What is Radiology?

Radiology is a clinical speciality of increasing complexity and one that is taking on therapeutic as well as diagnostic aspects.

The practice of radiology involves performing a variety of different medical diagnostic imaging procedures, and the interpretation of those procedures in order to make a diagnosis of a disease or disorder.

Generally, patients are referred for diagnostic imaging services by their own physician, and the radiologist provides a written interpretation report for the referring physician.

The medical specialty of radiology uses various imaging modalities including x-ray, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to diagnose and treat disease, disorders and trauma cases.

Radiologists diagnose virtually all diseases including cancer, heart disease inflammatory, infectious and degenerative diseases, neurological conditions, women's health and osteoporosis.

Radiologists recommend management strategies for disease and often use imaging to provide minimally invasive therapy.

Radiology is a miracle of modern medicine which has lead to substantially reduced health care costs, fewer hospital admissions and earlier diagnosis of disease.

Delayed diagnosis can lead to inadequate and ineffective treatment.

Radiologist's Role In Health

Modern equipment offers a broad range of possibilities for the improvement of health care. The positive effects of the use of radiology technology are well documented and well accepted by referring physicians and their patients. New procedures are less invasive and less risky for patients. Diagnosis and therapy are more effective and accurate. Modern diagnostic imaging technology improves the quality of health care services and saves the health system considerable cost by avoiding unnecessary admission of patients to hospitals and reduced lengths of stay in hospital. For x-ray equipment, the very low levels of total radiation exposure that can be achieved by modern equipment (e.g. by the use of digital imaging technology) also play an important role in ensuring patient safety.