| Diagnostic imaging is an umbrella term for a wide | | | | CT Scans |
| variety of scans, examinations and images that are | | | | Also known as CAT Scans, these are a more |
| used in the field of medicine. Technology today is | | | | advanced type of scan that can be used to examine |
| extremely advanced and now physicians can call upon | | | | the whole body from the brain to the ligaments. It too |
| a variety of imaging techniques to help examine the | | | | uses radiation in the same way that traditional X-rays |
| inside of the body and therefore make an accurate | | | | do, however the multitude of images that get taken |
| diagnosis. Scans and images of the body can enable a | | | | are processed by CT software to provide doctors |
| host of health problems and abnormalities be seen that | | | | with a 3D image of the body. In this way it is a very |
| might otherwise go unnoticed as symptoms of serious | | | | effective type of scan, capable of detecting most |
| illness does not always appear immediately. For | | | | serious illnesses including the majority of cancers and |
| anyone wishing to know more about the different type | | | | tumors. It is a non-invasive procedure just like the |
| of diagnostic imaging used today and how they can | | | | X-ray and is particularly appropriate and often the |
| help a patient, this article is for you. | | | | imaging solution for anyone who has been involved in |
| Radiologic technology | | | | a serious trauma where there are no outward signs of |
| This is much more commonly known as X-ray | | | | serious injury. Internal bleeding or swelling of the brain |
| technology, and this is probably the most well known | | | | could easily have occurred but would need a CT scan |
| type of image taken of the body. A radiologic | | | | to detect. |
| technologist is responsible for carrying out x-ray | | | | MRI Scan |
| examinations, a procedure where a small dose of | | | | An MRI stands for magnetic resonance image and this |
| radiation passes through the body, some of the rays | | | | too provides an incredibly accurate and effective way |
| being absorbed as they go and all traveling at different | | | | of scanning the body. Rather than using X-rays, an |
| speeds. These rays are projected onto special film | | | | MRI consists of creating a magnetic field through which |
| which produces an image of the inside of the body. | | | | radio waves travel to the area of the body being |
| X-rays are most commonly used to look for fractures | | | | examined. This makes the nuclei of the atoms in the |
| and broken bones although other conditions can be | | | | specific region emit energy which can be detected by |
| spotted from an X-ray. If a doctor notices something | | | | a computer. An image is created on the computer that |
| unusual in an X-ray then usually a further test such as | | | | can then be interpreted by a radiologist. |
| an MRI scan or CT scan may be carried out. None of | | | | There are further examples of medical diagnostic |
| these are invasive procedures, and the patient can | | | | imaging that are used every day by doctors |
| receive them on an outpatient basis. Scans such as | | | | throughout the world. There is no doubt that medical |
| these are often undertaken following a serious | | | | imaging solution technology plays a vital role in the |
| accident or trauma. | | | | diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from |
| Ultrasound technology | | | | serious illness. Scans such as those outlined above are |
| Usually an ultrasound is the imaging solution for | | | | important components of oncology solutions in |
| examining fetuses within the womb. Ultrasound | | | | particular as they may enable the cancer to be caught |
| technology can view body structures in a way that | | | | early and therefore treated more successfully. |
| X-rays cannot and provides a clearer and more in | | | | Scanned images coupled with modern technology and |
| depth picture. Although pregnancy is a common | | | | software are an efficient and reliable way to clearly |
| reason for using ultrasound technology, it can also be | | | | see the interior of the body and are increasingly |
| used to examine the muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments | | | | assisting medical teams in carrying out successful |
| and internal organs within the body. | | | | diagnoses and treatment . |