About Radiology
What is Radiology?
Radiology refers to the branch of medicine using x-rays, radiopharmaceuticals, magnetic resonance and ultrasound to create images (pictures) of the body that are used to help in the diagnosis and treatment of disease or injury. Interventional radiology is a subspecialty of radiology that uses medical imaging to diagnose and guide the treatment of medical conditions throughout the body percutaneously (through the skin). Many of the procedures now performed by interventional radiologists have eliminated or reduced the need for surgery.
Not all radiology procedures involve the use of ionizing radiation, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance. Examinations that do require ionizing radiation are performed at closely monitored levels considered safe. The use of ionizing radiation in children is a special concern and one which our pediatric radiologists have addressed with stringent protocols to minimize dose while maintaining exam quality.
What is a Radiologist?
A radiologist is a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine who has completed college, medical school, and a residency program in radiology and is specifically trained to interpret medical images. The radiologist provides a written report to the patient's referring physician. This helps the patient's doctor determine a diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
All of our radiologists at Advanced Radiology Services are board-certified by the American Board of Radiology or American Osteopathic Board of Radiology. Many have completed additional subspecialty training by participating in a Fellowship program beyond their residency and/or have obtained a Certificate of Added Qualification in their respective subspecialty.
What kinds of medical imaging techniques are used in radiology?
A number of techniques and procedures are used to capture medical images. X-rays have been used for over 100 years and remain the most familiar and most widely used form of medical imaging. Over the decades, radiology has advanced and evolved into a high-tech science using state-of-the-art equipment and new diagnostic and interventional procedures. Some of the most commonly used radiology techniques include X-ray, Angiography, Fluoroscopy, Mammography, Ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Nuclear Medicine, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Bone Densitometry (Dexa-Scan). For a description of these techniques, please see our services.
How are the patient's medical images viewed and stored?
As the practice of radiology continues to advance, so does the way medical images are viewed and stored. Until recently, medical images were developed on film. Today, with the advances in computer technology, radiology is turning to PACS, (Picture Archiving and Communication System) which enables the images to be interpreted, stored and distributed as digital files.
This new technology allows multiple medical images to be sent directly to a computer screen where a radiologist can assemble the images into sequence for interpretation. PACS enables the radiologist to manipulate the images, to maximize diagnostic information, and to provide 3-dimensional reconstructions. It also allows real time consultation between the radiologist and referring physician.
