Radiology Examination, Here's What You Should Know

Radiological examination is an examination to diagnose and support medical procedures. Radiological examination is useful to help doctors see the condition of the inside of the patient's body.

Radiological examination is carried out using a number of media, such as X-rays, magnetic fields, sound waves, and radioactive liquids.

 

There are several types of radiological examinations, both to diagnose disease and to assist medical procedures, namely:

  • X-ray photo
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Ultrasound (USG)
  • Computed Tomography/Computerized Axial Tomography (CT/CAT) Scan
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan
  • Nuclear Inspection, such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

Indications for Radiological Examination

Radiological examination is divided into two, namely diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology. Here is the explanation:

Diagnostic radiology

Diagnostic radiology aims to determine the condition of the patient's internal organs, so that the disease suffered by the patient can be identified. The following are some of the diseases and conditions that can be detected by diagnostic radiology:

  • Tumors and cancer
  • Epilepsy
  • Infection
  • Abscess or collection of pus
  • Joint and bone disorders
  • Indigestion
  • Respiratory problems, one of which is COVID-19
  • Blood vessel disorders
  • Thyroid gland disorders
  • Lymph node disorders
  • Urinary tract disorders
  • Nervous system disorders
  • Kidney illness
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Lung disease
  • Heart disease
  • stroke

Interventional radiology

Interventional radiology is performed to assist doctors in carrying out medical procedures, such as inserting a catheter or inserting small surgical instruments into the patient's body.

Some of the procedures that may benefit from interventional radiology are:

  • Ring fitting, angiography and angioplasty
  • Installation feeding tube or nasogastric tube
  • Tissue sampling (biopsy) of the breast, lung, or thyroid gland
  • Installation Central Venous Catheters (CVC)
  • Spinal treatment, such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty
  • Blockage of blood vessels or embolization to stop bleeding
  • Tumor ablation to kill cancer cells

In addition to detecting disease and assisting medical procedures, doctors can also take advantage of radiological examinations to find out how the patient's body responds to treatment.

Warning Before Undergoing Radiological Examination

There are several things that must be known before undergoing a radiological examination, namely:

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Radiation exposure on CT scans, PET scans, and X-rays can have a negative impact on the fetus. In addition, there is no known side effect of the magnetic field in the MRI machine on the fetus.
  • Tell your doctor if you are allergic to contrast fluid. Contrast fluid may be used in some examinations, so that images of the patient's organs are clearer.
  • Tell your doctor if you suffer from liver and kidney disorders. The doctor will limit the level of contrast fluid that is injected before carrying out the examination.
  • Tell your doctor if you have any metal implants or assistive devices placed in your body, such as an artificial joint or a pacemaker. The presence of these implants can be dangerous for patients undergoing MRI.
  • Tell your doctor if you have tattoos on your body, as some dark colored inks can contain metal, which can be dangerous during an MRI.
  • Tell the doctor if you suffer claustrophobia (fear of being in a narrow room). Your doctor may give you a sedative before the exam.
  • Tell your doctor about any supplements, herbal products, and medications you are currently taking. Some types of medicine, such as drugs for diabetes, should not be taken before the examination because it can affect the results of the examination.

Before Radiological Examination

Before undergoing a radiological examination, it is important to follow the doctor's advice so that the patient gets optimal examination results. Depending on the type of radiological examination to be carried out, the patient's preparations include:

  • Not doing strenuous activities 1-2 days before undergoing a PET scan and following a certain diet 24 hours before the examination
  • Fasting 4–12 hours before undergoing an ultrasound or CT scan, because undigested food can make the resulting image less clear
  • Taking painkillers, for example in patients undergoing X-rays to diagnose fractures
  • Drink enough water and don't urinate until the end of the examination on patients who are about to undergo ultrasound
  • Do not drink anything except water, starting 24 hours before undergoing the PET scan
  • Take off all the accessories you wear, such as jewelry, watches, dentures and glasses, then put on the special clothes that have been provided

Radiological Examination Procedure

As mentioned earlier, there are various types of radiological examinations. The following will briefly describe each type of radiological examination:

1. Photo check X-ray

X-ray examination uses a machine that emits X-ray radiation to display the inside of the patient's body in 2-dimensional images. This examination generally only lasts a few minutes.

