat diseases. The diagnostic use might be done in order to determine if a medical condition is present or not (like discovering cancer in the lungs), for instance.

 

By intervention, this is a procedure that is characterized for instance in removing a blood clot in an artery. As a treatment, this is to give radiation therapy to treat cancer.

 

Back story

 

For more than a century in the past, radiology has given modern man various methods for diagnosing a wide range of diseases, as well as a number of alternatives in treating medical conditions that are often times less invasive than surgery.

 

Over the years, including the last few ones, there had been multiple imaging modalities available now. Some of them are relatively new and are creating some new additions to the field of medicine.

 

The first ultrasound that had allowed healthcar3 providers to visualize a fetus inside auterus was done in 1958. Imaging techniques that are now routine were developed more recently.

 

The first CT machine was first used commercially in 1971. This was followed by the first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in c1979. Finally, the first positron emission tomography (PET/CT) scan was performed in 1998.

 

The interventional radiology, particularly, is a very recent addition to medicine. The first balloon-expandable stent (to treat coronary artery disease) was performed in 1985 and was followed by a multitude of other techniques over the last few decades.

 

Radiology professionals

 

A radiologist and radiation technologists usually make up a typical team.

 

The radiologist is a healthcare provider who specializes in the field of radiology. After getting their bachelor’s degree, these dedicated practitioners attend medical school for four years (getting an MD or a DO).

 

This is followed by a year of training (internship) in medicine, surgery, or both. This is also followed by four years of residency in radiology. After the residency, many radiologists do an additional one to two years of fellowship in a specific area of radiology (like interventional or nuclear radiology).

 

Still, some more radiologists opt to complete a four-year program in radiation oncology.  Radiation oncologists are one of the types of oncologists who treat cancer.

 

Radiation technicians

 

The radiation technologists are the critical members of the radiology team, they are trained to assist the radiologist and manage the instruments/machines used to produce images.

 

They are trained to assist the radiologist and manage the machines. They are trained to assist the radiologist and manage the instruments/machines used to produce images. These technicians usually have an associate degree or bachelor's degree.

 

There are several different methods of obtaining images to help screen for, diagnose, or monitor medical conditions.

 

X-Rays

 

X-rays or plain radiographs are often done to look at bones, the chest, or the abdomen. With X-rays, denser structures, such as bones, appear white (opaque) whereas air filled areas (such as the lungs) appear black. Most structures of the body are in shades of gray between these two.

 

X-rays can be used alone in diagnosing conditionslike fractures, some pneumonia, or a bowel obstruction. But oftentimes, however, additional imaging studies are needed.

 

For instance, example, chest X-rays might sometimes identify a lung cancer. However, 20% to 23% of the tumors were missed in people with lung cancer symptoms. (CT scans are needed for lung cancer screening.) Likewise, some fractures (like stress fractures) may only be even with an MRI.

 

 20% to 23% of these tumors were missed in people with lung cancer symptoms in one study (And thus, CT scans are needed for lung cancer screening). Some fractures (such as stress fractures) may only be seen with an MRI.

 

Specialized X-ray techniques are sometimes used to screen for particular conditions. For example, digital mammography is an X-ray technique that uses low dose radiation to detect breast cancer.

 

Panoramic X-rays are used to detect dental disease and panoramic X-rays are used to detect dental disease.

 

CT (computer tomography)

 

In computer axial tomography (CAT scans or CT scans) use a series of X-ray plus a computer to produce cross-sectional image of the inside of the body.

 

CT can provide more detail than an X-ray provides. What is the X-ray provides you hundred more detail than an X-ray, and can better define areas where tissues overlap. CT scans can detect smaller abnormalities than can be found with a conventional X-ray.

 

The use of contrast dyes for CT scan can further improve visualization in some areas, such as the digestive tract. In some situations, CT procedures such as CT angiography may provide information that would otherwise require a more invasive procedure.

 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

 

Magnetic resonance imaging uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of the inside of the body.

 

While CT is often a better method for evaluating bones and blood vessels, MRI is frequently a better test for evaluating soft tissue, such as the brain, spinal cord, nerves, muscles, tendons, and breast tissue.

 

Withscopes like the brain, spinal cord, and some peripheral nerve disorders, MRI has allowed healthcare providers to diagnose conditions that could only be assumed clinically in the past.

 

For example, practitioners can now diagnose multiple sclerosis with an MRI, a diagnosis that was limited to an assessment of symptoms alone before MRI was available (and could only be confirmed on an autopsy).

 

For breast cancer screening, MRI is more accurate than mammography, but the higher price makes it impractical for people who do not have underlying risk factors for breast cancer (such as a strong family history, BRCA mutation, or a history of childhood cancer).

 

There is now a newer technique called fast MRI is a rapid, much less expensive test that may be more accurate in detecting early breast cancer in the future.

 

As with CT, contrast is often used to better define regions that are being scanned, with a common agent being gadolinium. Magnetic resonance technology may also be used as an alternative to more invasive procedures at times, such as with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).

 

An advantage of MRI is that it does not use ionizing radiation, which has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, especially in children. Limitations include the cost, body mass index (MRI is difficult in very overweight people), and that it may not be used in people who have metal in their body.

 

Ultrasound

 

This radiation-based diagnosing technology uses sound waves (acoustic energy) in producing moving images of a part of the body. This is best known to examine a fetus during pregnancy.

 

Breast ultrasound can often distinguish breast cysts from masses. Cysts may be aspirated under ultrasound guidance and their disappearance can be reassuring as well (no further evaluation may be needed).

 

Heart ultrasound (electrocardiogram) can be used for evaluating the heart valves, heart motion, the pericardium (lining in the heart) and more.

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Created on Mar 30th 2022 23:57. Viewed 231 times.

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