Radiologist
Introduction
Who is a Radiologist?
Radiologists are physicians specializing in branch of medical science that uses radiation and radioactivity in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. They are the imaging experts and use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET scan), X-Ray and ultrasound etc to assist in treating patients.
After examining images, a radiologist will inform the patient’s primary physician of his or her findings and together they will decide on the best course of treatment. A radiologist correlates medical image findings with other examinations and tests, recommends further examinations or treatments, and confers with referring physicians.
Radiologists also treat diseases by means of radiation (radiation oncology or nuclear medicine) or minimally invasive, image-guided surgery (interventional radiology).
Diagnostic radiology involves various investigations or modalities like X Ray, sonography, CT scan, MRI, PET. After the investigations radiologists write their reports. These days Surgeons and Physicians use radiology reports and outputs before prescribing treatment.
Interventional radiology is comparatively a more recent development which deals with treatment using radiology techniques. Like removal of stones and radio therapy in Cancer treatment.