Radiology department staff perform a wide variety of functions, and the area of radiology continues to expand, with new technologies being introduced every year. Doctors, nurses and technologists in the radiology department work with patients with a variety of illnesses, disorders and risk factors.
Significance
Just over 1 percent of physicians specialize in radiology. There are a multitude of subspecialties; some focus on specific regions such as head and neck, chest or abdominal, while others focus on technology, such as specializing in mammography, CT scans or MRIs.
In interventional radiology, the specialist uses fluoroscopy, ultrasound and CT scans while inserting a catheter to do biopsies, stents or to drain fluid.
Function
Ultrasound technologists are a special kind of radiology technicians--they use sound waves to create pictures. Because ultrasound is safer than radiation or X-rays, it is used to monitor the growth and development of fetuses in the womb. It is also frequently used to monitor the heart, as sound waves can pinpoint the activity and efficiency of the valves as the heart beats.
Features
Radiology technicians create scans that doctors interpret. These scans include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and mammography. The images produced can be 2- or 3-dimensional. Computers allow doctors to change the angle from which they view the scans to get a better view of the imaged organs.
Effects
Radiology technicians use nuclear medicine to observe the performance of body systems. A radioactive dye in a sugar compound moves through the body, collecting in areas that metabolize the sugars. Cancer cells consume a lot of sugar and show as dark spots in scans. Even the normal performance of organs can be monitored as they perform their usual physiological functions. Organs that operate slower than normal can indicating a disorder.
Identification
Radiation therapists are radiology technicians with additional training. They use directed radiation to kill cancer cells. This radiation treatment is performed over a series of sessions (see Resources below).
Prevention/Solution
Radiological nurses help to care for patients who undergo radiation treatment. They assist with therapy and examinations, and also help patients before and after treatment. Those who undergo radiation therapy are often sick after treatment and need care and observation. Medication to soothe the symptoms are administered by the radiological nurses.
Tags: after treatment, radiation treatment, Radiology technicians, scans MRIs, sound waves, undergo radiation