A Guide To Radiological Studies

OVERVIEW

This page is designed to serve as an organized guide to the different types of imaging studies that are available clinically. Often times there is a point in a clinical workup where the physician will have to decide if some imagining modality might help in diagnosing/working up the patient.

Refer to this introduction to diagnostic radiology as a primer to the specialty and the listed radiological studies.

X-RAY

X-ray studies intuitively use X-rays to create images that represent internal pathology. Read this guide on the fundamentals of X-ray studies to help orient yourself.

Examples of common X-ray studies include:

• Chest X-Ray
• Abdominal X-Ray (KUB)
• Hand X-Ray
• Hip X-ray
• Knee X-Ray
• Ankle X-Ray
• Foot X-Ray

ULTRASOUND

Ultrasound studies fundamentally use sound waves to help create an image of anatomy within the body. Read this guide on the fundamentals of ultrasound studies to help orient yourself. Also consider reviewing these tips on how to optimize your utilization of ultrasound by adjusting the machine’s setting’s appropriately.

Examples of common ultrasound studies include:

• Transabdominal abdominal ultrasound
• Transvaginal abdominal ultrasound
• Obstetrical transabdominal ultrasound 
• Carotid Ultrasound

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT)

CT technology relies upon using X-rays technology to help create a 3-D image that can clinically be interpreted. Read this guide on the fundamentals of computed tomography studies to help orient yourself.

Examples of common CT studies include:

• Non-Contrast Head CT
• Chest CT
• Abdominal CT
• Pelvis CT

MAGNETIC REASONANCE IMAGING (MRI)

MRI studies rely upon magnetic properties to help and create a 3-D image that can reveal anatomy and pathology within the body. Read this guide on the fundamentals of MRI studies to help orient yourself.

Examples of common MRI studies include:

• Non-Contrast Brain MRI

NUCLEAR MEDICINE STUDIES

The field of nuclear medicine combines both anatomy and biochemistry to help and demonstrate functional anatomy. Read this guide on the fundamentals of nuclear medicine studies to help orient yourself.

Examples of nuclear medicine studies include:

• Bone scan
• HIDA scan
• Perfusion studies
• Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) Renal Study
• Gastric emptying study
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
• Perfusion/Ventilation Scan (V/Q Scan)