What is Imaging?
Imaging and Radiology
Radiology is a branch of medicine that uses imaging technology to diagnose and treat disease. Radiology can be divided into two different areas, diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology. Doctors who specialize in radiology are called radiologists. Although radiologists interpret results from the images, they rarely perform imaging procedures. Medical professionals who specialize in imaging procedures are called radiologic technologists.
Diagnostic Radiology
Diagnostic radiology helps health care professionals see structures inside your body. Doctors who specialize in the interpretation of these images are called diagnostic radiologists. Using the diagnostic images, the radiologist or other physicians can often:
- Diagnose the cause of symptoms
- Monitor how the body responds to treatment
- Screen for illness
Common diagnostic radiology exams include:
- Computed Tomography (CT)
- Fluoroscopy
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Mammography
- Nuclear Medicine
- X-Rays
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) or PET-CT when it is combined with CT
- Ultrasound
Interventional Radiology
Interventional radiologists use imaging such as CT, ultrasound, MRI, and fluoroscopy to help guide procedures. Imaging is helpful when inserting catheters, wires, and other instruments and tools into the body.
Doctors use this technology to diagnose or treat conditions in almost any part of the body instead of needing to directly look inside of your body through a scope (camera) or with open surgery.
Interventional radiologists often treat cancers or tumors, blockages in the arteries and veins, fibroids in the uterus, back pain, liver problems, and kidney problems.
Common interventional radiology procedures include:
- Angiography or angioplasty
- Embolization
- Cancer treatments including tumor embolization
- Tumor ablation
- Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty
- Needle biopsies
- Breast biopsy
- Uterine artery embolization
- Feeding tube placement
- Venous access catheter placement, such as ports and PICCs
Radiologic Technologists
Every technologist at Midwest Radiology has special training and certification to operate imaging equipment. These technologists are trained to use the least amount of radiation possible and still produce an image that is of diagnostic quality. At Midwest Radiology both medical physicians and a medical physicist monitor and oversee the technologists.
Scheduling a Procedure
Midwest Radiology provides a central scheduling telephone number and fax for all outpatient imaging center locations. We also offer same day scheduling, and accept all forms of medical insurance. Simplify your referral process, call us today!
Our Physicians
Qualified, caring, honored, and committed ─ the best of Midwest Radiology. Our radiologists are board certified by the American Board of Radiology and have extensive training and expertise in medical imaging. They are dedicated to providing the highest level of quality imaging services to all patients and healthcare providers.