Diagnostic Imaging Techniques- Medical Specialities To Evaluate Activities Inside The Body

“Diagnostic imaging” also termed as “medical imaging” is a technique or process to create a visual representation of the interiors of the body for medical intervention. You can say, it is a procedure to reveal the internal structure hidden by skin and bones, as well as to treat and diagnose disease.

It is a part of biological imaging that incorporates imaging technology like X-ray, CT Scan, nuclear medical scans, MRI Scans and ultrasound.

Take a look at these imaging technologies that let the physicians look inside the body and diagnose the medical condition:

X-rays

X-rays are a type of radiation that create an image of the inside areas of body and show the parts in different shades of black and white. This procedure has another name in medical field that is electromagnetic waves.

The colour in x-ray report depends on absorption level of x-rays, like calcium in bones absorbs x-rays the most, so bones look white. Whilst fat and other tissues absorb less so they look grey.

The most familiar use of x-ray is to diagnose the condition of bones, but they are also used to analyse pneumonia through chest x-rays and also for breast cancer through mammograms.

CT scan (computed tomography)

Computed Tomography, often referred as computerised axial tomography is an x-ray procedure that combines many x-ray images with the computer to generate cross sectional views. If needed, it may also combine three dimensional images of internal organs.

A large donut shaped x-ray machine takes images from different angles around the body. Further, these images are processed by the computer to produce cross sectional pictures of the body. CT scan is usually done for broken legs, cancer, blood clots, internal bleeding etc.

Nuclear scans

This diagnostic image solution uses radioactive substances to view structures and functions inside the body. With a special camera that detects the radioactivity, nuclear scanning is done.

Before the test is initiated, a small amount of radioactive material is injected in the body. Otherwise may be swallowed or inhaled. Nuclear scans diagnose many conditions including cancer, infection and injuries.

MRI scans (Magnetic resonance imaging)

Magnetic resonance imaging uses large magnet and radio waves to look inside the body and analyse the organs. Health care professionals use this diagnostic imaging solution to identify multiple conditions like from torn ligaments to tumour. Basically, MRIs are useful to examine brain and spinal cord condition.

Ultrasound

It is a type of diagnostic imaging in United Kingdom that uses high frequency sound waves that are used to look inside the body. Health care professionals use this diagnostic solution to view heart, blood vessels, kidney, liver and other organs.

With all these diagnostic solutions and other medical technologies, the physicians are delivering medical services and creating a benchmark in the industry.