Medical imaging is a central tenant of modern medicine. The ability to see what is happening inside the body in a non-invasive and swift way is essential in the treatment of accidents and illnesses. The range of available medical imaging techniques is extensive, and each technique has its strengths and weaknesses as a diagnostic tool. Medical imaging ranges from the traditional x-ray to an ECG. Though the latter measures change over time rather than produce an image, it is still considered to be a form of medical imaging. Medical imaging is a key resource for doctors and diagnosticians, enabling them to both initially diagnose as well as study the improvement and response to treatment over time.
History of Medical Imaging
The oldest form of medical imaging is the x-ray. The x-ray was discovered in 1895 by Wilhelm Roentgen and was used for dental imaging some short 14 days later. Early x-rays often caused as much damage as they solved, with prolonged exposure to radiation causing health issues in both those being x-rayed and those doing the x-rays. Indeed, Fritz Giesel, who founded along with his colleague Otto Walkhoff, a dental laboratory for creating images of the head and jaw, died of metastatic carcinoma caused by the quantity of radiation he had received in his hands. Modern x-rays are infinitely safer than their predecessors, but radiographers still use protective shields when operating x-ray machines. The x-ray was used across the world, including on the battlefield, notably, an x-ray machine was driven to the battlefront in France, by none other than Marie Curie. But x-rays could not show everything inside the body, and so decades later the next breakthrough in medical imaging brought about the CT scanner. The first patient was scanned by a CT scanner in 1971. Since then the various types of medical imaging have increased dramatically, from MRI to ultrasound, we now have an extensive range of techniques available to use in today's modern medicine.Example of Medical Imaging
An MRI is an excellent example of medical imaging. An MRI machine is a magnetic tube that takes multiple images across the body and produces an astonishingly clear picture of muscles, ligaments, and tendons. MRI images give a high level of detail, which helps in diagnosing injury or illness. MRIs can identify not only the location of damage to a specific ligament but the grade of damage. For example, a patient presents with pain, swelling, and instability of the knee joint after severe trauma to the outside of the knee. Following an MRI scan, a diagnosis can be made of a Grade III injury to the MCL, medial collateral ligament. This diagnosis can then give the ability to create a treatment plan based on the precise nature of the injury.Common Form of Medical Imaging
The x-ray is the most common form of medical imaging. If a patient presents with trauma to a limb, lack of movement, or pain, a doctor will usually refer for an x-ray in the first instance. X-ray machines are readily available and give an instant picture, which is essential in the swift treatment of an injury. If there is no damage to the bones, then a doctor will often refer for an MRI to show any damage to ligaments or tendons. X-ray machines are available in hospitals of all sizes, whereas MRI scanners are not as readily available and there is often a waiting list. Using an x-ray in the first instance gives an immediate answer to the doctor or diagnostician about the next steps.How Many Types of Medical Imaging are There?
Five main types of medical imaging are commonly used for diagnostic purposes. Each one operates differently, and each one is used for identifying different things. X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound, and PET scans are the main five types of medical imaging. Tests such as an EEG or ECG can be considered medical imaging, though they do not produce an image of the body, and show changes over time. Treatment involving the use of imaging is known as Vascular Interventional Radiography. This is when a radiographer uses images during the procedure, to reduce the invasion required during the treatment, for example in the treatment of dilated or blocked veins.Is Medical Imaging the Same as Radiology?
Medical imaging is the process of using specialist equipment, such as an x-ray machine or a CT scanner, to see what is happening inside the body. Radiology is the medical discipline of using medical imaging for diagnosing patients. So radiology refers to the medical practice whereas medical imaging refers to the technique. The person who carries out the testing is known as a radiographer, whereas the doctor who orders the tests and makes a diagnosis from the images is a radiologist.What Can Medical Imaging Detect?
Medical imaging can detect an incredible range of illnesses and injuries within the body. It can detect broken bones and blockages in blood vessels. It can detect tiny tears in ligaments to tumors. Each type of medical imaging technique is geared toward different conditions. So an x-ray is commonly used for suspected broken bones, whereas an ultrasound is used to monitor pregnancy. Each type of imaging procedure works in a different way to give a different look at the body. A standard x-ray simply looks at one section of the body from one angle, whereas a CT scan also uses x-rays, but in cross-sections of the body so that you can build up an overall picture of the injury. An MRI machine uses magnets that make a thumping sound during use. In a PET scan, you swallow or have injected a radiotracer which is then monitored. Each piece of equipment has its own benefits, and doctors will choose which one will give the best results based on the presentation of the patient and their symptoms.What is Medical Imaging Used for?
