Radiological Information: Medical Images

Advances in radiological modalities used in the diagnostic discovery phase or in the therapeutic and intervention phases have currently provided clinicians with resources never imagined before, which assist them in decision-making. However, the requesting physician must recognize: the type of information each modality provides, that is, their ability to detect diseases and, above all, the risks associated with the use of each one of them.

Table 01 – Radiological equipment, sources, and emitted radiation.

“The sensitivity and specificity of the radiological modality determine whether the method is the gold standard for detecting the disease in that tissue.
Although radiological modalities are valuable tools, those that produce images from ionizing radiation sources can pose significant risks if not properly controlled.”
Prof. Dr. Luciana Rodrigues

Figure 01 – Heart images: tomographic, echocardiographic, magnetic resonance, and angiographic.

Each modality has distinct technologies among them, even if they have the same type of source, they produce spectral images with different shades of gray, and a diverse arsenal of software allows structural, functional, among other analyses. The images are acquired by medical, radiological, and biomedical professionals, however, the interpretation and issuance of reports are performed by radiologists, cardiologists, among other physicians.