Scientific research

The Radiology service is one of the largest medical departments at UZ Brussel. We examine people with ever greater precision without having to cut and UZ Brussel aims to continue to fulfil its pioneering role in medical imaging. Over the past 20 years, the service has achieved a great deal in terms of research and training. Of the 110 radiologists trained in the Radiology service at UZ Brussel, 15 now work in major foreign centres.

Pioneering role

In 1987, UZ Brussel was one of the first institutions in the world to implement a digital image archiving system. UZ Brussel also played a pioneering role in the field of digital reporting. High-tech, digital imaging is now a fact. We are able to obtain an increasingly precise image of all sorts of disorders in the body and the impact that they have on the body.

In the last century, scientists’ great goal was to obtain a crystal-clear image of the body without the need for surgery. That goal has now been achieved. Nevertheless, radiology still has its limits. A huge number of images have to be analysed, unhealthy X-rays are still used for CT scans and standard photos, an MRI examination can take more than 30 minutes, etc. These limitations mean that it is not yet possible to examine everyone straight away. However, the technology is developing fast and as time goes on, these barriers, too, will be overcome.

Future prospects

In the future, it will no doubt be possible to carry out scans far more quickly. In addition, computers are being developed that can analyse large numbers of images and display the abnormalities after just a few minutes. The radiologists of the future will play a key role in treating patients and have a permanent place in multidisciplinary medical teams. Support for well trained and experienced people is vitally important here: motivated secretarial and technical staff, skilled nurses and medical imaging technicians, physicists and IT specialists.

High-tech and human

Although medical imaging is a very technical matter, the Radiology service takes care to ensure that people always remain the focal point. Technology is a means, not an end.