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What is Radiology? Radiological procedures are used for looking at the internal structures of the body, whether bone or soft tissue. Usually these examinations are carried out to:How Safe is Radiology?
Some forms of radiology use sound waves, some use x-rays and some use magnetic fields. Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radioactive material injected into the body to help with patient diagnosis.
The sound waves (ultrasound) and the magnetic fields (MRI scan), as far as we know, have no harmful side effects. X-rays and Nuclear Medicine use what is known as ionising radiation. Large single ionising radiation doses that are much greater than those used in medical diagnosis, are known to carry a risk of causing cancer. At the radiation dose levels used in medicine it is unclear what, if any increase in cancer risk exists. We are obliged by law to make sure we only use ionising radiation when we think the potential benefits to you are greater than the risks. We carefully select the lowest dose procedure to provide you and your doctor with the diagnostic information needed to best manage your health. If you wish to find out more about the radiation risks of different radiology procedures please click here.
Services provided Breast imaging (mammogram with tomography, breast ultrasound, MRI)Special pictures of the inside of the breast are taken to check for any problems. It can include mammograms, tomosynthesis (3D mammograms), ultrasounds, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Breast screen (mammogram)A mammogram is a special type of x-ray used only for the breast. Mammography can be used either to look for very early breast cancer in women without breast symptoms (screening) or to examine women who do have breast symptoms (diagnostic).
What to expect?
You will need to undress from the waist up. One of your breasts will be positioned between two plastic plates which will flatten the breast slightly. Most women find that this is a bit uncomfortable, but not painful. Generally two x-rays are taken of each breast. It is also useful to compare the results with earlier examinations and you should take any previous mammography results with you.
Computed tomography (CT)With CT you can differentiate many more things than with a normal X-ray. A CT image is created by using an X-ray beam, which is sent through the body from different angles, and by using a complicated mathematical process the computer of the CT is able to produce an image. This allows cross-sectional images of the body without cutting it open. The CT is used to view all body structures but especially soft tissue such as body organs (heart, lungs, liver etc.).
What to expect?
You will have all metal objects removed from your body. You will lie down on a narrow padded moveable table that will be slid into the scanner, through a circular opening.
You will feel nothing while the scan is in progress, but some people can feel slightly claustrophobic or closed in, whilst inside the scanner. You will be asked to remain still and hold your breath on command. There are staff present, but they will not necessarily remain in the room, but will speak with you via an intercom system and will be viewing the procedure constantly through a windowed control room, from where they will run the scanner.
Some procedures will require Contrast Medium. Contrast medium is a substance that makes the image of the CT or MRI clearer. Contrast medium can be given by mouth, rectally, or by injection into the bloodstream.v
The scan time will vary depending on the type of examination required, but as a rule it will take around 30 minutes.
CT calcium scoreA special type of CT scan that looks at the amount of calcium in the heart's arteries. Read more about CT calcium score on the Healthify website.
CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy)A special type of CT scan that looks at the inside of the large intestine (colon) to check for growths or other problems, without needing a camera inside the body.
FluoroscopyA type of imaging that uses continuous X-rays to show how parts of the body work in real time.
Image guided injectionsInjections given with the help of imaging techniques like CT scans or ultrasounds. The imaging helps the doctor deliver the injection of medication to exactly where it is needed in the body.
Interventional radiologyDoctors use imaging (like X-rays, ultrasound CT or MRI) to guide small instruments inside the body to treat problems without needing to do major surgery.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) An MRI machine does not work like an X-ray or CT as it does not use any form of ionising radiation. Instead it uses a combination of magnetic fields and radio waves. It can create exact images of internal organs and body structures. However, a typical MRI scan takes considerably longer to perform than either an x-ray or a CT scan. What to expect? You will have all metal objects removed from your body. You will lie down on a narrow padded moveable table that will be slid into the scanner through a circular opening. You will feel nothing while the scan is in progress, but some people can feel slightly claustrophobic or closed in, whilst inside the scanner. You will be asked to remain still and hold your breath on command. There are staff present, but they will not necessarily remain in the room, but will speak with you via an intercom system and will be viewing the procedure constantly through a windowed control room, from where they will run the scanner. Some procedures will require Contrast medium. Contrast medium is a substance that makes the image of the CT or MRI clearer. Contrast can be given by mouth, rectally or by injection into the bloodstream. The scan time will vary depending on the type of examination required, but as a rule it will take around 30 minutes.
