What is Radiology?Radiology is the study of images of the human body. A Radiologist is a physician who has become a specialist in Radiology – a doctor who has taken additional training in the interpretation of medical images. Although Radiology initially starts with X–ray images later it extends to Ultrasound, CT, MRI, Angiograms, Radio nuclide images studies etc.
In general, “Radiology” refers to medical imaging techniques, employing advanced computers and other complex equipment, that allows doctors to see inside a patient’s body without bloodshed and pain. Although the word “Radiology” implies radiation, not all of the techniques actually use radiation. And although radiology is most commonly used for diagnosis, sometimes it's used therapeutically.
How is Radiology useful for patients?Radiology plays a key role in the management of disease by giving information about the nature, site and extent of the disease in addition to cause and complications of the disease. By this information it is possible to decide what treatment (medical or surgical) is necessary for the disease. If surgery is involved, it helps to determine whether the patient is fit for surgery or not and also helps to determine the time for surgery and plan for surgical approach. Radiology is also useful in interventions like FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology), Abscess Drainage, Tumor Ablation and in treating vascular lesions like Aneurysm and Arterio–Venous Malformations.
Radiology is also useful in therapeutic follow up of the disease, especially to know the possible recurrence of the tumor. It is useful to detect complications following a surgery. More importantly, it helps in early and accurate diagnosis.
What are the various methods in Radiology?There are different methods through which a radiologist can diagnose the disease.
These are as follows.
- Image Intensifier.
- Ultrasound and Color Doppler.
- CT Scan.
- Radio–nuclide study.
Let us study about all these methods in detail.