Medical imaging tests are one of the most valuable advances in medicine. Medical imaging tools allow doctors to see inside the body and diagnose conditions and injuries. These tests are used in health screenings, which help with early detection of disease before they cause symptoms, as well as diagnostics.
Doctors recommend medical imaging tests when patients come to them with symptoms or an injury. If you are scheduled for an imaging test, know that you are one step closer to understanding your injury or condition and receiving treatment for it.
Below are the most popular medical imaging tests used in diagnostic facilities across the country.
X-Rays
The earliest and most well-known medical imaging test is the X-ray. The test uses radiation or electromagnetic waves. X-rays are aimed at the part of the body that needs to be examined. As they pass through the body, they are picked up by a sensor placed on the opposite side of the beam, producing an image on a metal plate. Bones come up white and soft tissues come up gray, which is why X-rays are most commonly used in examining injuries, arthritis, osteoporosis, fluid in the lungs, and infection. With conventional X-rays, the images are processed on film, however, with digital X-rays, images are directly transferred to a computer. Digital X-rays also use less radiation than conventional X-rays.
CT Scan
A computerized tomography (CT) scan also uses X-ray technology, but instead of a two-dimensional view of the internal organ or structure, you get three-dimensional images. This is made possible by computer processing, which combines different 2D cross-sectional X-ray images. For the scan, the patient lies in a machine shaped like a tunnel. A CT scan can take pictures of bones and soft tissues but is most commonly used to diagnose tumors, abscesses, and vascular issues.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves. The machine itself is actually a big magnet. The patient lies on a table and is slid inside the machine for the test. Being made up mostly of water, the body has natural magnetic properties. During an MRI, the body’s hydrogen atoms realign. The powerful radio waves emitted by the machine cause the atoms to produce signals that are then used to create cross-sectional 2D images. MRI allows doctors to see inside soft tissues, which an X-ray or CT scan may not show clearly. It is a common medical imaging test for the brain and is used to diagnose stroke, aneurysms, multiple sclerosis, and tumors.
MRI machines have different strengths. The latest 3T MRI machine, which operates at a magnetic strength of 1.5 Tesla creates the most detailed images.
Top Diagnostic Center in Bronx, NY
If the doctor has requested that you undergo one of the three medical imaging tests mentioned here, make sure to choose a diagnostic facility known for their state-of-the-art equipment and accurate results. At Starling Diagnostics, our highly trained and experienced board-certified radiologists and technologists look forward to showing you the “Starling Difference.” We offer all the medical imaging tests talked about here, as well as ultrasound services and mammograms.
We are a preeminent diagnostic facility serving The Bronx community and are widely recognized across the Tri-state for offering affordable medical imaging services. If you have questions or would like to schedule your scan, call our clinic at (718) 319-1610 or use our online request form. We are conveniently located at 1480 East Avenue.
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