Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Protection Resources

Diagnostic radiology is a method of finding out what is wrong with a patient by seeing through the affected part of their body using X-rays. A diagnosis is made either from two or three plain X-ray images (radiographs), from a series of images produced by CT (computerized tomography) scanning or moving X-ray images called fluoroscopy. Radiation Protection is the name given to work that ensures any exposure to ionising and non-ionising radiation is reduced as low as reasonably practicable. Ionising radiations can produce changes to living cells, and includes X-rays, Gamma rays and other types of radiation such as protons and neutrons used either in examinations to diagnose diseases, or as a treatment for cancer. Non-Ionising radiations including ultrasound, lasers, ultraviolet, microwaves, magnetic and radio frequency fields (MRI), can also be used for diagnosis or treatment.