Radiologists at the frontline of early detection, precision medicine across healthcare

KUALA LUMPUR: Often seen as the 'silent guardian' of modern medicine, radiology plays a crucial behind-the-scenes role in every aspect of patient care, from the early detection, diagnosis of diseases to treatment planning and ongoing management.

Consultant Radiologist at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC) Dr Adam Pany Abdullah said a radiologist is a physician trained to examine the body's internal structures using imaging techniques such as X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and nuclear scans.

"These methods allow radiologists to detect abnormalities and offer insights not visible through other diagnostic tools," he said in a statement today.

Dr Adam said that radiology is not just about interpreting images but it also acts as a roadmap for the entire medical team, guiding them in selecting the most effective treatment options for patients.

"Our work begins with early diagnosis, particularly in detecting cancers and identifying infections before they progress to advanced stages. Patients often feel anxious when they don't fully understand their condition.

"We've noticed they are more receptive to treatment when we show them scan results and explain the findings," he said.

Dr Adam stressed that by visually seeing the issue with precise measurements, patients would gain a clearer understanding, hence fostering trust in the proposed treatment plan, while follow-up scans provide reassurance by showing how well their recovery is progressing.

In the statement, Dr Adam also highlighted how advanced radiological technology is pivotal throughout the healthcare journey from early detection to intervention and ongoing monitoring.

"The primary goal of radiology is disease prevention, enabling healthcare professionals to detect conditions before they fully develop or become severe. Early detection allows for less invasive treatments, such as medication or physiotherapy, which could prevent the need for major surgeries," he said.

Dr Adam said that in the last decade, radiology has witnessed significant technological advancements, particularly in image resolution and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI).

"With AI-powered algorithms analysing imaging data, we now achieve unprecedented accuracy, detecting millimetre-level details with MRIs and CT scans, compared to the centimetre resolution that was standard a decade ago.

"Advancements in radiology enable us to gather critical insights about cancer, such as identifying the cancer type, pinpointing the tumour's exact location and size, deciding if surgery is necessary, and developing the most effective treatment plan," he said.

Dr Adam, a neuroradiologist specialising in imaging the central nervous system which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, also performs interventional procedures, particularly for stroke patients.

He explains that at SMC, patients are treated by a team, including a radiologist who collaborates with specialists to review scan results, discuss diagnoses, and plan treatment.

The Radiology Department at SMC provides clinical services in diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, ultrasound, and cross-sectional imaging with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, including Digital CT scanners, and four units of the advanced 3 Tesla MRI.

-- BERNAMA

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