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Introduction to Radiology

WalifChbeirRadiology

 

Radiology is a quickly-expanding medical field around the world right now. With new technologies coming to light and becoming more and more available, the science behind radiology is growing rapidly.

Understanding the standard definition of radiology is fairly simple. As defined by Google, radiology is “the science dealing with X-rays and other high-energy radiation, especially the use of such radiation for the diagnosis and treatment of disease.”

So while it’s easy to understand that x-rays or MRIs help doctors and radiologists with mapping out images of a patient’s body, you have to delve deeper to gain an understanding of how these machines work, and what they can do. Let’s take a look at a few of the more common forms of scans and what they can do.

 

X-Rays

These are probably the most commonly known scans of the bunch. The machines work by sending electromagnetic radiation (x-rays) through a patient’s body. Denser things like bones absorb these rays, while they’re able to pass through skin or breaks in a bone. Because of this, radiologists are able to create a 2-dimensional image of the injured location. If someone sustains a broken bone, x-rays are often used to assess where the break is located and how badly damaged the bone is.

Often Used for: broken bones, internal injuries, initial imaging before a MRI or CAT scan

 

Ultrasounds

While they may sound like the opposite, ultrasounds operate similarly to normal sounds, but at a frequency that the human ear cannot properly pick up. In the medical field, ultrasounds can be used to create digital images of the inside of the body without doing any harm to the internal organs or, in some cases, an unborn child. Sonography, as the process of imaging using ultrasounds is often referred, emits sound waves through a probe, which then bounce off of the subject, allowing the computer to create a three-dimensional image of the scanned object.

These images are captured in real-time (or at the speed of sound, more or less), very much unlike x-rays, and do not emit radiation, eliminating the risk presented by other scans.

Often used for: examining internal organs, seeing flow of blood, diagnosing internal injuries, examining unborn children

 

MRIs and fMRIs

Short for magnetic resonance imaging and functional magnetic resonance imaging, these types of scans use strong magnets and radio waves to gain a more thorough insight into the tissue, bones and internal organs of a patient. Because they offer a cross-section of larger portions of the body, MRIs often take significantly longer to operate than an x-ray, but do not use any radiation.

Although MRIs and fMRIs are considered to be safer for most patients, those with pacemakers, Cochlear implants or other forms of metal contained within their bodies need to disclose this information to their doctor prior to any scans.

Often Used for: Examining tumors, cysts, abnormalities in joints

 

Radiology has been practiced across Canada for an extended period of time, and continues to evolve even today as new technology emerges. Those who are interested in exploring the field of radiology can visit the website of the Canadian Association of Radiologists to learn more about the education and certifications that are necessary.

 

MedTech Around the World

Walif Chbeir, MD grew up in Lebanon, studied and practiced medicine in France, and then practiced in Canada for about ten years before returning to his home country. Thanks to his diverse background he has a uniquely global perspective of the medical industry, particularly regarding the developments of medical technology (medtech). He keeps up with medtech progress around the world and integrates the latest knowledge into his own work.

Walif specializes in radiology and he is interested in the way that it is applied around the world. Too often, the public takes technological progress at face value without taking the time to see how it affects society and culture as we know it. Walif, on the other hand, has always been interested in the duality of technology and the way that it can both help and hurt people. That’s why the application of technology to the medical sector is so fascinating, as it consistently has positive effects and saves lives.

Walif Chbeir first began studying medicine in France in the 1970s. As he progressed through his career, culminating in his current studies in Lebanon, he witnessed firsthand the incredible progress of diagnostic and interventional radiology techniques throughout the years. He continued to educate himself and others about medical technology through his memberships in industry organizations such as the French Radiology Society, the Quebec Radiologists Association, and the Radiologic Society of North America.

As medical technology evolved, Walif Chbeir’s career evolved alongside it. From 1990 to 2002, he was active primarily in interventional radiology (focused on diagnostic and therapeutic angiography, as well as abdominal and thoracic procedures) in accordance with his university degree that specialized in this area. By the time he began his work as a radiologist in Gatineau, Quebec, his career had shifted to mainly diagnostic, although he maintained a diverse skill set.

Progress in radiologic technology has enabled early detection and intervention regarding deformation, disease, and abnormalities, and helped physicians understand how they can treat their patients for the best results possible. Walif has had the opportunity to see this progress manifest in different procedures across various countries and even continents.

Welcome!

Welcome to the blog page of Walif Chbeir. He plans to blog about radiology and Medical Technology around the globe. Stay tuned!