Radiology Research Paper

Radiology is a tool frequently used in medicine. Almost everyone will have an X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, or one of any of the many other imaging techniques at some point. The use and development of various radiologic techniques have reduced the need of exploratory surgeries and given us a better idea of what is going on inside our bodies.

Radiology as we know it today was was invented over a century ago by a German physicist and Professor named Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen 1. In 1895 he discovered electromagnetic radiation in in a wavelength range, or the X-Ray. When Roentgen discovered these rays he was working with cathode ray tubes in his lab. During this work he saw the fluorescent glow of crystals. The cathode ray tube consisted of a glass envelope,

In this specialty doctors conduct operations while being guided by images gathered in diagnostic radiology. Imaging is also useful when inserting small instruments like catheters and wires, which usually can be done with an extremely small incision 4. Interventional radiologist are frequently involved in treating cancers and tumors, blockages in the arteries and veins, liver problems, and kidney problems 4. A hospital stay following a procedure is rarely needed, and most people only need conscious sedation. 1 or 2 more years of training is required to be a interventional radiologist 4. Angioplasty and stent placements are one of the procedures done by interventional radiologists. If the blood flow in the carotid artery is blocked by plaque the blood supply to your brain can slow. A stroke may be caused because of this 9. There are two treatment options for this. One of them is a carotid angioplasty with stent placement. A Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) is usually an alternative to Carotid surgery (endarterectomy) because it carries a higher risk of stroke. However if an endarterectomy is not the best choice for the patient, a carotid angioplasty and stenting is done instead 9. A biopsy is another procedure done by interventional radiologists. A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue so that it can be examined in a laboratory 10. There are a few different way a biopsy can be done, one way is a needle biopsy or percutaneous biopsy. During this procedure the doctor uses a needle attached to a syringe and passes it through the tissue that needs to be examined several times. These are usually done using a CT scan or ultrasound that helps guide the doctor to the right area 10. An open biopsy is a surgery where the surgeon cuts into the affected area and removes the affected tissue. The patient would be under general or local anesthesia 10. In a laparoscopic biopsy a small cut is made where a