What Does a Radiologist Do? Your Care Team
Uncover the critical role of radiologists in diagnosing and treating medical conditions. Explore now!
A radiologist interprets and diagnoses various imaging studies to help other physicians develop treatment plans for patients. They will rely on computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, ultrasound scans and positron emission tomography (PET) scans to come to a conclusion.
There are many subspecialties within radiology, such as musculoskeletal radiology and interventional radiology. Neuroradiology focuses on the assessment of critical anatomical structures of the head and neck, including the skull, sinuses and throat. For this reason, neuroradiologists play an essential role in the multidisciplinary care of head and neck patients.
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Medical Imaging Explained
Whether you are a patient preparing for a procedure or a medical professional seeking comprehensive insights, understanding the basics of CT, MRI, Ultrasound and PET scans can enhance your knowledge and decision-making process.
CT Scan Basics
CT scans are medical imaging procedures that utilize a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around the patient’s body. These X-ray images are processed to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. CT scans are quick, non-invasive and provide detailed imaging of internal structures. However, CT scans may involve slight risks from exposure to ionizing radiation, and certain CT scans require the use of contrast dye, which may cause possible reactions.
MRI Scan Basics
MRI scans are medical imaging procedures that use magnets and radio waves to create detailed cross-sectional images of the patient’s body. MRI scans provide excellent soft tissue contrast and can differentiate between fat, water and muscle better than CT scans. However, because MRI scans are performed in an enclosed space, patients may experience claustrophobia or anxiety during this imaging procedure.
Ultrasound Basics
Ultrasound scans, also known as sonography, are medical imaging techniques that use high-frequency sound waves to generate dynamic, real-time images of a patient’s internal structures. During an ultrasound, an imaging technician applies gel to the area of the body being assessed. The technician then places a transducer or probe over the gel-covered area to transmit sound waves into the body and record the waves that reflect back.
Ultrasound is widely accessible, non-invasive and does not involve ionizing radiation. In addition, because ultrasound creates real-time images, it is a valuable tool to monitor internal movement, such as blood flow. However, ultrasound offers little visualization of bony structures and cannot image deeper internal structures.
PET Scan Basics
PET scans are medical imaging techniques that involve the injection of a radioactive tracer into the patient’s bloodstream. The radioactive tracer travels through the patient’s body and accumulates in areas of the body that have high biochemical activity. Examples of these areas include tumors and infections. Because the radioactive tracer collects in areas of high biochemical activity, PET scans can effectively pinpoint the location of disease. PET scans can detect early-stage diseases and aid in cancer staging, but may result in false positives. Additionally, the radioactive tracer used in PET scans may cause complications to pregnant patients.
Making The Most of Your Radiology Visit
While CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound scans and PET scans are the primary images that a radiologist interprets, there are other imaging techniques that may be indicated depending on the patient’s needs. Nevertheless, a radiologist is involved in interpreting all types of medical images to diagnose and treat illness. It may be helpful for patients to obtain electronic or hard copies of all imaging procedures for their own records, and to have them available for review by their care team. Staying proactive about your treatment plans can make a significant difference throughout your cancer journey.
Collaboration Between Radiologists & Clinicians
Because a radiologist plays an instrumental role in the medical decisions that clinicians make, teamwork between radiologists and clinicians is a critical component of the care of head and neck cancer patients.
For instance, if a patient tells their doctor about a lump they felt in their neck, the clinician may suspect an underlying issue and order a series of CT scans. A radiologist would review the CT scans, confirm the presence of a tumor in the neck and provide a detailed radiologic report of the size, location and characteristics of the neck mass. The clinician would then review the radiologist’s findings and together, they would discuss findings, suspected diagnoses and possible treatment options.
Conclusion
A radiologist reviews and analyzes CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound scans and PET scans to investigate a patient’s condition and identify any potential signs of disease. Together, radiologists and clinicians make informed diagnoses and plan appropriate treatment options for their patients.
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