title: From Roentgen to magnetic resonance imaging: the history of medical imaging.
abstract: Medical imaging has advanced in remarkable ways since the discovery of x-rays 120 years ago. Today's radiologists can image the human body in intricate detail using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, ultrasound, and various other modalities. Such technology allows for improved screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of disease, but it also comes with risks. Many imaging modalities expose patients to ionizing radiation, which potentially increases their risk of developing cancer in the future, and imaging may also be associated with possible allergic reactions or risks related to the use of intravenous contrast agents. In addition, the financial costs of imaging are taxing our health care system, and incidental findings can trigger anxiety and further testing. This issue of the NCMJ addresses the pros and cons of medical imaging and discusses in detail the following uses of medical imaging: screening for breast cancer with mammography, screening for osteoporosis and monitoring of bone mineral density with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, screening for congenital hip dysplasia in infants with ultrasound, and evaluation of various heart conditions with cardiac imaging. Together, these articles show the challenges that must be met as we seek to harness the power of today's imaging technologies, as well as the potential benefits that can be achieved when these hurdles are overcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. jiscatliff@aol.com.
authors.forename: James H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Scatliff
authors.affiliation: Urban Ministries of Wake County, Raleigh, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000266:history; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000266:history; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history / Q000517:prevention & control; D011859:Radiography / Q000266:history; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000266:history; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000266:history; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000266:history