Baptist Medical Group Radiology
Sometimes the right diagnosis of a disease or health problem requires seeing inside the body. When this is the case, doctors rely on imaging technologies, such as X-rays and other high-energy radiation, to help them get a glimpse inside the body.
Radiology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the use of imaging technology such as X-rays and radiation to diagnose and treat various conditions and diseases. Radiology is a noninvasive method used by doctors to visualize diseases within the human body so proper treatment can be sought.
What Do Baptist Medical Group Radiologists Do?
Baptist Medical Group radiologists provide high-quality images to help patients get the most accurate diagnosis and treatment possible. They do this by using various imaging technologies, including X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET) and ultrasound.
The radiologic procedures used by Baptist Medical Group radiologists are medically prescribed and are used to aid in a proper diagnosis so patients can seek treatment and get better sooner. Baptist Medical Group radiologists are trained to understand radiation safety and protection, the radiation effects on the human body, and the proper methods and interpretation of radiological and medical imaging exams.
Types of Imaging Technologies
Baptist Medical Group radiologists are trained to use and interpret a variety of imaging technologies. These include:
Computed Tomography (CT) Scanning
Radiologists use CT scans to produce accurate images of internal organs and structures. For example, a radiologist might use a CT scan for a patient who may have a tumor in the abdominal area. The CT scan could also be used to follow the progress of the tumor during the course of treatment. Another example is if a patient is involved in a serious car accident, they may have a CT scan of their entire body to check for internal bleeding or injury.
X-ray Services
X-rays are frequently used by radiologists to quickly evaluate the appearance of a patient’s heart, lungs, or bones. For example, Baptist Medical Group pulmonologists may use a chest X-ray to check for pneumonia, and a Baptist Medical Group cardiologist might use a chest X-ray to measure heart size.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRIs are sometimes used by radiologists to produce clear images of anatomical structures and change that might indicate the presence of abnormal conditions. MRI is able to provide better contrast resolution and spatial resolution than CT scanning. It also has the capability to provide large amounts of information about the chemical and physical environment of imaged tissues that radiologists can use to aid in a diagnosis.