MEDICAL IMAGING: CONCERNS AND APPROPRIATE USE CRITERIA

Abstract

Current era is hallmarked by humongous development in medical imaging which includes both radiation based radiological and nuclear medicine procedures and non-radiation based procedures like ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Medical imaging has significantly improved the quality of health care by making it safer by providing less invasive methods for diagnosis and treatment. It is imperative that radiologists and nuclear physicians who have imaging-focused education must be trained and have experience to provide patients with the safest, most effective medical imaging with most accurate diagnostic interpretations. Appropriate use of medical imaging remains a cornerstone of high quality medical care. In recent years there has been growing but valid concerns over the deleterious effects of ionizing radiations and morbidity associated with injected contrast and radiopharmaceuticals. Due to these concerns, appropriate use criteria have been published by various professional societies, encompassing that potential benefits should outweighed the risk of imaging procedure that is being performed.