Radiology is the method of taking images of the internal organs of the body for diagnosis. A radiologist has excellent scope for career advancements in patient diagnostics. There are several specialties to opt for under radiology, each dealing with a different form of imaging. There are several subspecialties, as well. You can visit sites like Inside Radiology for more information. Here are some of the top specialties that an aspiring radiologist could opt for.
- Diagnostic Radiology
This form of radiology uses x-rays and ultrasound for diagnosing diseases. Electromagnetic radiation and radionuclides are other forms of techniques for treating diseases. A radiologist has to undergo about five years of training in all, with one year of clinical training and four radiology training years.
They can also undergo another year of training if they opt for a fellowship. To certify as a diagnostic radiologist, the candidate must specialise in any at least one area among pain medicine, nuclear radiology, hospice and palliative medicine, neuroradiology, paediatric radiology, and vascular and interventional radiology.
- Interventional Radiology
A certification in interventional radiology opens many doors for the radiologist. They have to show expertise in imaging as well as in imaging-guided minimally invasive procedures. They should also know how to provide periprocedural patient care to diagnose and treat the pelvis, abdomen, and thorax conditions.
They should also know about therapies related to stent placement, thrombus management and angioplasty. The entire course includes three years of diagnostic radiology and two years of interventional radiology in most medical colleges worldwide.
- Oncological Radiology
A radiologist specialising in oncology has to know about imaging and diagnosing benign and malignant conditions, especially tumours. They have to use ionising radiation, along with computed tomography scans for accurate imaging.
Additionally, they should know about conducting MRIs, ultrasound, and hyperthermia. The course includes one year of clinical work, followed by four rigorous years of radiation oncology training. For more details, you can even consult sites like Inside Radiology.
A neuroradiologist is responsible for diagnosing and treating the brain, spine, neck, sinus, and other central nervous system disorders. Anomalies in these parts of the body can cause premature aging, seizures, strokes, trauma, or even cancer.
Proper imaging is the key to locating any brain tumour or aneurysm in the spinal cord, and they include myelography, angiography, and MRI and other interventional techniques. Apart from regular clinical diagnosis training, one year of additional training and one year of fellowship is compulsory.
- Paediatric Radiology
Paediatric radiology is all about learning imaging and interventional procedures in children, especially in children with congenital disabilities. The radiologist should know how to diagnose, care, and manage congenital abnormalities to be treated as early as possible. The child does not have a compromised quality of life as an adult. The radiologist requires one-year fellowship and one year of additional approved training over diagnostic radiology.
There are other kinds of subspecialties in radiology like breast imaging, chest radiology, and gastrointestinal radiology. A radiologist should have immense patience, skill, and observational powers to accurately conduct imaging and diagnose the issue, so the patient has the best treatment chance. It is a most rewarding experience and has immense career prospects.