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Imaging and radiology

Interventional radiology; Diagnostic radiology; X-ray imaging

 

Radiology is a branch of medicine that uses imaging technology to diagnose and treat disease.

Radiology may be divided into two different areas, diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology. Doctors who specialize in radiology are called radiologists.

Information

 

DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY

Diagnostic radiology helps health care professionals see structures inside your body. Doctors that specialize in the interpretation of these images are called diagnostic radiologists. Using the diagnostic images, the radiologist or other physicians can often:

  • Diagnose the cause of your symptoms
  • Monitor how well your body is responding to a treatment you are receiving for your disease or condition
  • Screen for different illnesses, such as breast cancer, colon cancer, or heart disease

The most common types of diagnostic radiology exams include:

  • Computed tomography (CT), also known as a CAT scan (computerized axial tomography), including CT angiography
  • Fluoroscopy, including upper GI and barium enema
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
  • Mammography
  • Nuclear medicine, which includes such tests as a bone scan , thyroid scan , and thallium cardiac stress test
  • Plain x-rays , which includes chest x-ray
  • Positron emission tomography , also called PET imaging or a PET scan
  • Ultrasound

INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY

Interventional radiologists are doctors that use imaging such as CT, ultrasound, MRI and fluoroscopy to help guide procedures. The imaging is helpful to the doctor when inserting catheters, wires, and other small instruments and tools into your body. This typically allows for smaller incisions (cuts).

Doctors can use this technology to diagnose or treat conditions in almost any part of the body instead of needing to directly look inside of your body through a scope (camera) or with open surgery.

Interventional radiologists often are involved in treating cancers or tumors, blockages in the arteries and veins, fibroids in the uterus, back pain, liver problems, and kidney problems.

The doctor will make no incision or only a very small one. You rarely need to stay in the hospital after the procedure. Most persons need only moderate sedation (medicines to help you relax).

Examples of interventional radiology procedures include:

  • Angiography or angioplasty and stent placement
  • Embolization to control bleeding
  • Cancer treatments including tumor embolization using chemoembolization or Y-90 radioembolization
  • Tumor ablation with radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, or microwave ablation
  • Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty
  • Needle biopsies of different organs, such as the lungs and thyroid gland
  • Breast biopsy, guided either by stereotactic or ultrasound techniques
  • Uterine artery embolization
  • Feeding tube placement
  • Venous access catheter placement, such as ports and PICCs

 

 

Open References

References

Mettler FA. Introduction. In: Mettler FA, ed. Essentials of Radiology . 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 1.

Watson N. General notes. In: Watson N, ed. Chapman & Nakielny's Guide to Radiological Procedures . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2012:chap 1.

Zenman EM, Schreiber EC, Tepper JE. Basics of radiation therapy. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Doroshow JH, Kastan MB, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology . 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2014:chap 27.

 

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            Review Date: 10/3/2015

            Reviewed By: Jason Levy, MD, Northside Radiology Associates, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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