What’s the Difference Between Adult and Pediatric Radiology?

Posted on June 30, 2022

Pediatric radiology is a subspecialty in radiology. This is because radiology is practiced differently in accordance to whether the patient is an adult or a child. The anatomy of children differs greatly from that of an adult. In the adult, all of the bones, tissues, and organs are fully matured. In children, the body is still developing, which means their examination should not be looked at in the same way as an adult. In addition, children are especially sensitive to ionizing radiation.

Children and adults are susceptible to totally different diseases. If radiology is practiced without attention to the patient being an adult or a child, they can be mistreated and misdiagnosed. Some of the ways ImageCare Centers practices pediatric radiology in New Jersey include:

  • MRI

Produces images of internal body structures without the use of radiation or radioactive substances of any kind.

  • CT Scan

Produces cross-sectional images providing a multidimensional view of the body’s interior used to assist in the diagnosis of conditions of organs and body structures.

  • Nuclear Medicine

Uses small amounts of radioactive materials to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of many types of conditions and diseases, including cancer.

  • Ultrasound

Uses sound waves to look at the internal organs of the body.

  • X-ray

Generates images of tissues and structures inside the body,

Children’s and adolescents’ tissues also have a higher water content than adult tissues. This means that more radiation is absorbed and dispersed, so a higher dose is needed to penetrate a layer of tissue of the same thickness. At ImageCare Centers, we adjust radiation doses to a minimum when conducting a pediatric radiology exam. Depending on the exam and why it is needed, we may consider the use of an alternative imaging MRI or ultrasound with non-iodizing radiation if applicable for the patient.

Trust ImageCare Centers to provide high-quality pediatric radiology examinations for your child. If your child’s physician has requested imaging for them, we will provide CT scans, MRIs, nuclear medicine, ultrasounds, or X-rays in a soothing, comfortable setting. We will help put both you and your child at ease during the imaging process. Contact us today at (973) 556-4910 or visit us online to schedule a pediatric radiology exam.