What is Radiology?
Radiology, known most commonly as "X-ray," uses electromagnetic radiation to make images of your bones, teeth and internal organs. Simply put, X-rays allow doctors to make pictures of some of the structures inside of your body.
X-ray is usually a fast, simple, painless medical test that can help your doctor provide you with appropriate treatment and is one of the oldest forms of medical imaging. It is also a safe way for your doctor to view and assess conditions ranging from broken bones to pneumonia to cancer. There are many different types of X-rays and the type your doctor uses depends on the purpose of the examination and what part of your body needs examining.
How Does it Work?
X-rays are absorbed in differing amounts by different body tissues. Some tissues, such as skin, fat, and muscle, allow more X-rays to pass through, but others such as bones, are denser and absorb X-rays. The result is a picture upon which bones show images as white, softer tissues show shadows as shades of gray and structures which contain air appear black. X-ray exams also play an important role in the detection and diagnosis of cancer. Some forms of cancer may appear lighter in color on X-ray films than does normal, healthy tissue. Once the X-ray film is developed, it will be interpreted by a Radiologist, a physician who specializes in performing and interpreting X-rays.
Some X-rays take less than a minute, but longer procedures such as a barium enema or an upper GI series, can take more than an hour. The field of radiology continues to make dynamic leaps in technology, and Springhill is the first hospital in the state to offer the latest advancement in radiological technology, a 64-slice CT scanner.
In joining the elite handful of U.S. hospitals to acquire this speedy CT scanner (also called a CAT scan), Springhill will be able to treat more patients faster. In addition, the Aquilion™ (PDF) from Toshiba America Medical Systems will be less taxing on patients. Studies such as chest exams, which used to take 20-30 minutes to perform, now can be completed in just 20 seconds. If you have any other questions about Radiology, please do not hesitate to ask the staff in attendance or call the Radiology Department at Springhill Medical Center at 460-5388.