3 Different Types Of Tasks That The Radiology Department Takes Care Of

The radiology department at a hospital is designed to take images and conduct exams that provide further insight into your condition. The radiology department is responsible for taking a wide variety of different type of exams and is often on the front line of identifying diseases.

#1 X-Rays

One of the most common functions that a radiologist does that most people are familiar with is x-rays. X-rays are taken by a radiologist and are ready by a radiologist. A radiologist can take x-rays to determine a variety of different conditions, from figuring out if you have a broken or cracked bone, if you are exhibiting signs of bone disease or if you have a fissure on a bone.

Keep in mind that it takes time for a radiologist to look at an x-ray. They don't just read them in two minutes. They carefully examine the image to determine exactly what is happening with your bones.

#2 MRI

Another type of image that a radiologist reads is an MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging. MRIs are used to identify both soft tissue and bone-based health issues. MRIs are generally able to show soft tissue injuries with more detail than other imaging options. The same is true for bone-based injuries. MRIs provide much more detailed imaging that can be used for the hard task of identifying internal health issues.

With an MRI, you have to lay really still while high strength magnets are scanned over your body to create an image. Since magnets are used for this procedure, MRIs cannot be used for anyone who has metal inside of their bodies, such as metal bone plates or pacemakers.

It can take a day or two for the images to be printed, read by a radiologist, and then reviewed by your doctor before you learn the results of the MRI.

#3 Ultrasounds

Ultrasounds are another type of imaging that is read by a radiologist. Although ultrasounds are most commonly associated at looking at babies as they are in their mother's stomachs, this is not the only use of ultrasounds.

Ultrasounds are also really helpful for looking at soft tissue tissues with your tendons, muscles, and joints. Ultrasounds can be used to identify a wide range of soft tissue abnormalities.

Ultrasounds are generally performed by a sinologist and then the results of the scan are then reviewed by the radiologist. A radiologist may consult on the scanning process itself as well to ensure that the best images are obtained to help with the diagnosis.

Radiologists read a wide-range of different images and use those images to identify potential issues with your health. Three common tools and scans that radiologist read include x-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds. For more information, or to get results for your own health issues, contact a radiologist such as those at Elkview General Hospital today.