Sometimes the traditional physical examination and blood tests are just not enough to make an accurate diagnosis. If doctors need a clearer idea of the location of the problem they’ll use an image-producing diagnostic tool, such as an x-ray. It helps to develop (2D or 3D) cross-sectional images of the body that can help in better diagnosis.

When my grandma was diagnosed with kidney tumors, we were all extremely worried and wanted to look for treatment methods as soon as possible. However, we failed to realize that it is important to diagnose the situation of tumors to move forward. Her doctor prescribed a number of tests and scans before making a final call. We contacted the best Radiologist in Karachi we could find, and started the process.

4 Types of X-Rays and Other Radiology Scans

As an aspiring medical student, I was intrigued by various types of radiology scans and their purposes considering how far we have come in radiology testing technology. I asked the radiologist to tell me more about all these different scans. And here is a brief insight into everything I learned:

CT Scans

Computed tomography, also known as the CT scan, develops a number of diagnostic 3D images of muscles, bones, organs, and soft tissues. It uses X-ray technology along with highly efficient computational software to develop very detailed cross-sectional images of the human body. I mainly help with the diagnosis of traumatic injuries, tumors, infections, internal bleeding, and blood clots

Angiography

Angiography is the imaging technology that uses X-rays to develop an image showing any abnormalities in blood vessels. It can help diagnose blocked, narrowed, enlarged, and malformed veins and arteries anywhere in the body. The procedure can take anywhere from twenty minutes to several hours.

Barium Enema

The gastrointestinal (GI) exam or more commonly known as a barium enema, is an X-ray examination in which a metallic solution contains barium that coats the inside of our large intestine, making it easier to see the intestines, rectum, and colon with an x-ray. It can help with the diagnosis of colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, and polyps. The procedure may take anywhere around 30-60 minutes with no downtime.

MRI Scans

Magnetic Resonance Imaging or also known as MRI scan is the examination technique that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to create highly detailed cross-sectional images of the human body to diagnose any irregularities and malfunctions. Due to its high precision and attention to detail, it is used where X-rays fail to deliver a proper diagnosis. There is no downtime to MRI scans and the process takes anywhere from 30-120 minutes. It is used to diagnose the irregularities in the brain, nerves, spinal cords, and other neurodegenerative diseases. It is also used for examining the heart and any blockage, malfunction, or inflammation in the circulatory system. And finally, it is used to examine the internal organs like liver, kidneys, uterus, pancreas, spleen, breast tumors, ovaries, and prostate along with bones and muscle injuries.

The bottom line

Stay calm while undergoing any radiology process. It might be a little invasive and uncomfortable but if you build trust with your radiologist, it gets a lot easier.

Meta Description: There are different types of radiology scans to examine different parts of the body for different disorders. The most common ones are CT Scans, Angiography, Barium Enema, and MRI Scans. Your radiologist can guide you on which test you need to take and why.