Diagnostic Radiologists are trained to use all types of medical imaging to aid in the diagnosis of conditions and diseases throughout the entire body. Common types of medical imaging used by diagnostic radiologists include:
Computed Tomography (CT)
Computed Tomography, also called a CT scan or a CAT scan, is a safe and painless exam that uses x-ray technology to obtain detailed, cross-sectional images of a patient’s body. CT is often the preferred technology for diagnosing cancer and for visualizing several types of tissue with great clarity, including organs such as the liver, spleen, pancreas and kidneys.
Common CT exams include:
- CT Angiography
- CT Pulmonary Angiography
- CT Urography
- Heart Screen (Coronary Calcification)
- Image Guided Biopsy
- Lung Screening (Smokers)
- Orthopedic/Neuro/ENT Imaging
- Pediatric Imaging
Fluoroscopy
Gastrointestinal radiology includes imaging examinations of the throat, esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas as well as the small and large intestine. These organs are examined by fluoroscopy, ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.
- Barium enema (BE)
- Enteroclysis
- Esophagram
- Small bowel series (SBS)
- Stomal examinations
- Swallowing study
- Upper GI series (UGI)
Uroradiology is the study of the entire urinary tract which includes the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra and reproductive organs. Various imaging modalities are employed depending on the clinical question and anatomic area of interest. Interventional procedures may be necessary to diagnose certain conditions of the urinary tract.
- Cystography
- Retrograde urethrography (RUG)
- Voiding cystourethrography (VCUG)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI is safe, painless and potentially one of the most accurate, noninvasive procedures available to obtain images of the body. In many cases, a high quality MRI reveals exquisite anatomic detail and eliminates the need for additional diagnostic procedures. In MRI, a magnet is used in conjunction with radio waves and a sophisticated computer system to generate accurate images of the body without using any radiation. MRI is frequently used to study muscles, joints, the brain and spine, the abdomen, pelvis, chest and blood vessels.
Common MRI exams include:
- Brain MRI
- Breast MRI
- Image Guided Biopsy
- MR Angiography (MRA) and MR Venography (MRV) to evaluate the vascular system
- Musculoskeletal MRI
- Organs of the body including kidneys, liver, spleen, bowel and pancreas
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a radiology imaging modality that utilizes high frequency sound waves, without radiation, to generate images. Organ biopsies are frequently performed with ultrasound guidance; including biopsies of the liver, prostate gland, thyroid gland, and breast, as well as other superficial masses such as lymph nodes. Lastly, thoracentesis and paracentesis can be quickly and efficiently completed with ultrasound guidance.
Common ultrasound exams include:
- Evaluation of the abdomen including the liver, spleen, gall bladder, biliary tract, pancreas, kidneys and abdominal aorta
- Female pelvis to evaluate the uterus and ovaries
- Image Guided Biopsy
- Male pelvis to evaluate the urinary bladder and the prostate gland
- Obstetrical ultrasound allows for a fetus to be studied for size and dates as well as detailed organ system anatomy
- Ultrasound of the breast is a critical adjunct to mammography and physical examination in the evaluation of both benign and malignant diseases of the breast
- Other ultrasound studies include the imaging of “small parts” evaluating the thyroid gland and scrotum, as well as musculoskeletal applications such as popliteal fossa, tendons, and soft tissue masses
X-ray
X-ray, or radiography, is the most commonly performed imaging study for diagnostic radiologists. X-rays are a form of energy that pass through the body and strike a film to create an image of the anatomy. X-rays are most often used to diagnose bone fractures, but may also help to diagnose a number of conditions throughout the body.
