The Different Types of Radiology

(Tina Dawn/ VM-Med) — Unlike other medical specialties, radiology is one specialty that people don’t often know much about or occasionally even confuse with other specialties. In simple terms, a radiologist is a medical doctor who specialises in medical imaging. Radiologists essentially use imaging equipment to analyse images, like X-rays, so they can then diagnose, monitor, and treat various conditions or injuries.

Even though they do not often work directly with patients, these medical doctors perform vital healthcare since they work closely with other medical practitioners and are essential for diagnosing and treating ailments. Radiologists often specialise in specific areas of radiology, such as pediatric radiology, oncology radiology or interventional radiology. Medical imaging is therefore an integral aspect of patient care.

There are many different specialties of radiology, but the main ones are:

1.      Diagnostic radiology.

2.     Interventional radiology.

3.     Radiation oncology.

Diagnostic radiology is used to diagnose

Diagnostic radiologists use various medical imaging methods, such as X-rays, ultrasound, and electromagnetic radiation, to diagnose and treat diseases. They may also work in hospice and palliative medicine, neuroradiology, nuclear radiology, pain medicine, and pediatric radiology.

They can focus on diagnosing specific parts of the body, such as breast imaging (mammography) radiologists, cardiovascular radiologists, chest radiologists, emergency radiologists, or gastrointestinal (GI) radiologists.

Diagnostic radiology has many uses, including helping align broken bones, detecting ulcers, and helping treat a variety of injuries and conditions once the physician knows their exact nature.

A diagnostic radiologist is trained to look at and interpret images of every organ and system in the human body. In addition to helping doctors diagnose illnesses and conditions, ranging from cancer and heart disease to broken bones and infections, diagnostic radiologists can track the body’s responses to specific medical treatments.

Diagnostic mammograms are often performed to examine the breast tissue more closely, typically following symptoms or after a screening mammogram shows suspicious lump or nipple or skin changes.

Interventional radiology intervenes

Interventional radiologists use medical imaging to provide therapy to people with noncancerous conditions.

For example, they might use medical imaging to support a surgical procedure or tackle some of the toughest medical problems, including vascular disease, many types of cancer and men’s and women’s health conditions with minimal discomfort and incredible accuracy.

This imaging can make surgical procedures safer and lead to faster recovery times. Interventional radiologists typically perform minimally invasive surgical procedures through small incisions in the body to address a wide array of medical conditions.

Keyhole surgery involves making small cuts instead of larger ones and using tiny cameras to see inside the body.

Some of the most common medical procedures handled with interventional radiology include angiography and angioplasty, embolization, uterine fibroid embolization, and biopsies.

Angiography, an imaging technique used to visualise blood vessels, often to detect blockages or aneurysms, is a life-saving procedure.  If a blockage is identified, angioplasty can be performed simultaneously, using a balloon to widen the vessel and, if necessary, placing a stent to keep it open.

Uterine fibroid embolization is also a very popular procedure performed by interventional radiologists, specifically targeting uterine fibroids. The procedure essentially reduces blood flow to benign uterine tumours, causing them to shrink and alleviating associated symptoms.

Interventional radiologists can also place central lines or ports when cancer patients require long-term intravenous medications, nutrients, or chemotherapy, ensuring safe and consistent access to the bloodstream.

Interventional radiology’s scope is large. Thanks to its minimally invasive nature and the precision and accuracy of medical imaging, it’s an essential tool in a patient’s diagnosis and treatment while effectively reducing recovery times significantly.

Interventional radiologists also work with people who need palliative care, providing relief when a cure is not possible.

Radiation oncology treats cancer

A radiation oncologist uses radiation-based therapy to treat many different types of cancer. This therapy involves the use of high-energy radiation to damage cancer cells, which stops them from spreading further.

It can help reduce symptoms or, in some cases, cure the condition entirely.

Radiation oncologists work closely with medical oncologists, surgeons, and other doctors to determine the most appropriate course of treatment for people diagnosed with cancer. They are trained to decide where exactly on the body and which type of radiation therapy to use on the patient.

Key equipment radiologists use

The key components of the radiographic equipment include X-ray machines, image intensifiers, CT scanners, monitors, hardware for image capture and storage, and advanced technologies such as digital fluoroscopy.

It’s important to remember that radiologists are different from radiographers, also known as radiology technicians. Although both of these professionals work with medical imaging, radiographers operate the machinery and perform medical exams using X-rays on patients to create images of specific parts of the body. The medical radiologist then interprets the images to diagnose and monitor any disease.

MRI technologists at ultrasound clinics operate MRI scanners and ultrasound machines that take images of patients’ bodies to assist with diagnostic testing. They are responsible for presenting clear images to physicians to provide an accurate diagnosis to a patient.

MRI technologists essentially take images of the inside of the human body. An MRI exam is widely used to visualise certain areas that are not always visible in standard X-rays, ultrasounds, or other scanners.

Raising awareness of the vital role of radiologists

On November 8, radiologists and professionals from related fields will celebrate the ninth International Day of Radiology all over the world. According to the Canadian Association of Radiologists, the International Day of Radiology is an annual event held with the aim of building greater awareness of the value that radiology contributes to safe patient care. November 8, the day that Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered the existence of X-rays in 1895, was selected as a day of action and awareness.

VM Med’s Radiology Center offers patients the most comprehensive medical imaging services in downtown Montreal with on-site access to all imaging modalities including a wide-open MRI to accommodate patients who may feel claustrophobic and are accredited by Accreditation Canada, and by the Canadian Association of Radiologists in Mammography. An appointment and a requisition are required for this type of exam. The private MRI clinic also offers several types of exams, including pelvic, abdominal, brain, or spine. VM Med also offers magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided biopsies which use a strong magnetic field to provide surgeons and radiologists with an accurate view of the area under suspicion. 

VM Med’s Radiology Centre also has a private ultrasound clinic that offers several types of ultrasounds. Ultrasound is a medical imaging technique that uses inaudible, high-frequency sound waves and their associated echoes to produce images of the body’s tissues and internal organs. The clinic offers several types of ultrasound, including endovaginal, abdominal, pelvic, and musculoskeletal ultrasound.

For more information, you can read our extensive archive of VM Med blogs, including the vital role that radiologists play in detecting, diagnosing, and treating injuries and diseases using medical imaging, or learn more about interventional radiology.

Still have questions? Book a consultation with our experts.