Depending on the part of the body being examined, the doctor may take pictures of the patient in a number of positions. In some conditions, the doctor will use a contrast fluid so that the resulting image becomes clearer.

2. Inspection ffluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy uses X-rays to display images of the patient's organs in video format. Generally, doctors run a fluoroscopy examination by first giving a contrast dye.

Just like an X-ray examination, the doctor can ask the patient to change position in order to get a clearer picture. The length of the fluoroscopy examination depends on the part of the body being examined.

3. Ultrasound examination (USG)

Ultrasound examination is done by directing high-frequency sound waves to the patient's body part to be examined. These sound waves will bounce when they hit solid objects, such as internal organs or bones.

The reflection of sound waves will be captured by a probe attached to the patient's body surface and processed by a computer into 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional images. An ultrasound examination generally lasts 20–40 minutes.

4. CT examination scan

CT scan examination aims to display images of the patient's internal organs more clearly from various angles. A CT scan uses an X-ray-emitting machine that is supported by a special computer system.

CT scans can display detailed images of body organs that can be combined into 3-dimensional images. The entire stage of the CT scan usually lasts 20 minutes to 1 hour.

5. MRI examination

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) aims to produce detailed images of the organs inside the patient's body. An MRI scan can last from 15 minutes to more than 1 hour.

MRI uses magnetic field technology and radio waves, so it is safe from radiation. The images produced from MRI are also more detailed and clear when compared to other types of radiological examinations.

6. Inspection kmedicine nnuclear

Nuclear medicine examinations are carried out using a machine equipped with a gamma camera. The gamma camera functions to detect gamma rays in the patient's body.

Gamma rays in the patient's body come from a radioactive liquid that was injected into the patient before the examination. The light is then processed by a computer into a 3-dimensional image for further analysis by a doctor.

After Radiological Examination

The following are some things that patients need to know after undergoing radiological examinations:

  • Patients can return to their activities after completing the examination. However, for patients who are given a sedative before the examination, it is recommended that they ask their family or relatives to pick them up and take them home.
  • Patients undergoing interventional radiology, such as vascular catheterization, must stay in the hospital for several days until the catheterized arm or leg recovers.
  • The results of the examination will be analyzed by a radiologist. Patients can find out the results of radiological examinations on the same day or several days after. If necessary, the doctor will advise the patient to undergo blood tests or other radiological examinations to get a more accurate diagnosis.
  • If the results of the radiological examination found disease, the doctor will ask the patient to immediately undergo treatment.
  • Patients undergoing PET scans and nuclear medicine examinations are required to drink lots of water so that the radioactive liquid is excreted in the urine.

Complications of Radiological Examination

Radiological examination is a safe procedure and rarely causes complications. However, there are still some risks that may occur as a result of undergoing radiology examinations, namely:

Nausea, dizziness, and a metallic taste sensation in the mouth

Contrast fluid given during radiation exams can cause nausea, vomiting, itching, dizziness, and a metallic taste sensation in the mouth. In patients with renal impairment, the use of contrast fluids can even lead to acute renal failure.

Decreased blood pressure

Although rare, contrast fluid can also cause a drastic drop in blood pressure, anaphylactic shock, and heart attack.

The risk of developing cancer increases

A one-time CT scan tends to be safe for the patient. However, the risk of cancer due to radiation can increase if CT scans are performed repeatedly, especially in pediatric patients who undergo CT scans in the chest or abdomen.

Wounds and damaged body aids

The magnetic field in an MRI machine can attract metal. Therefore, injuries can occur if the patient forgets to remove the jewelery before undergoing the MRI. The magnetic field of an MRI can also damage assistive devices, such as pacemakers.