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Frequently Asked Questions

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Take it one step at a time. The sections below move from the basics through screening and treatment — read only what you need right now.Unsure about a term? Check the glossary.

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14 articles

What is the Difference Between Outpatient and Inpatient Medicine?

Often, one may hear the terms outpatient or inpatient used when referring to a type of diagnostic or therapeutic procedure.

March 11, 2010

History of Medical Diagnosis and Diagnostic Imaging

Radiology began as a medical sub-specialty in first decade of the 1900's after the discovery of x-rays by Professor Roentgen. The development of radiology grew at a good pace until World War II.

March 11, 2010

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Diagnostic Imaging

The Imaginis Web site offers a spectrum of information on medical imaging to ordinary people and patients as well as to physicians, radiologists, and medical imaging technologists and specialists.

March 11, 2010

What is Medical Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology?

Diagnostic imaging refers to a variety of non-invasive methods for identifying and monitoring diseases or injuries via the generation of images representing internal anatomic structures and organs of the patient's body.

March 11, 2010

How Should I Prepare for a Medical Imaging Examination?

Visit the Types of Exams Menu to link to specific information on what happens during Angiography, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance, Mammography, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound and X-ray Imaging.

March 11, 2010

What Happens After the Diagnostic Imaging Examination?

Consultation and release: Once the diagnostic imaging exam has been performed, you will have a short wait while the technologist and radiologist determine if the images are of the appropriate clarity, sharpness and orientation.

March 11, 2010

What Does Disease or Injury Look Like on a Diagnostic Image?

Injury or disease is physically manifested by actual change in a person's anatomy. For example, if a person has a cartilage tear of his or her knee from a sports injury, MR (MRI) imaging can clearly show this damage.

March 11, 2010

Milestones in Medical Diagnosis and Diagnostic Imaging

Date Development or Discovery c. 400 BC Disease concept introduced by Greek physician Hippocrates. 1612 Medical Thermometer devised by Italian physician Sanctorius c.

March 11, 2010

Why Would I Need to Have Diagnostic Imaging?

There are thousands of illnesses and injuries where diagnostic imaging is indicated as a part of the diagnostic and therapeutic process. A huge number of books written for doctors and/or ordinary people are in print and cover the list of these illnesses and injuries.

March 11, 2010

What Does 'Non-invasive' Mean?

Non-invasive simply means the body is not invaded or cut open as during surgical investigations or therapeutic surgery. Until the last several decades, exploratory surgery was routinely performed when a patient was critically ill and the source of illness was not known.

March 11, 2010

Who are the Professionals that Perform Diagnostic Imaging?

Radiologists: Doctors who are specialized in diagnostic imaging are called radiologists. These physicians have completed four or more years of additional advanced training beyond their medical doctor (M.D.) degree.

March 11, 2010

Why Would I Need to Have Diagnostic Imaging?

First, a review of the role of "diagnosis" and diagnostic tests in the basic medical process (or skip to specific details). Over the centuries, the practice of health care and medicine has evolved into a complex system.

March 11, 2010

Where Can I Receive a Diagnostic Imaging Examination?

Over the past 100 years since the discovery of x-rays, radiology and diagnostic imaging have been administered in doctor's offices and in specialized x-ray or radiology departments in hospitals.

March 11, 2010

What Happens During a Medical Imaging Examination?

While there are many differences between the various types of diagnostic imaging tests, during most imaging exams, the basic steps in the procedure from start to finish are similar.

August 15, 2010