Embedded Files
Page 5
One of the most promising molecular imaging techniques is positron emission tomography (PET), which is most often combined with CT (PET-CT) and used to track probes in order to detect meta-static disease. When it comes to the characterisation of a finding, or the differentiation between a malignant or benign abnormality, it is sometimes difficult to reach a final diagnosis. To avoid unnecessary invasive procedures and save the patient further dis-comfort, a comparison of various images, often obtained through different methods, is the first step towards a final diagnosis. If a definite diagnosis still cannot be made, a biopsy, where small parts of the abnormality are collected for further examination, is necessary. Side-effects may occur and vary depending on the method used and the area of the body to be examined. The use of contrast agents may cause allergies and may pose risks to patients with renal insufficiency. Techniques such as US and MRI do not entail any radiation exposure and are generally considered to be very safe. In some situations however, MRI is not recommended, for instance in patients with a pacemaker or other metallic implant, because of the magnetic field used during the examination. Methods like x-ray and CT, on the other hand, expose the patient to ionising radiation. Radiologists always use the lowest radiation dose possible to get the desired results and modern imaging devices are constantly being improved to generate higher resolution images while significantly decreasing the amount of radiation and exposure time.
THE ROLE AND THE SKILLS OF THE RADIOLOGIST
The radiologist is likely to be the first per-son to detect a tumour based on either clear symptoms or previous suspicions. Imaging specialists also detect cancer during routine screening and are the most experienced physicians in choosing from a wide range of available imaging techniques in order to get the best results. When a tumour or an abnormality is detected, the first task of the radiologist is to identify the exact location of the tumour and the extent of the disease. After the detection of cancer, the radiologist interprets the cross-sectional images of the patient, makes the diagnosis and determines the stage and extent of the disease based on their findings. “Image interpretation is the most visible contribution of radiologists. Diagnosis by expert radiologists is based on the extensive knowledge of anatomy, normal variations, pathology and technical principles of the imaging modality.”
Google Sites
Report abuse