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What is Diagnostic Radiology?
Doctors often need to look inside the human body to diagnose a patient’s condition. Diagnostic radiology is a group of methods that utilise non-invasive techniques to identify and monitor certain diseases. In all areas of medical care, diagnostic radiology plays an integral role in the diagnosis of disease or injury. Some examinations use radiation to create detailed anatomical images of body parts, but these radiation levels are always well below the limits determined to be safe.
Examples of diagnostic
radiology include:
- Radiography (X-rays)
- Ultrasound
- Computed Tomography (CT) scans
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans
- Nuclear medicine scans
Diagnostic radiology can be used to identify a wide range of conditions. Broken bones, heart disease, blood clots, and gastrointestinal problems are just a few examples of issues that can be detected through diagnostic imaging.
In addition to identifying problems, doctors can use diagnostic radiology to monitor how your body is responding to treatment. For example, in cancer patients, imaging can help assess the effectiveness of a particular therapy.
Diagnostic radiology can also be used for disease screening, such as for breast cancer or colon cancer. Screening may provide reassurance if no abnormality is found, or allow early detection so that treatment can begin promptly and may be more effective.