Concorde Staff
Medical imaging technology allows doctors to look inside the human body without invasive procedures. Both ultrasound and radiology serve as crucial diagnostic tools. This technology is so established that 90% of health care data are medical images. Half of all ionizing radiation exposure in the U.S. comes from medical imaging. This article explores the key differences and similarities between radiography and sonography to help aspiring health care technologists choose their career paths.
What Is Radiology?
Radiology is a medical specialty that uses advanced imaging technology to provide a view of the body's internal structures. Radiology techniques include X-rays, computed tomography scans, and magnetic resonance imaging. Though radiography is non-invasive, these procedures often use radiation.
Role of a Radiology Technician
A radiology technician guides patients through the process of having an imaging procedure. This includes preparing the patient, positioning their body, protecting exposed areas from radiation, and operating the necessary equipment to capture the images. Radiology technicians may also assist radiographers with image interpretation.
Related: Day in the Life of a Radiologic Technologist
What Is Sonography?
Sonography is a medical procedure that uses sound waves produced by ultrasound equipment to create images of internal structures, such as organs, veins, and blood. Sonography is non-invasive and doesn't involve radiation, so one of its many uses is to look at fetuses during pregnancy.
Responsibilities of a Sonography Technician
Sonography technicians work closely with patients to complete ultrasound scans. They explain the procedure, position the patient, and use ultrasound equipment to collect the appropriate images. The technician may also collaborate with other health care professionals to evaluate the images and consider the diagnosis.
Related: Sonography Career Guide: Here's What To Know
Key Differences Between Radiology and Sonography
Though many aspects of sonography may exist in a radiology technician's role, there are key differences between the specific fields of radiology and sonography. Physicians and referring specialists must consider these distinctions carefully when deciding between sonography or radiology for a patient.
Technology and Image Production
The technology used for radiography is different to that used for sonography. Most radiology procedures use ionizing radiation. This technology, though it exposes the patient to a small amount of radiation, produces superior images. The detailed 3D imagery produced by an MRI scan is the gold standard of diagnostic imaging. Radiographers can use a CT scan to capture a cross-section of the body, an X-ray machine to get sharp images of joints and bones, and contrast dyes in fluoroscopy procedures to capture continuous X-ray images that play like a video.
Sonography is safer in terms of radiation, but the ultrasound wand has some limitations in producing the detail and quality of images. Ultrasound scans typically focus on soft tissues, the insides of organs. Cardiovascular sonography is a specialty focusing exclusively on capturing imagery of the heart, heart valves, and blood flow.
Though most sonography procedures occur outside the body, some ultrasound equipment can take images from the inside. A cardiac intravascular ultrasound views the heart using a tiny ultrasound wand on a catheter inserted into an artery. A transesophageal echocardiogram uses a probe and transducer inserted into the esophagus to capture the sonogram from a position close to the heart. Echocardiologists require specialized training and certification for these procedures.
Related: Three Common Myths About Radiologic Technology
Diagnostic Applications
Each radiology procedure has a specific purpose. Examples of diagnostic applications for these images include:
- Inspecting how the stomach and intestines are functioning with fluoroscopy X-rays.
- Evaluating broken bones with standard X-rays.
- Assessing brain tissue with an MRI machine.
- Diagnosing cancer with a CT scan.
Sonography has a variety of purposes. A sonographer can perform many tasks, including:
- Distinguishing breast cysts and masses with a breast ultrasound.
- Evaluating heart function with an echocardiogram.
- Identifying gallstones with an abdominal ultrasound.
- Discovering ovarian cysts with a pelvic ultrasound.
- Diagnosing thyroid issues with a thyroid ultrasound.
Safety and Exposure
Exposure to radiation is one of the biggest differences, as most radiology procedures expose patients and radiology technicians to a small amount of radiation. To help ensure that radiologists follow safety protocols, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission mandates the use of safety regulations developed by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements and the International Commission on Radiological Protection. In fact, occupational exposure to radiation for radiologic technologists and radiologists is 90% under annual dosage limits[3].
In contrast to radiology, ultrasonography uses no radiation, eliminating any potential concern for those who feel uncomfortable working around radiation.
