Radiology is the branch of medicine that deals with obtaining images of organs and tissues, for the diagnosis or treatment of diseases and disorders.
What does a radiologist do?
A radiologist is a physician who collaborates with other specialists in order to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders, by providing and interpreting images of organs and tissues inside the body.
There are three types of radiology namely, diagnostic radiology, using X-rays, CAT scan, MRI, ultrasound and nuclear medicine to obtain images that are then analyzed in order to diagnose an illness or health problem. Oncology radiology, using radiation to treat diseases such as cancer, and interventional radiology, which uses imaging tools for both diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders by means of x-rays, ultrasound and magnetic resonance, making it possible to conduct medical procedures with minimally invasive treatments.
What diseases are treated by a radiologist?
A radiologist has to deal with numerous different types of diseases and disorders such as abdominal aortic aneurysm, angina pectoris, appendicitis, arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gallstones, diverticulitis, epilepsy, cystic fibrosis, stroke, kidney failure, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Others include croup, lymphomas, Crohn's disease, osteoporosis, pneumonia, carotid stenosis, head injuries, brain tumors, and cancers of the breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, colorectal and prostate.
What are the procedures used by a radiologist?
Among the procedures most often used by a radiologist are echography, mammography, PET scan, radiograph, magnetic resonance imaging, and sonography.
When should a patient visit a radiologist?
Typically another specialist will refer a patient to a radiologist. Following the visit a radiologist will provides a written report, which will then be analyzed by the doctor who prescribed the analysis.
