What is a diagnostic radiology exam?
A diagnostic radiology exam uses various imaging technologies to look at a patient’s internal organs and structures. These procedures use X-rays, sound waves from ultrasounds, radioactive materials, and magnets alongside computers to create images from inside the body. They’re used when doctors need additional internal information to help make a medical diagnosis.
Your diagnostic radiology exam may consist of:
- CT scan
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- PET scan
- DEXA scan for bone density
- Ultrasounds
- X-rays
- Nuclear medicine
Why would someone have a radiology appointment?
Your primary care physician may refer you for a radiology appointment to help diagnose or treat a medical condition. Doctors use images from radiology appointments to check their patient’s progress while treating them for some injuries or diseases.
The radiologist is the doctor who takes the images of your body and interprets their results. You may visit a radiologist after a soft tissue or bone injury, if you’re pregnant, screen for cancer, or treat heart conditions.
Do radiologists see patients?
Some radiologists see patients who need radiation therapy treatments or diagnostic imaging. They can prescribe medications and perform procedures such as ultrasound-guided biopsies and angioplasty. They also treat patients for any complications related to their imaging tests.
Other radiologists work with imaging technicians, who perform the tests. In this scenario, patients do not interact directly with the radiologist. The technician performs the diagnostic imaging, then the radiologist reviews the images and sends the results to your doctor.
A recent study shows that patients prefer getting results immediately from their radiologist over waiting to hear results from their other doctor.
Is a radiologist a diagnostic service?
Yes, a radiologist can be a diagnostic service. There are two areas of radiology services: interventional radiology and diagnostic radiology. Radiology services that help your health care providers see inside your body are diagnostic services.
Diagnostic radiologists help diagnose your health condition, monitor your response to treatment, and offer screenings for different diseases.
What diseases do radiologists diagnose?
Radiologists use imaging to diagnose several diseases and medical conditions. They screen for different types of cancer, such as colonoscopies to detect colon cancer and mammograms to detect breast cancer.
They use X-rays and CT scans to diagnose injuries to bones or organs.
Radiologists can also detect neurological conditions and diseases through MRIs of the brain. They assist with any diagnosis that requires internal imaging.
Do diagnostic radiologists perform surgery?
Radiologists perform interventional procedures such as image-guided biopsies and angioplasty but do not generally perform surgery. They participate in some surgeries where image guidance is needed but do not make incisions or perform operations. Radiologists often help with biopsies, laser ablations, and cardiac and brain treatments.
