Many patients today know about different medical imaging modalities, even if they don’t know how to perform the test or how it works. Medical imaging is not a new discipline and dates back to 1895 when Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen (we will learn more about him momentarily!) discovered the x-ray. Today, there are a variety of procedures that allow doctors to view the inside of your body and make accurate diagnoses. Join us in today’s post when we explore some interesting facts about medical imaging and radiology.
Interesting Medical Imaging Facts
The first ever x-ray was of Rontgen’s wife’s hand, which won him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901. His wife sat still for over a half hour, even though she was convinced the procedure would be the death of her. Today, more than 150 million x-rays are taken each year in the United States.
To date, it is still unclear what the “x” in x-ray means or stands for.
Rontgen refused to patent his discovery, claiming that all of humankind should benefit from it.
Since Rontgen’s discovery, 14 Nobel Prizes have been awarded in chemistry, physics, and medicine for discoveries that used x-rays.
Madam Curie created a way to mobilize x-ray machines onto the battlefield for use in WWI. Additionally, she won the Nobel Prize for the discovery of radium and polonium, which also caused her death and advanced safety requirements in the field of radiography and radiology.
The first ultrasound used in clinical practice was in 1956. Ultrasounds are commonly used to monitor fetal growth and detect breast cancer.
The first MRI scan performed on the human body was conducted in 1971. Today, more than 37 million MRIs are done in the United States.
X-rays performed by Rosalind Franklin led to the first images and the discovery of DNA.
In 1979, NASA began using the giant x-ray, Chandra X-ray, to take images of outer space. It is still in use today.
The first 3D mammogram was conducted in the United States in 2011.
The magnets in an MRI machine can create a magnetic field that is one to four thousand times stronger than the earth’s magnetic field.
CT scans were initially used in England in the 1970s to generate images of the brain.
Medical imaging can be used to diagnose disease and guide surgeons during surgery.
Current medical imaging modalities allow radiologists to view the human body in 2D, 3D, and even 4D.
Touchstone Imaging centers offer a wide range of medical imaging services to patients nationwide.
If the last fact was news to you, you should know that Touchstone Imaging is a full-service medical imaging company with locations all over the Southern United States, including Texas, Florida, and Oklahoma. We have more than 25 years experience in the field of radiology and offer different medical imaging modalities to meet your needs. Whether you need a simple x-ray or require a full-body scan in an open-MRI, we can complete your imaging. Visit us online to discover all of our services and find the clinic nearest you. Contact us to schedule your appointment today!