As human beings, we have an understanding of how our body works and how we feel when we are ill. However, to gain insight into the complex nature of the human body and the countless different systems that make it up, we need medicine and the use of radiology to properly diagnose and treat illnesses to improve people’s health and wellbeing. This is what radiology means to us.

Radiology is a field of medicine practised by radiologists and radiographers that involves seeing the human body through medical imaging. There are two broad spectrums of radiology that include:

• Diagnostic Radiology
• Interventional Radiology

Diagnostic Radiology

As the name suggests, Diagnostic Radiology is a form of radiology that involves the use of medical imaging equipment to screen and identify illnesses and their symptoms. In addition to making a correct diagnosis, radiologists can use diagnostic radiology to monitor how your body is responding to ongoing treatment. Diagnostic Radiology procedures include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scans, Ultrasounds, X-rays, Nuclear Medicine Scans i.e cardiac stress tests and Computed Tomography (CT) Scans.

Interventional Radiology

Interventional Radiology is a specialized and sometimes invasive kind of radiology that involves the use of medical imaging such as CT, ultrasound, and MRI to help guide procedures. Seeing into the body through radiology is helpful to the doctor when inserting catheters, wires, and other small instruments and tools for surgical procedures. Interventional Radiology procedures include; Catheter placement, Uterine artery embolization, Feeding tube placement, Needle biopsies of different organs, such as the lungs and thyroid gland and Breast biopsy, guided either by stereotactic or ultrasound techniques.

Helpful Patient Tips To Note Prior To A Radiology Procedure

The following are tips that would make sure that your examination gives the correct diagnosis, remains safe for you and prepares you for the procedure

1. A patient should have nothing to eat for a few hours prior to an examination
2. Do not use any cream, perfume, powder, oils, or any other cosmetics on your chest, breast, or underarms on the day of your mammography appointment.
3. For an X-ray procedure that is used to examine the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes, patients must be scheduled within the first 10 days of their menstruation. Hence, provide your doctor with the right information.
4. Patients with metallic implants in their body must notify their radiologist prior to the MRI appointment as it could prove hazardous or interfere with results. Also, remove any metallic objects on your body such as watches or jewellery.
5. For a Cardiac MRI, no coffee, caffeine, tea, or chocolate must be taken for 24 hours prior to the examination
6. If you are claustrophobic, then please ask your physician to prescribe anti-anxiety medications to take prior to the MRI study on the day of your examination.
7. In certain cases, your doctor may recommend that you receive a special dye called contrast material before your CT scan. If you have any history of bad reactions to contrast material, please inform your doctor to be safe.
8. Be careful of high radiation exposure, make sure to ask your doctor the level of radiation you are being exposed to, especially if you are pregnant
9. Do not move too much during your x-ray, make sure to stay still so the results are clear.
10. Immediately after your interventional radiology procedure, it is advised that you do not drive yourself, so please arrange for someone to transport you.

Radiology has proven to be a beneficial field of medicine to us, humans, as it has improved the percentage of safe and correct diagnoses, reduced the need for unnecessary surgeries and has even aided medical insight on how a patient is faring to a particular treatment. Keep in mind that there are risks associated with radiology, however, the benefits far outweigh potential risks as those risks can be completely avoided with proper medical caution.

At Lily Hospitals, we have a state of the art radiology centre with a tradition of excellence in diagnostic imaging — we utilize top-notch image-guiding technology such as X-ray, ultrasound, MRIs and CT scanners. You can visit any of our radiology centres in Benin or Warri for your procedure. You can also call 07047713630 or 07053351741 to schedule an appointment.