What Is The Difference Between Radiology And Medical Imaging? | AV Imaging

As the name suggests medical Imaging has everything to do with images that are necessary, useful, and needed in the medical domain of diagnosis and treatment. Medical imaging includes various ways in which these images are taken using technologies. The same is recommended by doctors to help them understand ailments and problems in the human body so that apt treatments may be done to heal and bring relief to patients.

Radiology on the other hand is a branch of medical science that uses Medical Imaging as a part of the scope of the treatment. It also uses radiation for diagnosis and treatments. While Medical imaging helps in diagnosis, radiology is actually a special branch of medical sciences.

The difference between the two is not easy to understand from a layman's point of view. Hence here is a list of technologies that are sorted as medical imaging. there will be many terms in this list that we all are quite familiar with.

One of the best advice for anyone getting a CT scan is to check for the best imaging center in the area. This will mean checking for experienced radiologists with the center with the latest equipment.

Medical Imaging includes:

1. CT scans: This imaging technique gives clear images of infections, broken bones, and cancers.

2. MRIs: MRIs are recommended when doctors need very clear images to negate their doubts about strokes, Multiple Sclerosis, aneurysms, tumors, etc.

3. Ultrasound: It is one of the most crucial imaging techniques that help detect lumps in breasts, fetus abnormality

4. PET scans: This is one of the imaging technology that gives comprehensive images of the organs. However for PET scans to be done, patients are first either given an oral radiotracer or they are injected with the same. Serious ailments like Alzheimer's, Parkinsons', cancer, and epilepsy are detected with PET Scans.

5. SPECT scans: This kind of imaging helps in assessing the health if the brain, bones and the heart in the body.

6. X-ray: Commonly understood by everyone, X-rays are used to capture images of the bones in our bodies.

Radiology on the other hand includes:

1. Radiation Oncology: Oncology is the branch of medical sciences that deals with cancers. Radiologists who work with cancer patients also work in the areas of pain management, palliative care, etc.

2. Interventional Radiology: Angioplasty, Stent implantation, and draining of obstacles in the organs are some terms that we often hear medical practitioners and patients talk about. Though these kinds of treatments might sound like big surgical procedures they are in fact not. Such procedures are performed by expert radiologists with expertise and are "minimally invasive". Patients undergoing such procedures might need a few hours of hospitalization. These procedures are bracketed under interventional radiology.

3. Radiation Oncology: This special branch of Radiology deals with Cancer and its treatment. There are many subspecialities that Radiology deals in.Pain management is one of those areas.

Connect with us to learn more about how the AV Imaging team can help!

Awards & Recognition

ct seal
MR seal