Education and Training
Many resources list sonography as a form of radiology, which is technically correct, as radiology is classified as any imaging technology, including X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasonography. Some radiology techs perform ultrasounds, but people who pursue an education exclusive to sonography cannot work in radiology.
Radiologic technology is an ideal option for students interested in obtaining a broad education with many potential paths for the future. Concorde Career College's Radiologic Technology Associate Degree program can be completed in as few as 20 months at our Aurora, CO and Memphis, TN campuses. This program offers students the opportunity to train with MRI machines, CT scans, and X-ray machines.
A radiology tech can become a sonographer with additional certification from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. In some locations, a radiology tech may also need an ultrasound license.
Health care technologists who want to work as sonographers can focus exclusively on sonography with Concorde's Diagnostic Medical Sonography or Cardiovascular Sonography training programs. Students can complete these programs in as few as 20 months.
Similarities Between Radiology and Sonography
Radiology and sonography fall into the same category of diagnostic medical technology.
Production of Medical Imagery
Both radiology and sonography produce internal images of the body collected in a non-invasive manner. As both types of imagery are usually captured in a hospital environment, they will often occupy the same suite.
Assistance in Diagnostics and Treatment
Radiology and sonography have the same purpose. Both assist in the diagnosis of medical conditions. Because the procedures are non-invasive, they offer a safe alternative to exploratory surgery or other options. Sonography and radiology can confirm diagnoses and the absence of disease.
Highly Trained Professionals
The duties of a sonographer are similar to those of a radiology technician, as both roles prepare, maintain, and operate medical imaging technology. These imaging techs also work with patients to assist them throughout the process, explaining procedures, answering questions, and positioning them for treatment.
Crucial Roles in Patient Care
The value of the imagery a radiology tech or a sonographer produces is the same. Both technologies are essential to patient care.
Continuing Education Requirements
Ultrasound and radiology technicians must pursue continuing medical education credits to maintain their certifications. For all certifications, the ARDMS requires 30 CMEs every three years. Those certified in ultrasonography can get some or all of these credits in an area specific to their specialty.
Growing Demand in Health Care Settings
Both sonography and radiology continue to serve as popular diagnostic tools. Advances in these technologies continue to keep them at the forefront of diagnostic health care.
Skills Required for Radiology and Sonography Careers
The skills of ultrasound and radiology techs are similar. Both require a commitment to continual learning, as well as:
- Technical proficiency
- Critical thinking
- Attention to detail
- Physical stamina
- Good communication
- Empathy and compassion
- Technological adaptability
Career Outlook
There's a growing demand for sonographers and radiology technicians. Job opportunities for MRI technologists are projected to increase by 8% between 2023 and 2033, while employment for radiologist technologists and technicians is projected to increase by 6%. The job outlook for diagnostic medical sonographers has a projected growth of 15%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a sonographer and a radiation therapist?
Radiation therapist roles differ from sonographers and radiology techs. A radiation therapist administers radiation to patients with cancer or similar diseases.
Is radiography or sonography better?
Both radiography and sonography have important roles in diagnostic health care. Physicians choose which technology best suits the patient on a case-by-case basis.
Are ultrasound techs and sonographers the same?
An ultrasound technician can also be a sonographer with the appropriate certification and training. A radiology tech can also perform ultrasounds, but in most cases, a health care professional will choose to focus on one area.
Conclusion
Exploring a radiologist or sonographer role reveals differences and similarities. Each field has strengths and applications, making both essential to modern health care. Concorde can help with training for either career path for a variety of Medical Diagnostic programs.
“Transforming medical imaging with Transformers? A comparative review of key properties, current progresses, and future perspectives.” Science Direct. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/medical-imaging
“Modern Diagnostic Imaging Technique Applications and Risk Factors in the Medical Field: A Review.” National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9192206/
“Radiation exposure among radiology staff lower than recommended limits.” Aunt Minnie. https://www.auntminnie.com/clinical-news/digital-x-ray/article/15632775/radiation-exposure-among-radiology-staff-lower-than-recommended-limits
“Radiologic and MRI Technologists.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-6
“Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm#tab-6
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