Accurate Diagnosis: The Key Role of Radiology in Medical Care - Essay Sample

Introduction

The medical field is one of the most diverse areas. It involves a multidisciplinary approach in its attempt to find solutions to the patients. For quality and effective treatment to take place, one of the critical aspects is the diagnosis. Diagnosis is the process of trying to determine and identify a possible cause of a medical problem. Making an accurate diagnosis involves several approaches, with one of the most critical diagnostic procedures being imaging. Radiology is the medical branch that deals with obtaining images of internal body organs to aid in diagnosis. There are several radiological imaging systems such as x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, sonography, and several other approaches (Kiyohara, Kido, & Makifuchi, 2015). This report elaborates more about the x-ray imaging system, which works through the emission of radioactive rays, which get through the body organs to create an image of those organs.

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Objectives of the Report

The purposes of this report are several and concerning the imaging and images produced by an x-ray. Some of these objectives include providing knowledge on how an x-ray works to create images, to aid in understanding why x-rays are used as methods of imaging, implications of x-rays as well as providing indications for an x-ray imaging to any client who a clinician needs their internal images.

The first objective is to provide knowledge of how an x-ray works. X-ray imaging works under the principle that body tissues can absorb photons from a beam of rays concerning the density of electrons in the tissue (Filik, Ashton, Chang, Chater, Day, Drakopoulos, & Smith, 2017). Photon refers to a quantum of light and other electromagnetic energy, which is regarded as a discrete particle that has zero resting mass and without electric charges. The bones, therefore, absorb more photons compared to other tissues of the body. A film detects the photons hence forming a two-dimensional image (Filik et al. 2017). This explains why x-rays are useful in producing images of the bones as well as for the organs that are found within a bony cavity.

The ability of the body tissues to absorb photons discharge by a beam of rays from an x-ray makes it possible to get images of the internal body organs for diagnostics (Filik et al. 2017). For this reason, x-rays are useful in helping doctors to make a diagnosis about certain conditions affecting patients. Additionally, an x-ray is used for they provide clear images of the affected areas, especially bone in the body, which will aid in establishing and determining the best approach in treating the patient (Kiyohara,et al. 2015). X-rays are also easy to use and affordable to the majority of the patients compared to other imaging techniques.

It is also essential to note that x-rays have their challenges when used regularly on human beings. The rays that help in getting the images from an x-ray are radioactive. Therefore, continuous exposure to these rays may be harmful. It is therefore imminent to avoid exposure to these rays as they are said to cause severe damage to body tissues, including altering body cells, which has been attributed to creating certain types of cancers. X-rays are indicated to patients who have bone problems and other problems in the body (Kiyohara,et al. 2015). They are, however, contraindicated to pregnant women due to the risk of radiation that they would cause to the unborn fetus, some of which may affect its growth adversely.

Methodology

This article has been based on some research that involves data collection from relevant places, people, and materials. One of the methods applied was questionnaires. Asking questions to radiologists as well as other medical professionals who gave information on indications and contraindications of x-ray imaging was a significant methodology. Radiologists assisted in answering how an x-ray works to obtain the images that doctors and other health care providers use to facilitate accurate diagnoses. The radiologists also assisted in explaining why regular exposure to x-ray may be harmful due to their ability to emit radioactive rays, which are detrimental (Kiyohara,et al. 2015). Patients also helped in addressing the objective about the cost where they said that x-rays were cheap and affordable as compared to other imaging techniques that are used, such as magnetic resonance imaging, which are expensive.

The second methodology was the use of the theory of dispersion, which tries to explain how x-rays work was helpful. Following the study on the theory of diffusion and how it applies in x-ray imaging, the report found out that it helps in the refraction of x-rays (Seeck, & Murphy, 2015). A provision of index refraction of x-rays in the absorption of atoms and fundamental frequencies is obtained. The condition was experimentally verified that the electrons contained in the molecules should act as free electrons whenever index refraction is concerned. Hence the experiment was an affirmation that the theory of dispersion and refraction of x-ray beams was indeed correct.

Results

From the research that led to the compilation of this report, it is evident that the use of x-rays is imminent in the medical field. The diagnostic benefits that medics get from the use of x-ray imaging systems are many as the x-rays make their work easier and in turn, facilitate accurate diagnoses that the doctors use to treat their patients (Kiyohara,et al. 2015). The x-rays are there for essential equipment in the health sector. They have transformed the health sector significantly as the results from these images assist in the formulation of effective treatment of the patients, especially those that have bone problems.

From this report, it is right to say that x-rays work under the principle that body tissues have the capability of absorbing photons from the beam of x-rays. These photons are absorbed well in the bones. A film is used to make the image as it contains image detectors, and a two-dimensional image is produced. Since the photons from the x-ray beams are absorbed better in the bones, x-ray pictures of the bone appear more transparent as compare to those obtained from other organs. Additionally, the theory of dispersion of light has been captured, and the following experiments are done, it was confirmed that refraction of the x-rays assists in forming images due to diffusion of electrons found in atoms (Seeck, & Murphy, 2015).

X-rays are not as safe as they produce radioactive rays that are said to destroy body cells, which are attributed to have an impact on forming cancer cells (Kiyohara,et al. 2015). Additionally, pregnant women are contraindicated to x-ray imaging. This is due to the radiation that may be detrimental to the growth of the fetus in her womb. X-rays were also found to be cheap and affordable to many this making it the reason why most doctors would use it as a first-line imaging option as other imaging techniques are expensive.

Conclusion

X-ray imaging is crucial in the medical field. It enables visualization of internal organs, which assists doctors in making the diagnosis to their patients that are accurate hence forming a foundation of reliable and successful treatment of the problem. The fact that x-rays are affordable to most patients makes it a better imaging option as it does not make the patients strain. It is, however, essential to avoid regular exposures to x-rays due to their radioactive emitting rays ability, which has several health implications (Kiyohara,et al. 2015). Pregnant women should be protected from x-ray exposure and, instead, use other imaging techniques that do not lead to radiation.

References

Filik, J., Ashton, A. W., Chang, P. C. Y., Chater, P. A., Day, S. J., Drakopoulos, M., ... & Smith, A. (2017). 7Processing two-dimensional X-ray diffraction and small-angle scattering data in DAWN 2. Journal of applied crystallography, 50(3), 959-966.

Kiyohara, J., Kido, K., & Makifuchi, C. (2015). U.S. Patent No. 9,025,725. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Seeck, O. H., & Murphy, B. (2015). X-ray Diffraction: Modern Experimental Techniques. Jenny Stanford Publishing.