Radiology is the science of dealing with medical imaging technologies to diagnose and treatment of diseases. Radiology is that aspect of medical science that deals with the medical use of electromagnetic energy emitted by X-ray machines or other such radiation devices for the purpose of obtaining visual medical information. Radiology, which involves the use of x-ray, is called Roentgenology.
Today, with extensive training, radiologists can direct an array of imaging technologies such as ultrasound, computed tomography, nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose or treat various kinds of diseases. It is one of the latest fields of medical treatment and diagnosis and is increasingly becoming popular.
Interventional radiology is the performance of medical procedures with the guidance of imaging technologies. The getting of medical imaging is usually carried out by the radiographer or radiologic technologist. In addition to the medical field, radiology also encompasses the examination of the inner structure of objects using X-rays or such other penetrating radiation.
On the whole, radiology can be classified broadly into Diagnostic Radiology and Therapeutic Radiology. Diagnostic Radiology is the interpretation of the human body images to aid in the diagnosis or prognosis of any disease. On the other hand, Therapeutic Radiology uses radiation or radiation therapy for the treatment of diseases such as cancer.
According to the American Medical Association statistics, about 1.2% of physicians specialize in radiology. The major difference between radiology and other fields of medicine is that a radiologist treats or diagnoses diseases by obtaining and interpreting medical images. These medical images are obtained by using X-rays or radio-active substances, or by means of sound waves or the body’s natural magnetic power.