On the surface, radiology is comprised of several general areas or fields. However, there are numerous subspecialties that radiologists can choose as their specialty once they have completed their education and want to establish their practice. In order to specialize a subspecialty, radiologists must further their education and undergo more training. The following will explain the different types of radiology subspecialties and what being a subspecialized radiologist at Vital Imaging encompasses.
What do Radiologists do?
Radiologists assist in detecting, diagnosing, and treating patients for different diseases and other medical conditions by examining and interpreting images of the human body. While many have the option to perform their duties offsite or on-site, most patients prefer them to be in concluded, so they can interact with them and get more information about their medical conditions.
How do subspecialized Radiologists differ from general Radiologists?
The primary differences between general radiologists and subspecialized radiologists lies in their education and training. Radiologists often specialize in the larger radiology modalities such as diagnostic imaging, interventional radiology and nuclear medicine. Furthermore, they can specialize in a range of subspecialties if they want to continue their education in a specialty subset. Some Vital Imaging radiologists even specialize in multiple subspecialties as well. That is why when you enter the diagnostic center, you can be sure that all your diagnostic requirements will be met.
Common Radiology Subspecialties
While there are roughly a dozen radiology subspecialties, some of the more prevalent ones include the following:
- Breast Imaging – uses medical imaging procedures to diagnose issues involving the breast such as biopsies, mammography, ultrasound and more.
- Cardiac Radiology – the diagnosis of cardiac (heart-related) conditions and diseases by interpreting diagnostic images.
- Interventional Radiology – focuses on treating diseases and other medical conditions with minimally invasive diagnostic imaging-guided procedures.
- Neuroradiology – utilizes specific neuroimaging methods to focus on identifying and diagnosing medical issues related to the head, neck, nervous system, and spine.
- Nuclear Medicine – diagnosis and treatment of diseases with radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive medicine) that can be inhaled, injected or swallowed.
- Pediatric Radiology – as the name implies, this subspecialty uses diagnostic imaging to focuses on the diagnosis of diseases, illnesses, and injuries found in infants, young children, and teens.
The uniqueness of subspecialized radiology is based on advanced education and training that is specific to certain areas of the body, diseases and organ types. As a result, subspecialized radiologists are uniquely qualified to diagnose more complex conditions that someone with less education and training may not be able to detect. For additional information regarding the radiology subspecialties that we practice in our facilities, contact Vital Imaging or visit our website at vitalimg.com.