The Radiology Department serves as an "image" center for the physicians at Children's Hospital and the many physicians who refer patients to Children's Hospital. Children just like you are seen for many different purposes in this department. Tests such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), CT Scan, Ultrasound, Echocardiogram, Xray and Fluoroscopy are conducted in the Radiology Department.

When you visit the Radiology Department at Children's Hospital, your experience may be different from that of another child in your class or your friend from down the street. Some children may have an MRI scan of their brain to detect problems. Another may have an ultrasound picture taken of the stomach, or maybe a student in your class has broken a bone in his or her leg, and the doctors need to take an Xray.

Radiology Department visits may take 15-20 minutes or several hours, depending on the specific patient and the need for the tests. Many things may be required by the staff in the Radiology Department before you come in for your test. Some radiology tests require patients not to eat for up to 12 hours before they come for their appointment. Some patients must drink large amounts of water, while others may have to take home a special drink to help highlight the bowel or organs under the scanner. And sometimes a nurse might insert an IV to give medicine to help a patient sleep through the test or to insert contrast (a type of dye) into veins to highlight the veins and arteries.

If you are coming to Children's Hospital to have an MRI scan, you may want to visit the MRI Virtual Visit.

CT Scan: If you come to Children's Hospital for a CT scan, it will be much like someone who visits the hospital for an MRI. The CT scanner is a machine that takes pictures of the organs inside your body. If you have sinus trouble, hit your head on the jungle gym on the playground, or have appendicitis, the radiographic technologist may do a CT scan to detect all of the problems in your body. The machine does not touch you during the time your body is being photographed, but you must lie very still while those pictures are being taken. Many times you cannot eat before your picture is taken. You may have a drink (called contrast) that includes dye to outline the parts of your body that the pictures scan. Sometimes the nurse will put a stick in your arm to give you medicine that will make you sleep while the pictures are being taken. The exam may only take 15 minutes or it may take longer. You may also need two exams during the same visit. The CT Scan shows the physical characteristics of the body by looking at its structure, form and function.

Ultrasound: The ultrasound consists of a pen-shaped instrument that runs over the outside of the body and takes pictures of the organs in your body. An ultrasound technologist will place some gel on the part of your body that will be photographed and will run the "pen" over that area. This test does not hurt you, but the area may be sore to the touch and may be tender when the "pen" is run over the area. If you are having an ultrasound picture taken of your pelvic area, kidneys or bladder, the radiologists will ask you to drink lots of water before you come to the hospital. This will make it easier for the radiologist to view the area. This test is for a radiologist to see different areas that cannot be seen with just the normal eye. Many times, patients cannot eat before this test, and bubbles from carbonated drinks may show up on the test and cause difficulties on the screen, so no soft drinks are allowed before your ultrasound test! Once the test is complete, the radiologist will report on your ultrasound test to your physician.

Echocardiogram: This is a special ultrasound machine just for the heart. The ultrasound technologist will first place a gel on your chest and run the instrument over your chest with your heart just underneath. The images will help your doctor measure the chambers of your heart. The screen on this machine is in color.

Nuclear medicine study: This is a test of the function, size or shape of different organs in your body. A liquid will be given to you before this test. The medicine will be given to you in a drink, through an IV tube or through a special tube called a catheter that goes into your bladder. The liquid will travel through your body, and a camera will take pictures of it. These studies may be necessary to test your body for renal (kidney) function, reflux or other gastric problems.

Fluoroscopy: This test can best be described as a "motion picture" Xray. It is an Xray that looks at the "real-time" pictures of the body as it actually is functioning. Under the category of fluoroscopy there are several tests that include "real-time" pictures.

Your parents, grandparents or guardians are always invited and encouraged to sit with you during any test you have in the Radiology Department, except exams requiring general anesthesia. It is always best for the adult to stay calm for better cooperation of the child. If your parents are brave, it will be much easier for you to be brave, too. Scans may take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. The time depends on the area of the body being scanned, the preparation time, the scan time, the child's cooperation and stillness, and the recovery time (if sedation is necessary). It typically takes 24 hours to get results back to your physician after your test is run.