But it was the first time doctors could see inside the body without actually cutting it open. It was revolutionary, no question. Today, imaging techniques can show a slice of the human body no wider than a fingernail from any angle.
Pregnant women can see their babies in the womb.
Almost every disease or medical condition can be diagnosed through such images. Not long ago, the technologists who perform imaging didn't need to train for anything more than basic radiography. That's all changed. Today's radiologic technologists are expected to be competent in more than one area and highly skilled. It's a profession expected to be one of the five in hottest demand until at least 2010.