Diagnostic imaging

Diagnostic imaging also called medical imaging, refers to the ensemble of methods used to generate visual representations of objects of clinical interest. These include x-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Positron emission tomography (PET), Radionuclide angiography, Single Photon Emission Computed Tompography (SPECT) and ultrasonography. They are usually used to provide supplementary diagnostic information as well as to monitor the progress of disease and/ or therapy.

Physicians who devote their careers in the interpretation of these methods are radiologists or nuclear medicine specialists. Both specialties do other work besides imaging, but, in general, radiologists are concerned with images produced by directing an electromagnetic or ultrasound signal through the body to a receiver, where nuclear medicine is concerned with obtaining images from radioactive substances inside the body.