The field of medicine which works with radio waves is called radiology and can help people in many different ways.
The technique of radiology involves study as well as application of imaging technologies in order to diagnose as well as treat various diseases. Some of these imaging technologies that are used are computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and ultra sound.
There is another method of radiology known as the interventional radiology is the carrying out of medical techniques using minimal invasive techniques. The technical people who are responsible for carrying out the radiological techniques are known as radiologists or radiologic technologist. The technique of radiology has been the cornerstone of the medical procedures for more than a century now. The various imaging techniques that are used by the radiologists help them in the correct diagnosis as well as treatment of a variety of diseases. In particular these techniques have really proved to be very helpful in diagnosing as well as treating some of the most perilous diseases like cancer.
Radiologists play a key role in cancer diagnosis and clinical staging. As imaging technology improves, radiologists are able to detect smaller and therefore earlier tumors. Increasingly, radiologists also obtain diagnostic tissue from the patient and send it to the laboratory along with pertinent clinical information for further analysis by a pathologist. Additionally, radiologists conduct a range of imaging studies that can detect the presence of cancer metastases. This information is used to determine the stage of a patient’s cancer. Finally, radiologists are responsible for releasing reports of their findings that become part of the patients’ medical record.
Apart from getting the critically important images for the treatment of diseases, this technique can also be used to guide other medical techniques that are more invasive in nature. In many of the invasive treatment methods a careful guidance of the instruments is required through those areas of the body that are not easily visible. In procedures like angioplasty, and radiograms, imaging techniques like fluorescent markers, ultrasound, and MRI are used.
An efficient, high-quality radiology department increases patient satisfaction as a result of its ability to improve patient care. Over time, a well-run radiology department adds significant patient volumes to the hospital, which, of course, favorably enhances the hospital’s bottom line.
