Radiologist
A radiologist is a certified physician who performs and interprets the results of imaging examinations — magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, X-ray, ultrasound, mammography and other visual diagnostic methods. The report prepared by the radiologist helps the family doctor or specialist establish a diagnosis, assess the progression of a disease and choose the most appropriate treatment strategy.
Radiologists at “Veselības centrs 4” work with various imaging methods, ensuring accurate examinations and their descriptions, preparation of reports and, if necessary, evaluation of previously performed examinations.
What examinations does a radiologist perform and evaluate?
A radiologist performs and evaluates images obtained using various diagnostic methods. A wide range of imaging diagnostic services is available at “Veselības centrs 4” clinics:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): for examining the head, spine, joints, soft tissues, abdominal organs, blood vessels and other structures.
Computed tomography (CT): for assessing injuries, lung, abdominal, head, spine, oncological and other pathologies. CT can be performed with or without contrast medium.
X-ray or radiography: for diagnosing bones, joints, the spine, chest, lungs and injuries.
Ultrasound (US/USG): for evaluating abdominal organs, the thyroid gland, soft tissues, joints, breasts, lymph nodes and other organs.
Sonoelastography: a method that supplements an ultrasound examination with a special programme capable of detecting different elasticity patterns in a specific tissue group. This makes it possible to determine the nature of a lesion more accurately, identify the form of a malignant tumour and detect cancer even at an early stage.
Duplex ultrasound of veins and arteries: for diagnosing narrowing of blood vessels, thrombosis, disorders of venous outflow and other vascular changes.
Mammography: for breast health checks, breast cancer screening and early diagnosis.
Osteodensitometry: precise diagnostics for determining bone density in the lumbar vertebrae, both hip bones and other bones.
When should you visit a radiologist?
A patient is most often referred to a radiologist or for a radiological examination by a family doctor or specialist when it is necessary to clarify a diagnosis, assess an injury, inflammation, tumour, vascular changes or treatment results.
A radiologist may be needed if:
a doctor has prescribed an MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound or mammography examination;
a radiologist’s report is required before starting treatment or planning surgery;
there is acute pain, injury, swelling or restricted movement;
oncological follow-up or assessment of disease dynamics is required;
a previously performed examination needs to be compared with a new examination;
a second opinion is needed on imaging examinations performed at another medical institution;
imaging diagnostics are included in a preventive health check-up;
there is suspicion of vascular, thyroid, abdominal, lung, breast, spine or joint pathology.
How does a visit or examination with a radiologist at “Veselības centrs 4” take place?
First, the necessary imaging examination is performed — MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, mammography or another method. After the examination, the images are evaluated by a radiologist, who prepares a written report for the treating doctor and the patient.
Depending on the type of examination, the results may be available immediately, for example in many ultrasound cases, or within several working days, for example for MRI, CT or X-ray examinations. The exact time for receiving results depends on the complexity of the examination and the clinical situation.
Why choose “Veselības centrs 4”?
“Veselības centrs 4” offers a wide range of imaging diagnostic services in one place: MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, mammography, Doppler ultrasound and other examinations. This allows the patient to receive the examination, the radiologist’s report and further specialist consultation within a unified medical care process.
Advantages of “Veselības centrs 4”:
a wide range of imaging diagnostics within one network of medical institutions;
experienced radiologists and diagnostic specialists;
modern diagnostic equipment and digital image processing;
the possibility to undergo examinations in Riga and at other VC4/Visual Diagnostics locations;
reports available to the treating doctor for diagnosis clarification;
the possibility to compare previous and current examinations;
convenient appointment booking and electronic receipt of results, depending on the type of examination.
Myths about radiologists and imaging diagnostics
Myth: A radiologist only “looks at pictures”.
In fact: a radiologist is a diagnostic physician who performs examinations and analyses medical images, compares findings with clinical information and prepares a report that helps establish a diagnosis and treatment strategy.
Myth: MRI and CT are the same examination.
In fact: MRI uses a magnetic field and radiofrequency pulses, while CT uses X-rays and creates cross-sectional images. The choice of examination depends on the medical indication, the body part being examined and the doctor’s clinical question.
Myth: Computed tomography is always dangerous because of radiation.
In fact: CT uses X-rays, so the examination is performed only when medically justified. Modern equipment helps reduce the radiation dose, while the doctor assesses the benefit-risk ratio for each patient.
Myth: All imaging examinations can be performed without a referral.
In fact: the need for a referral depends on the type of examination and the payment procedure. For example, the VC4 ultrasound page states that ultrasound can be performed without a referral, while the X-ray and CT pages state that a doctor’s referral is required for these examinations.
Myth: If the report shows no serious changes, a doctor’s consultation is no longer needed.
In fact: the radiologist’s report is an important part of diagnostics, but the final diagnosis and treatment plan are determined by the treating doctor, taking into account symptoms, test results, examination findings and other investigations.
