Radiology Department
The ability to use imaging to see inside the body, diagnose a broken bone, diagnose diseases and so much more has made radiology necessary for medical care. X-rays use radiation to look through the body and see foreign objects and bones
Radiology, also called diagnostic imaging, is a series of different tests that take pictures or images of various parts of the body. Many of these tests are unique in that they allow doctors to see inside the body. A number of different imaging exams can be used to provide this view, including X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, CT scan, mammography, nuclear medicine, fluoroscopy, bone mineral densitometry and PET scan.
Radiology’s role is central to disease management, with a wide choice of tools and techniques available for the detection, staging and treatment. Diagnostic imaging provides detailed information about structural or disease related changes. Early diagnosis saves lives. Without diagnosis there can be no treatment, there can be no cure.
An X-ray is a quick, painless test that produces images of the structures inside your body — particularly your bones.
X-ray beams pass through your body, and they are absorbed in different amounts depending on the density of the material they pass through. Dense materials, such as bone and metal, show up as white on X-rays. The air in your lungs shows up as black. Fat and muscle appear as shades of gray.
For some types of X-ray tests, a contrast medium — such as iodine or barium — is introduced into your body to provide greater detail on the images.
Mammography can be used either for screening or for diagnostic purposes in evaluating a breast lump: Screening mammography. Screening mammography is used to detect breast changes in women who have no signs or symptoms or new breast abnormalities. The goal is to detect cancer before clinical signs are noticeable.
OPG (Orthopantomogram) and Cephalogram are types of dental x-rays. An OPG produces a panoramic view of the jaw whilst a cephalogram is an x-ray of the facial structures. A lateral cephalogram produces a side profile image of the face, jaws and soft tissues to assess the relation of the teeth to the jaws, the jaws to the skull, and the relation of the soft tissues to the teeth and jaws.
The Cone Beam Computed Tomography or CBCT test is an imaging technique that uses cone shaped X-ray beams to create a detailed three dimensional image of the teeth, surrounding bones, soft tissues, blood vessels, and nerves to visually assess their condition and diagnose any problems associated with them and to guide.
OPGs are commonly used during a general dental check up, but can also be conducted to monitor and diagnose:
General Ultrasound. Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. It is used to help diagnose the causes of pain, swelling and infection in the body’s internal organs and to examine a baby in pregnant women and the brain and hips in infants.
An echocardiogram checks how your heart’s chambers and valves are pumping blood through your heart. An echocardiogram uses electrodes to check your heart rhythm and ultrasound technology to see how blood moves through your heart. An echocardiogram can help your doctor diagnose heart conditions.
TMT is the abbreviation for Treadmill Test. The TMT Testing takes into account, the measurement of the blood circulation inside the body (blood pressure) when a patient walks/runs on a treadmill. TMT Testing helps to determine the impact which a physical stress can have on your heart.
A cardiac stress test is a cardiological test that measures the heart’s ability to respond to external stress in a controlled clinical environment. The stress response is induced by exercise or by intravenous pharmacological stimulation
An exercise stress test is used to determine how well your heart responds during times when it’s working its hardest. During the test, you’ll be asked to exercise — typically on a treadmill — while
you’re hooked up to an electrocardiogram (EKG) machine. This allows your doctor to monitor your heart rate.
Your doctor may suggest an echocardiogram to: Check for problems with the valves or chambers of your heart. Check if heart problems are the cause of symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain. Detect congenital heart defects before birth (fetal echocardiogram)
Uroflowmetry, also called a uroflow test, measures the flow and force of urine stream during urination. It is a common, noninvasive urinary test used to diagnose symptoms such as pain during urination or urinary incontinence
Uroflowmetry is performed by having a person urinate into a special funnel that is connected to a measuring instrument. The measuring instrument calculates the amount of urine, rate of flow in seconds, and length of time until completion of the void. This information is converted into a graph and interpreted by a doctor. The information helps evaluate function of the lower urinary tract or help determine if there is an obstruction of normal urine outflow.
During normal urination, the initial urine stream starts slowly, but almost immediately speeds up until the bladder is nearly empty. The urine flow then slows again until the bladder is empty. In persons with a urinary tract obstruction, this pattern of flow is altered, and increases and decreases more gradually. The uroflowmeter graphs this information, taking into account the person’s gender and age. Depending on the results of the procedure, other tests may be recommended by your doctor.
Other related procedures that may be used to diagnose urinary outflow obstruction or lower urinary tract dysfunction include cystometry, cystography, retrograde cystography, and cystoscopy. Please see these procedures for additional information.
The body takes nutrients from food and converts them to energy. After the body has taken the food components that it needs, waste products are left behind in the bowel and in the blood.
The urinary system helps the body to eliminate liquid waste called urea and keeps the chemicals, such as potassium and sodium, and water in balance. Urea is produced when foods containing
protein, such as meat, poultry, and certain vegetables, are broken down in the body. Urea is carried in the bloodstream to the kidneys, where it is removed along with water and other wastes in the form of urine.
