The Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Unit
Radiology and diagnostic imaging have proven to be an indispensable service in hospitals and centres characterised to offer more advanced care to their clients specialities.
What is radiology and diagnostic imaging?
There are numerous times, in these medical centres, when they have to make use of the resources of radiology and diagnostic imaging. Sometimes, they are related with quick interventions that will require the passage through the operating room. However, in most cases, the use of radiology and imaging is reserved to check the status of injuries (for example, of the bones) and the results of the rehabilitation processes.
First of all, we must take into account that providing these services to patients implies an investment in state-of-the-art technologies, which experience advances that add benefits to the previous equipment.
Therefore, it is worth specifying how radiology devices and diagnostic imaging work. In this sense, it should be noted that X-rays are the essential technology (while it is not overcome by more sophisticated methods) that passes through bodies and allows to take images, in this case, of bodies. Not in vain, the quality of these equipments can be certified, at guarantee level, by international homologation norms such as the ISO 9001 certification. Furthermore, it is also important that the obtained images can be digitised with great clarity, so there is no loss of detail and it is possible to analyse them in depth. The speed of the interaction (via data connection) is also an advantage, since it facilitates the different specialists in charge of urgent interventions, due to the exchange of documents, in real time.
Broadly speaking, the devices used to capture these images contribute to clinical purposes related to revealing and examining the diagnosing accuracy of the diseases which could not be reached without the help of such equipment that helps in the observation of the human body’s internal state. Above all, they are useful to detect anomalies. On the other hand, these resources can be accessed to capture both the image and the movement. In fact, radiographs can provide functional and morphological or structural information. In any case, these are non-invasive practices, meaning, they do not entail dangers for the health (except for the fetuses of pregnant women, so those who are pregnant, have to alert of their state). Unlike others, such as, for example, punctures.
The types of radiology and diagnostic imaging
It is convenient, on the other hand, to review the different subunits that can be integrated into a radiology and diagnostic imaging service. Some of the most relevant are:
- Conventional digitised radiology. It is the classic X-ray diagnostic technique that provides images of internal body structures and serves to study injuries.
- Multidetector computerised tomography. Provides three-dimensional body organ reconstructions.
- Magnetic resonance. It contrasts the tissues against a magnetic field which provides high resolution anatomical images.
- Angiography. This method allows to study the vascular structures, specifically, the arteries.
- Ultrasound. It serves to visualise the interior of the organism by means of ultrasounds. In addition, the movement of fluids makes vascular evaluations possible.
- Mammography. Method to detect anomalies (especially, breast cancer) in breast tissues.
- Other services. In this sense, it is possible to add the possibility of performing T.A.C. (such as oral implantology), orthopeantometry or bone densitometry.
Obviously, it goes without saying, there is an excellent support in diagnostic tests for the hospital’s centres
Hospital La Paloma Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Service
The equipment at Hospital La Paloma has been mostly renovated in the past two years, having the latest and most advanced technology.
The service is equipped with infrastructure, based on the use of digital technology or Internet of Things (IoT), so images can be consulted from any point of our hospital, or from the world by external consultants.
Innovative techniques such as Virtual Colonoscopy (Colonist-TAC) or the Dentascan for the study of dental anatomical structures, are done.
