Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging

Radiology and diagnostic imaging represent one of the most significant advancements in medicine, allowing for the precise and non-invasive evaluation of a patient's health. Thanks to the latest techniques, not only is diagnostic reliability increased, but patients are also more inclined to undergo a diagnostic procedure, given its non-invasive nature. This results in better disease prevention and improved patient quality of life.

 

Radiology

What is Radiology?

Radiology is a branch of medicine that uses radiation to reach internal organs in order to reproduce an image to obtain information about the structure and function of the organ itself.

Traditional X-rays are performed by exposing the subject, or the specific body part to be analyzed, to X-rays, or ionizing radiation, produced by a generator. A portion of the rays, corresponding to particular structures, is not absorbed by the body but is reflected and printed on a special film, which then faithfully represents the irradiated structure. Currently, radiological images are digital, instead of the classic photographic plates. X-rays are particularly effective for analyzing rigid structures such as bones and teeth. For this reason, X-rays of these organs are normally prescribed in cases of suspected fracture or in dentistry. However, internal organs such as, for example, the lungs can also be examined with this technique, followed by other more precise imaging analyses if necessary.

 

No special preparation is necessary for an X-ray, but it is advisable to avoid absorbing too many X-rays in a short period of time, and to abstain during pregnancy unless strictly necessary.

 

What are the different types of X-rays?

Here is a list of the most common X-rays:

• Femur X-ray;
• Chest X-ray;
• Lumbosacral spine X-ray;
• Pelvis X-ray;
• Dental X-ray;

A variant of traditional X-rays is fluoroscopy, which is useful for analyzing internal organs. To perform this examination, it is necessary to use contrast products and the X-ray beam that will "pass through" the body will be fixed on a fluorescent screen creating a digital image that can be magnified.

Mammography is a diagnostic imaging examination that uses lower-dose X-rays to obtain a map of the structure and tissues of the breast in order to identify suspicious neoformations, even small ones, at an early stage.

 

Computerized bone mineral densitometry (MOC) is a specific examination that measures bone densitometry, i.e., the percentage of mineral salts present in the bone. It is therefore the best tool for the prevention and diagnosis of osteoporosis. The examination only takes a few minutes and requires no preparation. The patient lies on a couch and is exposed to X-rays so that the beam is absorbed and released in an amount proportional to the density of its structural components. At the same time, the computer reads the acquired information and transforms it into images and percentages. There are four types of MOC depending on the part of the skeleton to be analyzed: total body, spine, femur or forearm.

 

Diagnostic Imaging

What is Diagnostic Imaging?

Diagnostic imaging includes other important investigation methods that use means other than ionizing radiation.

 

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses ultrasound. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves that are sent to the internal organs by a sonar and return an "echo" that is transformed into images and provides information on their morphology. Ultrasound is widely used during pregnancy to check the health and growth of the fetus and the formation of different anatomical structures (morphological ultrasound), and in cardiology with cardiac ultrasound and echocardiography. The latter is an examination that combines the ultrasound method with the Doppler technique for the visualization of blood vessels and their incoming and outgoing blood flow. Ultrasound does not require any special preparation, except for the lower abdomen, which requires a gas-free intestine and a full bladder.

 

Common ultrasound examinations are:

• Head and neck ultrasound;
• Upper, lower and complete abdomen ultrasound;
• Breast ultrasound (unilateral and bilateral);
• Gynecological ultrasound;
• Thoracic ultrasound;
• Testicular ultrasound;

Computed Tomography (CT)

Computed tomography, commonly called a CT scan, represents the evolution of X-rays, as it combines X-ray technology with 3D digital imaging allowing the simultaneous analysis of rigid structures such as bones, soft tissues and the vascular system.

 

Here are some examples of CT scans:

• Full abdomen CT scan;
• Pelvis CT scan;
• Brain and skull CT scan;
• Spine CT scan and cervical vertebrae speculum;
• Lumbosacral and coccyx spine CT scan;
• Thoracic spine CT scan; thoracic vertebral speculum scan;
• Thorax CT scan;
• Upper abdomen CT scan;
• Lower abdomen CT scan;

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Magnetic resonance imaging produces detailed three-dimensional anatomical images of the organ examined. Magnetic resonance imaging is particularly useful for soft tissues of the body and is also well accepted by patients because it does not use ionizing radiation and generally not even contrast agents.

However, due to the high intensity of the applied magnetic field, it is necessary for the patient to report to the physician the presence of metal prostheses and pacemakers that could be affected by exposure to the magnetic field.

 

Preparation for Radiology and Imaging Examinations

Generally, diagnostic examinations performed in radiology or medical imaging do not require special preparation. However, depending on the type of examination to be performed, it may be necessary to:

• Arrive on an empty stomach;
• Take corticosteroid prophylaxis for allergic patients;
• Fill out a medical history form;
• Arrive with a full bladder;
• Present specific tests;

 

[dt_sc_button title="Free Quote" size="medium" style="bordered" icon_type="" link="url:https%3A%2F%2F127.0.0.1/tds%2Fdevis%2F" textcolor="#ffffff" bgcolor="#0c73ba">