Celebrating the First X-Ray and Radiology’s Contributions to Children’s Health Care

Today, November 8, 2015, marks the 120^th anniversary of the discovery of the X-ray by Wilhelm Roentgen, a German physicist. He used X-rays to produce an image of his wife’s hand—the most famous X-ray in the world! This breakthrough has evolved and expanded into the diverse field of medical imaging. I’m excited to recognize the importance of this day by acknowledging the International Day of Radiology and sharing some information about the amazing things happening in medical imaging.

Radiology, or Medical Imaging, is an integral part of modern medicine. Diverse imaging technologies are used in the diagnosis of both common and rare diseases.

The use of effective imaging often leads to:

• Faster, more accurate diagnosis.
• Improved treatments and outcomes.
• Eliminating exploratory surgeries.
• Avoiding extended stay in the hospital for observation.
• Minimizing the guesswork of diagnosis by physical examination alone.

Types of Imaging Technology

Most people think of X-rays when you say radiology. On average, Primary Children’s Hospital does almost 40,000 X-rays a year. You might be surprised to learn that we also do almost that many of the other types of imaging procedures each year. There are 6 main types of procedures that are used in very different circumstances.

• X-Rays are typically used in the evaluation of injuries for fractures, or to evaluate for pneumonia in a child with a cough and fever.
• Computed Tomography (CT) Scans rotate an X-ray tube around the body to produce cross sectional images. This allows us to look inside the skull for possible bleeding when a child experiences a head injury, or can be used to evaluate defects in infants with malformed hearts.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses magnetic fields to produce images. These images can show small abnormalities in a brain that may be causing seizures or can evaluate for infection in a bone.
• Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images. Ultrasound is frequently used in evaluating pediatric patients for appendicitis.
• Nuclear Medicine uses radioactive particles to assess the function of different parts of the body, such as the drainage of a dilated kidney.
• Radiation Oncology uses x-rays and other radiation to treat cancer. Forty-four percent of children diagnosed with cancer are treated with radiation therapies that are dramatically improving survival rates and saving lives.

Put Your Child’s Imaging in the Best Hands

This incredible technology is only part of the story. Radiology technologists and Ultrasonographers play a vital role in obtaining high quality images. Without their expertise in the equipment and working with patients, none of this would be possible. Imaging technologists specially trained in pediatrics make a child’s (and parent’s!) imaging experience much better. Having a solid understanding of pediatric anatomy combined with robust experience working with kids, such as gentler handling, distraction tools & techniques, and lower radiation doses allow for a safer and more effective imaging procedure.

Once the images are created, pediatric radiologists with specialized training and knowledge of anatomy, diseases, and technology interpret the images. Their expertise and experience is particularly important in the pediatric population because children are not just little adults. The injuries and diseases that they experience are unique, and require specially trained eyes.

Be assured that our entire imaging team is dedicated to putting the child first and always in every imaging procedure that we do. November 8th might be International Day of Radiology, but medical imaging and radiation oncology are making a world of difference every day.

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