About Radiography 

The radiographer is an important member of the medical team, responsible for using complex and expensive equipment.
There are four different fields of study in radiography, these including the following:

Diagnostic Radiography

Diagnostic radiography is a branch of medicine that uses x-rays to produce images of the human body for diagnosis of disease. Radiographers use their expertise and knowledge of patient care, physics, anatomy, physiology, pathology and imaging techniques to produce optimal radiographic images. In these procedures, x-rays are passed through the body to expose the radiation detector (e.g. photographic film) that is placed on the opposite side of the body. The interaction of x-rays with different body tissues allows the radiologist to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissue and to diagnose many different types of diseases.

While most radiographic images are “still images”, fluoroscopy is a dynamic x-ray imaging technique that produces moving images for evaluating of organ movement such as the beating heart or movement of the diaphragm and bowel. Because blood vessels are not visible on x-ray studies, an iodinated compound is injected into the bloodstream to make them visible.

Computed tomography (CT), is a scanning technique which combines computer and x-ray technologies. The computer constructs a two-dimensional anatomical image which represents a cross-sectional slice through the body. Three-dimensional images can be reconstructed with the aid of special computer software.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), on the other hand, is a diagnostic procedure which makes use of a strong magnet, radio-frequency signals and a computer to produce images. MRI is extremely useful in evaluating diseases of the brain and spine but is also used to evaluate joints, bone and soft tissue abnormalities.

Nuclear medicine is a medical imaging specialty involving the use of small amounts of radioactive substances (radionuclides) in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. For most nuclear medicine imaging studies the radionuclide is injected into the patient where it temporarily collects in the organ under investigation. The patient lies on a table while a gamma camera is positioned above the patient. The gamma camera detects the gamma rays emitted from the radionuclide and uses this information to produce images that show the distribution of the radionuclide within the organ under investigation. Images are stored in the computer and later recorded on film. The examination is called a scintigram or scan.

The single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is one of the specialized examinations in which the gamma camera rotates around the patient taking images of the organ of interest. A computer then aids in the analysis of images to obtain two and three -dimensional images representing thin slices of internal organs such as the heart, brain, and liver or any other organ of interest. The SPECT images display organs with much greater detail than conventional scintigrams.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a new (in South Africa) and more refined imaging technique that is used to study the metabolic activity inside an organ. The technique has been shown to be useful in the study of brain disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease, oncology and the viability of heart tissue.

Nuclear medicine imaging is unique, in that it provides information about both structure and function, based on the cellular function and physiology of the organ, rather than relying on physical changes in the anatomy. In some diseases it can even identify abnormalities at an earlier stage than other diagnostic tests for example stress fractures.

Nuclear medicine radiographers schedule examinations, prepare and inject dosages of radionuclides according to set safety procedures, position patients on the imaging table and operate the gamma camera, which creates pictures of the drug as it passes through the patient's body. Nuclear medicine radiographers function under strict radiation control measures and practice good patient management and care.

Diagnostic ultrasound

Diagnostic Ultrasound or sonography, is an imaging procedure which uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of body structures in order to detect pathology. During an ultrasound examination a small electronic device, called a transducer, is placed on the patient's skin over the area of interest. The transducer produces a sound wave which penetrates the body to reach tissues and organs. When the sound wave strikes a tissue boundary, echoes are produced. The returning echoes are detected by the transducer and then electronically converted into an anatomic image which is displayed on a monitor or screen.

Ultrasound imaging is commonly used to monitor the development of the fetus and to detect fetal abnormalities or pregnancy complications. Ultrasound is also used to demonstrate pathology in internal structures such as the liver, gallbladder, kidneys and heart or superficial structures such as the breast or thyroid gland. Doppler ultrasound is a technique which has been developed to monitor and investigate blood flow while musculo-skeletal ultrasound is used in the investigation of sport injuries.

The sonographer is a highly skilled professional who integrates patient history and supporting clinical data with the sonographic examination to obtain diagnostic results. Ultrasound is a quick, non-invasive and inexpensive investigation which is generally believed to be safe since it does not make use of ionizing radiation. It does, however, have a long learning curve to acquire the technical ability to produce optimal images and the expertise required for the interpretation of the images. Since the quality of the sonographic examination and the final diagnostic report strongly relies on the technical and intellectual skills of the sonographer, it is essential that the sonographer possesses:

· A sound knowledge of applied anatomy, pathophysiology, ultrasound physics, sonographic techniques and equipment operation

· The ability to distinguish normal from abnormal anatomy and identify sonographic appearances related to specific diseases

· Communication, critical thinking and problem solving skills

· Highly developed motor skills that are specific to the profession

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is a common form of cancer treatment which uses high energy radiation such as x-rays, gamma rays, proton or neutrons to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be used alone or in combination with other modalities such as surgery or chemotherapy. The purpose of radiation therapy is to kill cancer cells while causing minimal damage to normal healthy tissue. Radiation therapy takes advantage of advances in diagnostic medical imaging to deliver a curative radiation dose to a tumour without harming critical structures and limiting treatment related side effects. New developments in radiation therapy such as intensity modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery and brachytherapy are assisting in this aim. Radiation therapy also plays a valuable role in the palliative care of patients by reducing pain and generally improving the quality of life of terminal cancer patients.

Effective patient care and treatment of cancer patients is determined by the close cooperation of a multidisciplinary oncology team. The radiation therapist sees the patient every day for a period of 6-8 weeks and is responsible for the education of the patient, the localization of the tumour, planning the radiotherapy treatment, delivering the treatment and monitoring the side effects of treatment. The radiation therapist works closely with the oncologist, a medical physicist and oncology nurses to ensure that the best care is given to the patient. The radiation therapist needs to be a person who is caring, empathetic, motivated, enjoys taking responsibility and can work well as a member of a team.

The Department of Radiography is pleased to announce that as from 2013 a 4 year Bachelors Degree may be replacing the National Diploma Radiography currently offered. Further details will follow