Radiology

Radiology is a specialty in medicine that utilizes different waves and their properties in order to obtain images from which a clinical diagnosis or intervention is made. The waves that are used are electromagnetic waves like X-rays, and Ultrasound waves. X-rays are potentially the most hazardous.

It is the Medical Physicist?s responsibility to ensure that the X-ray equipment in all areas of the Hospital, e.g. Radiology, Cardiology, theatre, etc functions optimally in order to obtain high-quality images with as low a radiation dose as possible to the patient. Poor quality images inhibit the detection of abnormalities and thereby reduce the effectiveness of X-rays as a diagnostic or imaging tool. Medical Physicists are responsible for implementing quality assurance programs that ensure optimal image quality and at the same time minimize the exposure to ensure radiation safety within the recommendations of International bodies, like the ICRP http://www.icrp.org/

The functions of a Medical Physicist in a Diagnostic Radiology department are the following:

• Quality assurance,
• Support and problem solving,
• Optimizing image quality,
• New equipment,
• Training,
• Radiation Protection and
• Research

Examples of equipment and images obtained in Radiology are:

CT scanner with abdominal image obtained
Angiography unit used for interventional work with an angiography image obtained.
X-ray unit can be used for realtime imaging examinations (fluoroscopy) as well as standard X-ray images. An example of an abdominal X-ray image is shown. This unit has Digital capabilities. The images are digitally available and can be manipulated by software and sent to different locations via an intranet or the Internet.
A mammography unit is used for imaging the breast. This unit is highly sensitive - an object as small as a dust particle can be seen on the film. An example is shown of a breast image taken by a mammography unit.
Radiologist examining X-ray films on viewing boxes illuminated especially for that purpose.
Ultrasound unit that is used to image echoes from sound waves. The ultrasound image shows a fetus.
X-ray of a foot
For diagnostic imaging to be optimal, the X-ray unit, imaging chain, film storage, film processor chemistry and housing, film cassettes, imaging technique and viewing conditions all have to be considered.
Cardiac MRI and MRI scanner Magnetic resonance imaging is a new modality in our Centre and the system is capable of providing good soft tissue contrast as can be seen by the cardiac image.