Tests offered by the Radiology department

The function of the Radiology Department is to run a variety of tests to help with the diagnosis and treatment of a range of conditions.The department offers the following services:

• General X-ray – A scan that uses tiny amounts of radiation to show structures inside the body such as the bones and lungs.

• Contrast studies – Diagnostic tests where a contrast dye such as barium, which shows up on X-rays, is swallowed or given through a tube to help outline structures of the body on X-ray. Specific types of contrast study include:

  • Contrast enema

  • Upper GI contrast study

• CT scanning – A computer system which uses X-rays to take more complex pictures of the internal structures of the body.

• MRI scanning – a scan using a magnetic field rather than X-ray to take pictures of the body.
• Nuclear Medicine – a branch or specialty of medicine and medical imaging that uses radionuclides (drugs or medicines that contain very small doses of radioactivity) to study the structure and functions of the body. Specific types of nuclear medicine scan include:
  
  • Bone scan
  • Direct isotope cystogram
  • DMSA scan
  • DMSA scan with direct isotope cystogram
  • Gall bladder (HIDA) scan
  • Labelled white cell scan
  • Lung (VQ) scan
  • MAG3 scan
  • Meckles scan
  • MIBG scan
  • Perchlorate discharge scan
  • SPECT scan investigation
  • Thyroid and parathyroid scan
• DEXA Scanning– a body scan to check bone density.

• Fluoroscopy - an imaging technique that uses X-rays to obtain real- time moving images of the internal structures of the body. Specific types of fluoroscopy scans include:

  • Fistulogram and sinogram

  • Gastrostomy meal scan

  • Intravenous urogram

  • Linogram studies

  • Loopogram studies

  • Micturating cystourethrogram

  • Nephrostogram

  • Sialogram

• Ultrasound – a scan which uses sound waves to take pictures of the body.

• Interventional Radiology – a sub-specialty of radiology in which minimally invasive procedures are performed using X-rays and ultrasound as guidance, usually under general anaesthetic. These procedures are done either to help to make a diagnosis or to treat a patient’s condition.

• Cardiac Angiography – a specialised X-ray study, performed under general anaesthetic, to find out detailed information about the arteries of the heart and to treat a variety of complex heart conditions.