Radiology Subspecialties

Radiology is one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing branch within the house of medicine.  Radiologists are at the very cutting edge of technology.  In fact, the field has grown so rapidly that subspecialized radiologists exist for almost every body system and for many imaging modalities.  Below are some of the radiology subspecialties.

Abdominal Radiology (Abdominal Radiologists)

Also referred to as abdominopelvic radiologists, body imagers, body radiologists, and GI radiologists.  Abdominal radiologists deal with multiple modalities including MRI, CT, PET, Ultrasound, X Rays, and fluoroscopy.  The evaluate the gastrointestinal system, abdomen, and pelvis.  They also often perform minimally invasive procedures such as biopsies and image guided drainages.

Note that the radiologist who reads cases is not necessarily at the imaging center where the image was taken. He or she could be working remotely. This is called Teleradiology.

Breast Radiology, Breast Imaging, Mammography

Also referred to as mammographers or breast radiologists.  The subspecialty of radiology devoted to the diagnostic imaging and diagnosis of breast diseases and conditions. This includes mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and breast procedures such as breast biopsy.

Cardiovascular Radiology

Also referred to as cardiothoracic radiologists or cardiovascular imagers.  The subspecialty of radiology devoted to the diagnostic imaging and diagnosis of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, (including the arteries and veins, and the lymphatics). This includes x-rays, CT (computed tomography or CAT), ultrasound and MRI.

Chest Radiology

Also referred to as thoracic radiologists and sometimes overlap with cardiothoracic radiology.  The subspecialty of radiology devoted to diagnostic imaging and diagnosis of diseases of the chest, especially the heart and lungs. This includes x-rays, CT (computed tomography or CAT), Ultrasound, MRI and chest procedures, such as lung biopsy and drainage of fluid from the chest.

Diagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Radiologists)

This is a non-specific term which applies to most of radiology.  Diagnostic radiology often refers to general radiology, however, diagnostic radiology often does not include the subspecialty of interventional radiology (vascular and interventional radiology).

Emergency Radiology

The subspecialty of radiology devoted to the diagnostic imaging and diagnosis of trauma and non-traumatic emergency conditions. This includes x-rays, CT (computed tomography or CAT), Ultrasound and MRI.

Gastrointestinal (GI) Radiology

Also referred to as abdominal radiology or abdominopelvic radiologists (author's preference).  The subspecialty of radiology devoted to the diagnostic imaging and diagnosis of the gastrointestinal (GI), or digestive tract (the stomach and intestines) and abdomen. This includes fluoroscopy, x-rays, CT (computed tomography or CAT), Ultrasound, MRI, and GI procedures such as biopsy, fluid and abscess drainage.

Genitourinary Radiology

Also referred to as abdominal radiologists.  The subspecialty of radiology devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of the organs of the reproductive and urinary tracts. This includes x-rays, CT (computed tomography or CAT), MRI and procedures such as biopsy, kidney stone removal, and uterine fibroid removal.

Head and Neck Radiology (Head and Neck Radiologists)

Head and neck radiologists are often neuroradiologists.  The subspecialty of radiology devoted to the diagnostic imaging and diagnosis of diseases of the head and neck. This includes x-rays, CT (computed tomography or CAT), Ultrasound and MRI.

MRI Radiology (MRI Radiologists)

The specialty of medicine dealing with diagnosis and imaging of the entire body using magnetic resonance imaging.  This branch of radiology is being replaced by body systems based subspecialits.

Musculoskeletal Radiology (Musculoskeletal Radiologists)

The subspecialty of radiology devoted to the diagnostic imaging and diagnosis of the muscles and the skeleton. This includes x-rays, CT (computed tomography or CAT), Ultrasound and MRI.

Neuroradiology (Neuroradiologists)

The subspecialty of radiology devoted to the diagnostic imaging and diagnosis of the brain and nerves, head, neck and spine. This includes x-rays, CT (computed tomography or CAT), Ultrasound and MRI.

Nuclear Radiology (Nuclear Radiologists)

Also referred to as molecular imaging or nuclear imaging.  The subspecialty of radiology devoted to the imaging, diagnosis and treatment of patients with trace doses of radioactive material. This includes imaging of the heart, the skeletal system, and most organs in the body (for example the thyroid and parathyroid glands, liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs, etc). It also includes the treatment of various conditions in the body such as a hyperactive thyroid gland and thyroid cancer. The imaging modalities include a gamma imaging, PET, and PET/CT.

Pediatric Radiology (Pediatric Radiologists)

The subspecialty of radiology devoted to the diagnostic imaging and diagnosis of diseases of children. This includes x-rays, CT (computed tomography or CAT), Ultrasound, MRI and procedures such as fluoroscopy, biopsy and drainage of fluid or abscess collections.

Radiation Oncology (Radiation Oncologists)

Also referred to as therapeutic radiology (therapeutic radiologists).  Radiation oncologists were previously trained in radiology but now are a new branch of medicine.  The subspecialty of radiology devoted to the treatment of cancer with radiation. The radiation may be delivered from an outside x-ray source or may be injected into the body.

Teleradiology (Teleradiologists)

This refers to the practice of radiology from a remote location.  Teleradiology involved imaging of the entire body but does not include interventional radiology at this time.  Teleradiology can and does include most of the other subspecialties.

Ultrasound Radiology, Ultrasonography, Sonography

This is the branch of radiology devoted to the use of medical ultrasound to evaluate virtually the entire body.  Images are typically acquired by ultrasound technicians (ultrasonographers) and the final professional interpretation is performed by an Ultrasound Radiologist.  This branch of radiology (modality based) is disappearing and being replaced with system based subspecialists such as cardiovascular radiology and abdominal radiology.

Vascular and Interventional Radiology (Interventional Radiologists)

Also referred to as Vascular and Interventional radiologists or interventionalists.  The subspecialty of radiology devoted to the imaging, diagnosis and treatment of patients utilizing minimally invasive interventional techniques. This includes imaging and treatment of the blood vessels (such as angiography, angioplasty and stent placemnt), biopsy procedures, line and tube placement, uterine fibroid removal, fluid and abscess drainage, These can be performed with x-rays, fluoroscopy, CT (computed tomography or CAT), Ultrasound or MRI.

If you need a radiologist for Teleradiology Services, please don't hesitate to contact us.

If we have inadvertently not included a subspecialty within radiology, please contact us so that we may improve this page. 

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