Radiologist

A radiologist is a medical specialist who diagnoses diseases using x-rays.

A radiologist can work in the radiology department of various institutions: a hospital, a polyclinic, a private clinic, a diagnostic center, a scientific institute. The specificity of the work of this specialist is to identify changes in the x-ray and describe these changes as accurately as possible, since, based on the description of the radiologist, the attending physician can make the correct diagnosis to the patient.

Such a diagnosis greatly simplifies the correct diagnosis and treatment for patients.

It is worth noting that the profession of a radiologist belongs to the professions of increased danger, as it is associated with x-ray radiation. To date, special radiation protection is used, but this does not eliminate the need for constant monitoring of the radiation background.

There are several methods of radiation diagnostics: radiography, fluoroscopy, tomography. Computed tomography is a modern trend in radiology. It is thanks to this type of diagnostics that it became possible to scan certain parts of the body, process it on a computer and obtain an image on a digital medium.

The most informative method of tomography is positron emission. It allows you to identify various diseases at the earliest stages and identify foci of cancer. The images produced by this tomograph are colored and show all the chemical processes occurring in the body.

The main duty of a radiologist is a high level of professionalism and responsibility. This specialist should be able to see pathological changes, have a good memory and be able to analyze the information received. The conclusion issued by the radiologist must be based on sound medical knowledge. In connection with the constant development of medicine, this specialist must constantly improve the existing knowledge and apply it in practice.

An X-ray technician helps the doctor in the radiologist’s office. A radiologist performs diagnostics of the brain, lungs, spine, skeleton, and internal organs. This specialist must be able to work with a mammograph and a fluorograph.

What does a radiologist diagnose?

The quality and saturation of an X-ray image depends on the density. As you know, each structure in the human body has its own density value, therefore, for a correct diagnosis, a radiologist needs to know such a parameter as density.

Most often, a radiologist examines the pathologies of the following organs:

• skeletal system: lower and upper limbs, skull, ribs, collarbones, spine and pelvic bones;
• respiratory organs: lungs and pleural cavity;
• digestive system: biliary tract and esophagus;
• urinary system: kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra.

Since the advent of computed tomography, the possibilities of a radiologist have become much wider.

Computed tomography allows you to see a three-dimensional image and get a three-dimensional picture of the organ. To enhance the information content of this method, a contrast agent is introduced. This type of study made it possible to diagnose in more detail the pathology of the lungs, spinal cord and brain, vertebrae, blood vessels, abdominal organs and retroperitoneal space.

What diseases does a radiologist diagnose?

The attending physician may refer the patient to a radiologist after a routine examination in the event that the patient has questionable symptoms and further examination is necessary.

Based on the x-ray examination, the radiologist can confirm the alleged diagnosis of the therapist, or, conversely, refute it.

It is worth noting that the radiologist does not establish a diagnosis, he only makes a conclusion based on an x-ray examination. The radiologist can confirm the following diseases:

• various fractures, dislocations;
• tumors, ulcers, stenoses, hernias;
• the presence of stones in the biliary tract;
• intestinal obstruction, volvulus of the intestine, foreign bodies in the intestine;
• pneumonia, tuberculosis, lung abscess;
• pleurisy, pneumothorax, pulmonary infarction;
• expansion of the boundaries of the heart, pericarditis, atherosclerosis;
• anomalies of the kidneys, ureters, bladder;
• high diaphragm.

With the help of computed tomography, the doctor can determine the following diagnoses: damage to the brain and spinal cord, subdural and epidural hematoma, tumors of the liver and pancreas, kidneys and adrenal glands.

When to see a specialist

Most often, patients come to this specialist after visiting a therapist or a narrow specialist. An independent visit to the radiologist is possible in the case when a planned fluorography is required.

The patient can go to the radiologist after the referral of the attending doctor in case of:

• suspected fracture or dislocation;
• spinal injury;
• persistent cough and shortness of breath;
• pressing pains in the chest and heaviness in the heart;
• heaviness in the abdomen, heartburn and vomiting;
• suspected tumors in the abdomen and chest;
• head injuries and concussions.

Research methods

To establish the correct diagnosis, it is necessary to perform diagnostic procedures that are not always pleasant, but necessary for the patient. The radiologist can apply the following methods: fluoroscopy, fluorography, irrigography, pancreatic cholangiography, excretory urography, computed tomography, and mammography (to exclude pathological changes in the mammary glands).

Fluoroscopy allows you to examine the body, observing it on the monitor screen. But during this examination, the patient receives a fairly high dose of radiation. Fluorography is a fairly common and affordable procedure that is performed by almost every person. This technique allows you to study the structure of the lungs, to determine the presence of tuberculosis at the beginning of the development of the disease. Fluorography should be performed on an adult at least once a year.

Irrigography is a procedure in which a suspension of barium sulfate (contrast agent) is injected through the rectum and a series of images are taken. This method allows you to diagnose colon cancer.

With the help of pancreatocholangiography, it is possible to determine the causes of jaundice, a tumor of the duodenal papilla, pancreas and biliary tract.

With excretory urography, a contrast agent is injected intravenously into the patient, after which pictures are taken: at 10, 30 and 60 minutes. After that, the radiologist must evaluate the structural features and functions of such organs and structures as: the bladder, urethra, kidneys, pelvis, ureters, based on the ability of the urinary system to remove the contrast agent administered intravenously.

Advice from a radiologist

In order not to harm your own body, you should follow some of the recommendations of the radiologist.

Fluorography should be done by every adult every year. Those people who are in the danger zone should be examined every six months. This risk zone includes employees of prisons, mines and tuberculosis dispensaries.

If a person has a fever, cough, shortness of breath and general malaise, a chest x-ray should be done.

If a person has been injured in a limb, an x-ray should be taken in two projections, even if the injury seems completely frivolous. Do not ignore the fact that after the reduction of the fracture, it is imperative to take a second picture. It is important to make sure that there is no displacement and incorrect reposition of the fragment.

Any radiologist knows that you cannot use a contrast agent to confirm the diagnosis of perforation of the intestine and stomach. This can be dangerous, because once in the abdominal cavity, the substance causes peritonitis.

It is important to remember that any health-related problem requires qualified specialist advice. Self-medication can actually be deadly to health.