INTRODUCTION TO DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING
How it all began:
On November 8 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered X-rays. He
discovered the X ray while working in his laboratory by accident. A cathode ray
tube was in the room and he noticed a glow of light coming from a
phosphorescent screen. He began placing objects between the CRT and the
screen. When he placed his hand between the 2, he could see the bones of his
fingers. He noted at that time that platinum and lead would obstruct the rays.
One of the first images he obtained using film was of his wife’s hand in which the
exposure was 15 minutes long. He knew he had stumbled onto something
fascinating and sequestered himself in his lab for the next couple of months.
He later published his findings and shared with the intelligent his new finding. In
1901, the discovery of the X ray received a Nobel Prize for Physics.
The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) today has thousands of
members that grew from the early 1900’s American Roentgen Ray Society
(ARRS).
How did it make its way into medicine?
In the early years, there were no “real radiologists” only individuals who would
look at the plates of images and compare them to autopsy and surgical findings
in light of the patient’s clinical complaint. Over time, they could tell what the
disease was from looking at the plates – thus the radiology specialty was born.
In veterinary medicine, veterinarians who are specifically trained in diagnostic
imaging belong to the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR).
Currently, radiologists are one of the most sought after specialist not only in
academia but also in large private practices. In all of Canada, there are only
approximately 10-15 individuals currently working as radiologist.
What is Radiology?
In the past, radiology was used to denote a branch of medicine that used x-rays
for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. More recently, with the advent of
MRI, nuclear medicine, ultrasound etc. – which do not use x-rays to aid in a
diagnosis – Diagnostic Imaging is a more appropriate term.
So then why is diagnostic imaging so important?
A large number of patients that visit general and referral practices undergo some
form of diagnostic imaging in the work up of their clinical signs. It is imperative to
realize that imaging is an ancillary diagnostic modality which is performed in light
of clinical signs, history, physical exam findings, and numerous other diagnostic
tests. However, often times, the diagnosis is made on the imaging study and
even a normal exam can be an important diagnostic aid.
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