Radiological examinations produce various images that show the inside of the body and thus facilitate diagnoses. One well-known radiological examination, for example, is mammography for the early detection of breast cancer.
Mammography is currently the best method for detecting breast cancer at an early stage @ Peakstock /AdobeStock
While an X-ray image can accurately depict the bones of the human skeleton, intervertebral discs, cartilage and tendons, for example, are only visible in an MRI image. X-ray diagnostics works by means of stressful X-rays and computer tomography also uses this technique.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and sonography (ultrasound), however, do not use any harmful radiation. MRI was also discovered and developed more recently than X-rays.
Although the fields of radiotherapy and nuclear medicine are closely related to radiology, they are now independent medical specialties. Neuroradiology is a branch of radiology.
When radiological procedures are used directly as therapy rather than purely for diagnostic purposes, doctors refer to this as interventional radiology. These interventional radiology treatments are usually carried out on an outpatient basis and do not require hospitalization.
After studying human medicine, radiology specialists must complete at least five years of further training in order to specialize as radiologists.
In addition to the radiological examination methods of diagnostics, i.e. the imaging procedures, the radiology specialist learns the techniques and physical rules of the measuring devices such as MRI, CT or X-ray, in particular the diagnosis, i.e. the exact interpretation of the images from inside the body.
In addition to carrying out a radiological examination, the assessment and diagnosis of a disease are among the most important activities of a radiologist. They are not only able to assess the resulting images most accurately, but also provide direction for further treatment.
In addition, further subspecializations such as paediatric radiologist, radiotherapist or nuclear medicine specialist are now common.
While radiologists used to mainly diagnose, today there are also radiology specialists who treat complex clinical pictures. This falls into the field of interventional radiology.
Diagnostics is still the main field of activity of a radiologist. However, the clinical field of radiology is becoming more and more extensive.
In interventional radiology, the radiology specialist can use minimally invasive procedures with the help of radiological technologies . The following are treated
- Vascular diseases (e.g. stents or balloon dilatation for constrictions and occlusions),
- tumors (e.g. embolization for cancer of the uterus, liver or prostate) or
- for image-guided pain therapy for spinal disorders and joint pain.
Such procedures are carried out by the radiology specialist on an outpatient or day-care basis.
State-of-the-art equipment is used in interventional radiology. In addition, the radiologist performing the procedure must have special skills in order to be able to carry out minimally invasive procedures with the best possible results. The expert in interventional radiology requires delicate dexterity and very good spatial awareness so that the surgical instruments can be inserted according to the radiological imaging image.
In addition to these minimally invasive procedures, there is still enormous potential in the field of radiology, which is constantly evolving due to technical progress. These include, for example, therapy monitoring and minimally invasive oncology.
Apart from the fact that no metal objects are allowed near or in the MRI scanner, there are no known harmful side effects.
The strong magnetic field during a radiological examination using MRI attracts metal parts and can therefore lead to injuries if there are metallic foreign bodies in the body. In the past, for example, there have been incidents involving a pacemaker, a metal splinter in a patient's brain or external metal plates.
Nowadays, however, these complications are well known and can be ruled out during an MRI scan. The contrast medium required in most cases also has little or no side effects.
With an MRI scan, all organs inside the body can be viewed from different angles @ omune /AdobeSTock
Nowadays, all diagnostic imaging procedures involve only minor risks, which can be minimized as far as possible with the right knowledge and precautions. Doctors and patients can protect themselves from ionizing X-ray radiation.
For people who are occupationally exposed to X-rays, the maximum value is 20 mSv per year. In order to check this, the persons concerned, such as doctors or MTAs, must wear a so-called dosimeter.
To protect themselves from X-rays during examinations, radiologists and patients wear lead aprons, goggles or thyroid protection, for example. The potential damage they cause is out of all proportion to the enormous benefits that radiology imaging procedures have for diagnostics.
Only radiology can produce clear images of the inside of the body that provide information about the signs of a disease and how it can be treated most effectively.