Radiology, the branch of medical sciences which deals with treatment procedures employing imaging techniques like x-ray and radiation for diagnosing and determining the exact nature of disease uses an array of technologies for performing a medical test on a human body. The imaging technologies which are used for the purpose are like ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET) and resonance imaging (MRI). And it is the discretion of radiology technologist who carries out procedures for performing. However, radiology is performed by using following procedures and techniques.
Fluoroscopy: This is another popular method employed under Radiology for the purpose of imaging in medicine. It is an extended form of X-ray imaging where a fluorescent screen and image intensifier is being attached with a close –circuit television system for a real time imaging of body parts in motion. In fluoroscopy Radiocontrast agents are either injected into or are administered by swallowing into human body to determine examination and working of blood vessels and the genitourinary system.
Computed tomography: This is another method as used in Radiology for purpose of imaging. Under this technique X-rays in coordination with computing algorithms measures images of the body. In CT, an X-ray generating tube as opposite to X-ray detector in spherical equipments moves around a patient and produces cross sectional image of a patient’s body. However, the demerit with radiograph is letting a patient to have exposure to more ionizing radiation in comparison to radiograph.
Projection (plain) radiography: Under this technology, X rays are passed through a patient’s body and later on are transformed into an image for that body part for the purpose of diagnosis. The most general type of images as produced from X-rays is silver impregnated films. With the passing passage of time Plain radiography and Digital Radiography has also come into vogue. In Digital Radiography X rays are strike over a plate of sensors that further on changes signals into digital image over computer screen.
Ultrasound: One of the oldest techniques of Radiology, it uses high frequency sound waves to look into soft tissue structures of a patient’s body. As there is no ionization is used therefore in ultrasound image quality depends upon the skills of a person who is taking Ultra Sound.
Nuclear medicine: This is the most advanced form of Radiology technique where radiopharmaceuticals consisted of certain particles with affinity to body tissues along with radioactive tracer is administered to a patient’s body. The most common tracers used in Nuclear medicine are Technetium -99m, Iodine -123, Iodine -131, Gallium-67 and Thallium -201.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Under MRI strong magnetic fields are employed as to assess atomic nuclei in body within tissues to have a better imaging quality for the purpose of diagnosing a patient. MRI is very nice to produce images in axial, coronal, sagittal and multiple oblique planes with equal ease. With a number of features like fast scanning speed, spatial resolution, computer 3D algorithms and hardware MRI has become a phenomenon in musculoskeletal radiology and neuroradiology.
