Radiology

Diagnostic radiology uses ionizing radiation and X-ray film to produce still and dynamic images. Images are produced based on attenuation of the x-ray beam as it passes through the body and interacts with the x-ray cassettes which contain the film. The cassettes serve two purposes. 1) They protect the film from being exposed to visible light which would destroy the images just as it does film from a regular 35mm camera. 2) The cassettes are designed to amplify the radiation's effect on the film allowing for reductions in the amount of radiation needed to produce diagnostic images. This reduces exposure to the patients. The radiology department provides many services within the department as well as portable services in the OR, ER or even in patient rooms with the portable equipment you may have seen moving about the hallways.

This picture is of the radiology special procedures room in which procedures such as arteriograms are performed. An arteriogram is an x-ray of the arteries to diagnose a stenosis or obstruction. This exam requires the insertion of a catheter into the arterial system where contrast agents are injected to allow the vessels to be visualized. Contrast accomplishes this by increasing the attenuation of the x-ray beam in respect to the surrounding tissues.

Back To Imaging Services