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Diagnostic Imaging
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Diagnostic Tests

Diagnostic Imaging

Diagnostic imaging refers to medical tests that create pictures of the inside of the body to help providers detect disease, monitor injuries, and guide treatment.

What is diagnostic imaging?

Diagnostic imaging refers to medical tests that create pictures of the inside of the body. These pictures help your health care provider see your organs, bones, blood vessels, and tissues. Imaging tests can help find the cause of symptoms, detect disease early, monitor an illness or injury, and guide treatment.

What are different types of diagnostic imaging?

Different machines are used to create pictures inside your body. The type of imaging your provider uses depends on your symptoms and the part of your body being checked. Common types of diagnostic imaging include:

  • X-rays
  • CT (computed tomography) scans
  • Nuclear medicine scans
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans
  • Ultrasound

Why is diagnostic imaging done?

Diagnostic imaging tests help providers understand health problems and make decisions about care. These tests may be used to:

  • Find health problems early
  • Learn what causes pain or other symptoms
  • Plan treatment
  • Monitor a condition or see how well treatment is working

Some imaging tests can also help guide medical procedures, such as placing catheters, stents, or other medical devices inside the body.

How is diagnostic imaging done?

Each diagnostic imaging test is different, but many follow similar steps. During an imaging test:

  • Some tests require you to change clothes or remove metal items, such as jewelry or glasses
  • Some tests require you to fast (not eat or drink) or drink contrast material (a substance that helps some parts of your body show up more clearly on the images)
  • Many imaging tests take only a short time
  • Some tests require you to stay still inside an imaging machine, which may feel uncomfortable
  • Some tests use a small amount of radiation

Always tell your provider if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. After most imaging tests, you can return to normal activities right away. A specialist called a radiologist reviews the images and shares the results with your provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pelvic and early obstetrical ultrasounds require a full bladder because fluid serves as an "acoustic window" that pushes the gas-filled bowel out of the way, allowing sound waves to clearly reach the uterus and ovaries. Conversely, abdominal ultrasounds require fasting for 6 to 8 hours to prevent gallbladder contraction and reduce bowel gas that blocks views of the liver, pancreas, and bile ducts.
Doctors select CT scans when rapid evaluation is essential, such as in acute trauma, suspected strokes, bone fractures, and lung disease. MRIs avoid radiation and excel at visualizing soft tissues, making them the preferred choice for detailed evaluations of the brain, spinal cord, ligaments, tendons, and pelvic organs, provided the patient has no incompatible metal implants and can remain still for 30 to 60 minutes.
If you experience claustrophobia, discuss it with your doctor beforehand. Accommodations can include using an open-bore scanner, listening to music through headphones, wearing an eye mask, or receiving a prescription for a short-acting anti-anxiety medication to take right before the appointment.
Ultrasound and MRI do not use ionizing radiation and are generally considered safe during pregnancy when clinically necessary. Conversely, CT scans and standard X-rays involve radiation and are typically avoided or shielded unless required for a medical emergency where the mother's life or health is at risk.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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