Medical imaging is a keystone in modern medicine. It gives doctors the ability to see inside a patient, without needing to subject them to invasive and often risky surgery. It can be used across a range of conditions from detecting issues with an unborn fetus, to x-raying the elderly with suspected broken hips. Not only is it an impressive diagnostic tool, but it can also be used on an ongoing basis to assess healing and change within the body. It can be used to guide biopsies to help pinpoint the exact location of the area of concern.Who Needs Medical Imaging?
Many people throughout the course of their life will need medical imaging. Even from before birth, we are medically monitored through ultrasounds. Unborn babies are closely monitored to ensure that they are growing at the correct rate, and mothers are monitored to help prevent dangerous births from occurring. Anyone who has suffered a trauma or accident is routinely checked with medical imaging. Many of the people who pass through A and E are sent to the x-ray department for suspected breaks or to the CT scanner for complex trauma. Any patient who presents with symptoms that suggest a certain disease or illness will be sent for the relevant imaging procedure, to confirm or deny the doctor's suspicions.Is Medical Imaging Safe?
Imaging is a non-invasive way of looking at the inner workings of the body. Compared to the risks of surgery as a method of seeing inside, medical imaging is extremely safe. Methods that use ionizing radiation can carry a slight risk, but ionizing radiation builds up over time. Having a few x-rays during your lifetime does not pose a risk, but repeated exposure to ionizing radiation, for example as an unprotected radiographer could have a detrimental effect on your health. This is why radiographers always stand out of the room, or behind a protective screen whilst using the equipment. The radiation from x-rays can harm a fetus, hence you will always be asked if you are pregnant before receiving an x-ray. We know that prolonged and frequent exposure to radiation can lead to increased health risks. Marie Curie herself died from aplastic anemia most likely caused by the radiation she was exposed to during her working life. However, our understanding of the effects of radiation is much more comprehensive so we know how to ensure that those working within the field of radiology can be kept safe from any negative effects.How Important is Medical Imaging?
The ability to be able to see what is happening inside the body revolutionized modern medicine. It removed the guesswork from diagnosing and gave doctors an incredible tool to be able to accurately understand what was happening to their patients. Without the incredible insight delivered by imaging procedures doctors would only be able to diagnose based on a patient's description of how the pain felt or where it was present. We know that people interpret pain differently, and you can have many patients presenting with different symptoms for the same illness or injury. Removing the guesswork from medicine allows doctors to treat far more effectively and precisely which vastly improves the likelihood of success.Does Medical Imaging Save Lives?
The ability to be able to detect illnesses and injuries within the body saves lives. Much modern cancer screening relies on imaging to detect changes in key areas. Certain diseases, such as many types of cancer, do not present with pain as a primary indicator, which means that people will not necessarily seek medical advice until their cancer is advanced. Screening using imaging will invariably save lives through early detection. Heart disease, vascular disease, and gallbladder disease can all be picked up through imaging, saving lives. Expectant mothers and their unborn babies are monitored and intervention can then take place if they are deemed to be a risk. Medical imaging also ensures that the treatment given is appropriate for the illness. In some instances, the treatment for one illness can be detrimental to another illness, so the clarity given by imaging will help to ensure that the treatment is correct. Being able to monitor changes during treatment also helps to save lives, as it will pick up on any untoward changes or adverse reactions which can then be swiftly remedied.Benefits of Medical Imaging
There are endless benefits to medical imaging. Prior to the common usage of imaging for diagnostic purposes, doctors were essentially making educated guesses as to the nature of a patient's illness. Many diseases present with very similar symptoms, pain can be referred to, and people's descriptions can be extremely vague, all of these scenarios make it incredibly difficult to produce an accurate diagnosis without imaging. Having an accurate diagnosis facilitates correct treatment which, in turn, optimizes the success rate of treatment. The ability to be able to see how the body is responding to treatment through ongoing imaging during the treatment gives doctors the ability to react to changes and alter accordingly. Fine-tuning both the diagnosis and the treatment maximizes the likelihood of a successful and swift outcome. Medical imaging is essential in today's modern medicine.Conclusion
Since Wilhelm Roentgen first discovered the x-ray in 1895, imaging has become a crucial and vital diagnostic resource. Our desire to improve and discover has led us to invent different imaging devices that can be used to look at the body in a multitude of ways. This ability to be able to see what is happening in a non-invasive way has been revolutionary. It has enabled us to diagnose effectively and quickly, give precise treatment, and monitor the effects of said treatment. To be able to detect small changes in the body such as in the blood or blood vessels gives us an incredible resource for the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions that would have previously been terminal. Imaging has given us insight into the workings of the human body, has excelled in research, and has saved millions of lives across the world. Our inventiveness and ingenuity have propelled advances in the field of imaging and given us incredible and life-altering tools at our fingertips. Categorized into General Health
Reviewed by
