Most people who have been to a hospital or clinic have probably heard some mention of diagnostic radiation. But many of them likely aren't exactly sure what it is. Since most of us don't have a medical degree, it can sometimes be confusing when words like this are thrown around. So what actually is diagnostic radiation?
Identification
Diagnostic radiation is essentially the creation of pictures or images of the internal organs through external means. It's a non-invasive method of detecting an illness, disease or malady that may afflict a patient. Basically, it's the taking of X-rays, in a broad sense of the term, to diagnose a problem without ever having to open up the person. This doesn't mean that the individual will never have to go through any sort of surgery. That's all dependent on what the results of the diagnostic radiation tell the doctor. But it won't happen until after the images have been taken and a diagnosis can be made.
Types
Diagnostic radiation is a fairly expansive classification of procedures or methods of creating these images. It would include a CT (Computed Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), Mammography, Radiography and Ultrasound. Within each of these, there are also additional modalities, including colonography, angiography, galactography, hysterosonography, arthrography and myelography. Ultimately, the type of imaging used to create the pictures depends on the area of the body in which the diagnostic radiation is needed--meaning you wouldn't necessarily use a CT to examine a woman's breast.
Function
Obviously, the main function of any sort of diagnostic radiation would be aiding in the detection and diagnosis of any diseases or other health-related issues without having to open up the patient. Yet, much like the broad classification itself, each type of diagnostic radiation has its individual purpose. And each has its own benefits (speed, efficacy or cost), depending on the potential problems a certain patient may have.
Features
A CT, which is often referred to as a CAT scan, scans the body via several X-ray beams (several being the operative word) as the machine itself rotates around the patient. It's used as a somewhat quick method of detecting potential problems in the abdomen, chest, head, spine and even sinuses, to name only a few. CTs can detect internal trauma, skeletal injuries, damage to the neck or spine, a number of forms of cancer (lung, liver, pancreas and so on) and tumors and tissue that wouldn't necessarily be seen in other forms of radiation.
While used in almost the same regard as a CT, an MRI is also utilized in monitoring the efficacy of a patient's treatment. It can detect the difference between abnormal tissue and normal tissue better than the other forms of radiation. You'll see it a lot in the evaluation of internal organs (like the heart, liver and kidney) and bones (like the hip and pelvis), arterial anomalies, abnormalities of the reproductive organs and diseases of the heart.
Mammography is used predominantly in a procedure most women are familiar with: the mammogram. It's one of the best ways of detecting breast cancer early.
Radiography is essentially the form of diagnostic radiation most people are familiar with, as it is often referred to as X-rays. This form of radiation is predominantly used for issues involving the skeleton.
Ultrasound is the method of using high-frequency sound waves to detecting a condition inside the body. Most people associate ultrasound with pregnancy, as it is probably the safest and most effective way of examining the fetus in the womb. However, it is also used to diagnose problems involving pain and swelling, to guide needles during medical procedures, to guide biopsies and to examine internal organs (like the liver, spleen, kidneys and bladder).
Warning
While diagnostic radiation is an essential part of patient care, it does come with some risks. When a person is exposed to excessive amounts of radiation, there is a very slight chance of cancer. With procedures like the MRI, the sedation methods used can have an adverse effect on some individuals. And people may have an allergic reaction to any injection used to create the images. But the benefits truly outweigh any of the risks.
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