| Diagnostic imaging refers to a variety
of non-invasive methods for identifying and monitoring
diseases or injuries via the generation of images representing internal anatomic
structures and organs of the patient's body. The detailed images produced by these
procedures are used to further inform the patient and physician about the anatomic
organization and functional working of the inner organs and structure of the patient's
body. Diagnostic imaging is an informational tool that expands the knowledge of physicians,
people and patients and the practice of medicine.
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Reconstructed
side
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Reconstructed
frontal
view MR
(coronal image) |
Radiologists and other physicians
interpret the resulting images to diagnose various medical illness or injury so that
patient treatment and therapy can be specifically planned and implemented. Diagnostic
imaging is also used to guide surgical plannin g and is often used to follow surgery
and/or monitor the outcomes of therapeutic procedures.
Diagnostic imaging denotes that new
innovative techniques like ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance (MR) and computed
tomography (CT) are now also performed in radiology centers and departments along with
traditional x-ray or radiology (see History of Medical Diagnosis and
Diagnostic Imaging for more background).
Diagnostic Imaging is a Key
Tool in the Early Diagnosis and Prevention of Disease
Of high importance in today's managed
care environment, diagnostic imaging can also be used for the early identification of
potential medical problems, to help prevent their occurrence. Thus expensive therapeutic
treatment may be eliminated to create substantial savings for the patient and healthcare
system. In other words, the emergence of so called "disease management"
techniques places a premium on diagnostic imaging since the savings accrued by avoiding
the very expensive surgery or therapy significantly offsets the cost of the imaging
procedure.
New, minimally invasive surgical
procedures are emerging which can be performed on an outpatient basis together with the
diagnostic imaging procedure, for instance CT, MR or ultrasound. By combining delivery of
therapy with the diagnostic procedure, the healthcare system can realize significant
savings. More on using non-invasive imaging to guide
minimally invasive therapy.
Updated: September 13, 2007
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