ADHB Radiology MRI from Fiona Dorrell on Vimeo.
PET/ CT scanA combination of two types of scans: PET (Positron Emission Tomography) and CT (Computed Tomography). The PET scan shows how organs and tissues are working, while the CT scan shows detailed pictures of their structure. Together, they help doctors diagnose and monitor diseases like cancer.
Radionuclide scanning This is a specialised scanning method using low-level radioactive isotopes, injected into the bloodstream. The scanner is called a gamma camera and is used to measure the radiation levels given off from the isotopes. Some types of this scan are used for the following: assessment of thyroid function, location of tumours and possible spread, checking of bone fractures, assessing damage to the heart after coronary episodes. UltrasoundIn ultrasound, a beam of sound at a very high frequency (that cannot be heard) is sent into the body from a small vibrating crystal in a hand-held scanner head. When the beam meets a surface between tissues of different density, echoes of the sound beam are sent back into the scanner head. The time between sending the sound and receiving the echo back is fed into a computer, which in turn creates an image that is projected on a television screen. Ultrasound is a very safe type of imaging; this is why it is so widely used during pregnancy.
Doppler ultrasound
A Doppler study is a noninvasive test that can be used to evaluate blood flow by bouncing high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) off red blood cells. The Doppler Effect is a change in the frequency of sound waves caused by moving objects. A Doppler study can estimate how fast blood flows by measuring the rate of change in its pitch (frequency). A Doppler study can help diagnose bloody clots, heart and leg valve problems and blocked or narrowed arteries.
What to expect?
After lying down, the area to be examined will be exposed. Generally a contact gel will be used between the scanner head and skin. The scanner head is then pressed against your skin and moved around and over the area to be examined. At the same time the internal images will appear onto a screen.
Women’s imagingWomen’s imaging covers the use of imaging procedures that specifically apply to women and can help in the diagnosis and care of diseases such as cancer of the breast, uterus, and ovaries.
X-rayAn X-ray is a high frequency, high energy wave form. It cannot be seen with the naked eye, but can be picked up on photographic film. Although you may think of an X-ray as a picture of bones, a trained observer can also see air spaces, like the lungs (which look black) and fluid (which looks white, but not as white as bones).
What to expect?
You will have all metal objects removed from your body. You will be asked to remain still in a specific position and hold your breath on command. There are staff present, but they will not necessarily remain in the room, but will speak with you via an intercom system and will be viewing the procedure constantly through a windowed control room.
The examination time will vary depending on the type of procedure required, but as a rule it will take around 30 minutes.
HoursThe best times to visit are 07:30-09:30 and 14:30-16:30 as these are the least busy hours at GCC.
Greenlane Clinical Centre
Street address
214 Green Lane West
Epsom
Auckland 1051
Postal address
Private Bag 92 189 Auckland Mail Centre Auckland 1142
Phone: (09) 367 0000
Starship Child Health, Central Auckland
Street address
2 Park Road
Grafton
Auckland 1023
Postal address
Starship Child Health Private Bag 92 024 Auckland Mail Centre Auckland 1142 New Zealand
Phone: (09) 307 4949
Auckland City Hospital
Street address
2 Park Road
Grafton
Auckland 1023
Postal address
Private Bag 92 024 Auckland Mail Centre Auckland 1142
Phone: (09) 367 0000
The information on this page has been provided by healthpoint.co.nz, helping people better understand and use New Zealand health services.
