Radiology

Radiology is a field of medicine that utilizes a variety of modern devices for imaging the inside of the body in order to detect changes in internal organs and establish a diagnosis. Radiology plays a key role in modern medicine as itprovides insights into the structure and function of organs and tissues. It is used in almost all medical specialties, including cardiology, surgery, oncology, orthopedic surgery, and neurology. Radiological imaging helps doctors visualize internal structures, detect abnormalities, assess the extent of disease, guide interventional procedures, and monitor response to treatment.

Radiologists are doctors who specialize in establishing diagnoses based on their examination of the body with different imaging modalities.

Methods for obtaining images of the inside of the body

There are various methods for obtaining images of the internal structures of the body that enable the diagnosisand/or monitoring of different health conditions. These include X-ray imaging, computed tomography (CT), nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI), mammography, and ultrasound.

• X-ray imaging(X-rays): Most commonly usedforimaging bones, the chest, and lungs.

• Ultrasound: To form an image, this methodemploys mechanical (sound) waves generated by a special probe that is placed on the patient’s body. Ultrasound is very widely applied in medicine. It is used as a method for examining soft tissues, tendons and muscles, the breastsand the thyroid gland, as well as the abdomen, the pelvis, and the testicles. The special property of ultrasound waves – the Doppler effect – enables its use in examining blood flow in blood vessels and the heart. Ultrasound is an indispensable method in gynecology, where it is used to examine female reproductive organs and the fetus, during pregnancy.

• Computed tomography (CT) scan: This technique is based on computer reconstruction of the image created when X-rays pass through a certain part of the body. A CT scan provides more details than an X-ray and can better show areas where tissues overlap. The use of a contrast agent during a CT examination further improves visualization and increases the accuracy of the examination. Modern multislice scanners contain numerous detectors that enable a quick examination with minimal radiation doses.

• Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI): Employs strong magnetic fields and radio waves for producing images of the inside of the body. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging is considered to bethe most accurate diagnostic tool. NMRI plays an important role in the examination of soft tissues, muscles, joints, organs of the nervous system – the brain and spinal cord, the breasts, heart, abdomen, and pelvis.

• Mammography: A specialized medical imaging technique used for detecting and diagnosing breast abnormalities. It involves the use of low-dose X-rays to create images of breast tissue,in order to identify early signs of breast cancer, lumps, calcifications, or other lesions that may not be palpable during a physical exam, thus allowing for prompt intervention and treatment.

• Osteodensitometry: An imaging technique used for measuring bone density and strength, known as bone densitometry or bone mineral density (BMD) testing. It is primarily used to diagnose osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weakened and brittle bones that are more susceptible to fractures. Osteodensitometry is an essential tool in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and fractures.