Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging: How They Can Help You

What do the terms ”diagnostic imaging” and ”radiology” have in common?

If you said that they are both used to diagnose medical conditions, you’re absolutely right. You’d also be correct if you thought they were both perceived as intimidating and frightening services to undergo. At Methodist McKinney Hospital, we do everything within our power and expertise to ensure that these are not intimidating or overwhelming if you have to experience them.

Imaging is a broad term referring to different tools that allow physicians to see inside the body. Methodist McKinney Hospital utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging services to help provide the best, most accurate diagnosis for any disease. These services are administered by our certified technologists and the results are read and interpreted by our board-certified radiologists. And, what’s more, all the imaging services at Methodist McKinney Hospital are fully accredited by the American College of Radiology.

So, specifically, what imaging services does Methodist McKinney Hospital offer and what are their primary purposes?

X-Ray – An x-ray is one of the oldest and most recognizable of the imaging services. The procedure is painless and noninvasive and uses electromagnetic radiation to create a comprehensive image of the body’s interior. This occurs as x-ray beams pass through the body. How the body responds to this absorption is how the image is produced. Bones will appear white; muscle, fat and various fluids will appear gray; and any structure containing air will appear black. As a result, conditions like fractures, decay, cancer, or foreign items in the body will be easily visible.

CT Scan – Like a standard x-ray, the CT (computerized tomography) scan takes images of the body’s interior from numerous angles that produces one comprehensive image of the body’s soft tissue, blood vessel and bone structure. A CT scan is both painless and noninvasive and can show significantly more detail than a traditional x-ray. It can also be used to focus on specific areas of the body, such as the chest, abdomen and pelvis. CT scans can also look for blood clots in the lungs, various spinal issues or injuries to the hands or feet.

Mammography – A digital technology, mammography assists in the early detection of breast cancer. The process utilizes low-energy x-ray to examine the breast and can easily identify masses or abnormal microcalcifications, which have the possibility of leading to breast cancer.

Ultrasound – High frequency sound waves allow a physician to see precise images of structures within the body. Similar to how a submarine uses sonar to see the ocean floor, the sound waves from ultrasound return echoes that are recorded and translated. What’s produced is a shadow picture of what’s beneath the skin.

MRI Scan – Short for magnetic resonance image, an MRI utilizes a magnetic field to produce pictures of the body’s interior. The MRI signals often hone in on a particular part of the body and produce a 3-D image for further examination. Generally, an MRI is used for stroke victims, neurological issues or to detect cancerous tumors.

So, what do the terms ”diagnostic imaging” and ”radiology” have in common? They’re both designed to help you lead a healthy lifestyle and at Methodist McKinney Hospital, your health is our top priority. If you’d like to schedule an appointment, consult with your doctor.

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