ALL ABOUT IMAGES: A radiologist examining X-Rays

X-rays, CT scans, MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), ultrasound, radiation therapy ? do these strike a chord? Mostly they do, since these are the procedures that almost all of us have had undergone in one form or the other. From simple X-rays to the high-tech 3-D imagery, radiologists examine and diagnose illnesses by studying images. Radiology is non-invasive and saves you from any surgical procedure. The job of a radiologist is to study images of tissues, bones and organs for diagnosis and therapy. In this way, they are able to detect patches in the chest, ulcers in the intestines, stones in the kidney, etc.

What do i have to do?

Radiology deals with the use of radiation for different types of ?imaging?, including X-rays. Radiology is also called radioscopy or clinical radiology due to the many uses of imaging techniques for diagnosis as well as treatment of injury. Imaging includes X-rays, radiant dye, ultrasound, CT scan and MRI.

Radiology is a specialisation that medical students opt for in their postgraduate studies. A radiologist interprets an image to pinpoint an injury, determines how serious an injury is and detects abnormalities like tumours. He also interprets those results.

Radiology is an important component of diagnosis and treatment. So a radiologist is responsible for obtaining clear, distinct images and reviewing them with extreme caution. Faulty images or interpretations can lead to misdiagnosis and wrong treatment.

Apart from these, a radiologist must also be able to comfort the patient and be able to explain the procedures clearly to the patient to reduce his or her anxiety.

They observe the patient?s medical records thoroughly and ask questions to ensure that X-rays or other imaging techniques are not risky for patients like pregnant women. Since radiology techniques require the use of radiation, a technician must also protect himself as well as his patients from radiation hazards. When it comes to checking the blood circulation in the body, doctors use angiography using a small tube called a catheter wherein they inject a contrast agent that colours the blood. The flowing blood is then filmed. If the pictures reveal that the blood isn?t flowing like it should be, a stent can be used to widen narrow spots in the veins or arteries. Radiologists have now developed newer techniques for better diagnoses.

What should i study?

An MBBS degree is a prerequisite for pursuing an MD in radiology or radio-diagnosis. It is advisable to do it from a good institute, recognised by the Medical Council of India.

What next?

Once limited to bulky equipment, radiology has now become more technically advanced. From positions like cardiovascular interventional technologists to sonographers and mammographers, opportunities in radiology are booming.

Radiologists work in speciality hospitals, diagnostic imaging centres, outpatient care centres, as well as medical and diagnostic laboratories across the country. You can also set up your own diagnostic centre.

With a large pool of well-trained doctors and high-tech infrastructure, India is fast emerging as a teleradiology hub, providing offshore X-Ray reporting services to the US, Europe, Singapore and the Middle East. The remuneration for radiologists due to this has become quite high.

Teleradiology means electronic transmission of radiological images, such as X-Rays, CTs and MRIs from one location to another for interpretation and consultation.

Results of X-rays sent electronically to India from the countries mentioned above takes less than thirty minutes under outsourcing agreements. It reduces costs and benefits patients tremendously.

In fact, with teleradiology, there are no geographical boundaries now. According to estimates, the US is facing a shortage of radiologists with 20 per cent vacancies in hospitals remaining unfilled.

?There is a world-wide shortage of qualified radiologists and teleradiology counters this shortage by providing services from one area to another. This would help cover remote areas where there are CT scanners but no radiologists to interpret the results,? says Dr Sunita Maheshwari, director, Telerad Solutions, Bangalore, a pioneer in teleradiology.

where to study

• All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, Ansarinagar, New Delhi
• Armed Forces Medical College, Pune
• The Department of Radiology, Delhi University
• National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore
• Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry