Earlier days, before the development of Radiology, Imaging technologies were just used to take X-rays. The most medical diagnosis then required invasive procedures and sometimes-even guesswork. But with the invention of MRI and ultrasound technology, doctors across the globe can do a better diagnosis of patients. Radiologists use a number of methods to identify a wide range of problems like clogged arteries, tumours, cancer, gastrointestinal conditions to name a few. All these tests are done using varied equipment like ultrasound, CT scan etc.
For a patient, it’s important to have an idea which machines are used to diagnose what kind of disease. The uses of different equipment are given below.
MRI:
MRI has been a boon to find out the damages of the brain. The detailed images it produces has been a huge benefit for the study of the brain. It allows us to see which parts of the brain have been damaged while a patient is still alive. In the past, we had to wait until a postmortem to find out. By examining a high-resolution image of the brain of a living patient helps the doctor treat the patient well.
CT Scan:
CT take pictures of internal body structures. Conventional x-rays also do the same thing but in case of X-Ray the, structures overlap like, the ribs overlay the lung and heart making diagnosis difficult. But in a CT image overlapping structures are eliminated, making the internal anatomy more apparent. CT scan images let the radiologists and other physicians identify internal structures of organs and asses their shape, size, density and texture. This detailed information can be used to determine if there is a medical problem as well as the extent and exact location of the problem, and other important details. The images can also show if no abnormality is present. It is also useful in the Prenatal diagnosis of birth defects. It helps the doctors to manage a newborn well, as it enables medical practitioners to make any necessary preparations even before the baby is delivered.
Nuclear Medicine:
This branch of radiology is used to diagnose a disease like cancer, neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson ’s, and cardiovascular disease in their initial stages, permitting earlier initiation of treatment which increases the chance of patients getting better and reduce mortality.
Interventional Radiology:
This branch of radiology has greatly improved the treatment options to be received by the patients. In some cases, the patient had to undergo major surgery but with the help of interventional radiology those conditions can be treated easily and allow the doctor to be accurate in their diagnosis an minimize the risks that can occur when a patient has to undergo a major surgery. This technique is mainly used in the treatment of heart, uterine fibroids and in the treatment of certain cancers like kidney, liver and bone.
Technology has indeed made radiology as a critical piece connected to the health system that enables quick and accurate diagnosis of the patients, regardless of the disease state. We might feel that we have reached the pinnacle, where advancements in Radiology is concerned. Still, a lot of improvement is required. The machine to carry out such tests need to become smaller, the cost of diagnosis cheaper and reduction in the radiation doses while treating patients for cancer to name a few.