Department of Diagnostic Radiology/Department of Nuclear Medicine

You may not be able to imagine the our doctors in "the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine". However, many experienced doctors with various in our department specialties support advanced medical treatment in our hospital through the medical imaging.

In order to provide useful patient's information through the medical imaging for the clinisians that treat various diseases, our doctors always dedicate the cross-disciplinary discussion and cooperation with many departments in our hospital.

Radiology, which deals with medical imaging, continues to make remarkable progress along with advances in science and technology. It is not an exaggeration to say that new science and technology are constantly being introduced in this medical field. Doctors in our department will contribute to making diagnosis and treating various diseases using latest technoology of medical imaging which can perform accurate and safe examinations.

In the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, we are mainly responsible for the examinations of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CT uses X-rays and MRI uses strong magnets and electromagnetic waves. With these devices, we can obtain a precise tomographic image that looks as if you are slicing round slices of the human body. The examinations sometimes need a contrast medium for obtaining addtional information. Diagnostic radiologists with special knowledge of CT and MRI are focusing on the differences in the shape and appearance of the lesion in the CT and MR images. Diagnostic radiologists are responsible for finding the useful information from the huge CT and MR images obtained from whole human body and inform this to the clinicians.The doctors of our department also perform "Interventional Radiology (IR)". IR is novel diagnosis and treatment methods using special thin catheters and needles under image guidance (X-ray, CT and ultrasound, etc.). Interventional radiologists that had learned diagnostic radiology can perform safe and accurate IR procedures for the small target lesions with less invasive for the patients.

The treatment method to cure disease by inserting a thin tube (catheter and needle) into the body with X-ray fluoroscopy, CT, or ultrasound, etc. has evolved with the image diagnosis technology. This technology is called IVR (interventional radiology) and can be pinpointed to treat only in the lesion area, so there is less burden on patients and we can quickly and accurately treat the disease.

In the Department of Nuclear Medicine, we are mainly responsible for inspection of images from single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) methods. Both use radioactive medicines that emit γ-rays. In these devices, the distribution of radioactive medicines, in accordance with blood flow and metabolism of the human body can be obtained as an image. Exercise or drug-administered load testing may also be performed if necessary. Nuclear medicine physicians are focusing on organ functions with specialized knowledge of radioactive isotope management and radioactive medicines. By evaluating the behavior of radioactive medicines in the human body, nuclear medicine physicians evaluate the lack of blood flow in the heart muscle, decrease in brain function, and the nature of tumors.

In recent years, the cytotoxic properties of radioactive isotopes that emit α-and β-rays have been used to treat tumors. Targeted isotope therapy (RI internal therapy) is expected to be a new treatment option for treating tumors.