Pediatric Radiology
Imaging Tests for Children in East Tennessee
Pediatric radiologists diagnose illnesses, injuries and diseases in newborns,
babies, children and teens using imaging technology including X-rays,
ultrasounds, CT scans, nuclear medicine and MRIs. Our specialists use
specific tests and exams to answer your doctor's questions based on
your child's size, health and other needs. The machines can be scary
or loud for children, so our staff makes your child as comfortable as
possible. They work only with children and are well-trained and experienced
in comforting patients and distracting them during exams.
You will be referred to our pediatric radiologists by your primary care
doctor, a Children's Hospital specialist or another hospital. You
can learn more about imaging procedures we perform below.
Sedation
Sedation is sometimes required for tests that require children to stay
perfectly still for a long amount of time. Because we only treat children, our
sedation team knows how to tailor sedation plans for patients of all ages and sizes.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a safe and painless test that uses
a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of the body's
organs and structures. An MRI does not use radiation.
Your child will lie down on a table that is slid into a large donut-shaped
magnet. During the test, the tunnel picks up the positions of the atoms
in the body and analyzes them. The result is a clear, cross-sectional
image of the body. It can be converted into 3-D pictures of any particular
body part. The pediatric radiologists will read the results and send their
discoveries to your doctor.
MRIs can be used to detect problems with the:
- Brain
- Spine
- Skeleton
- Chest
- Lungs
- Joints
- Eyes
- Heart
- Ears
- Circulatory System
The MRI machine sometimes makes loud knocking and buzzing noises. Help
your child prepare by telling them what will happen and that you will
be nearby during the test.
Fluoroscopy
You may be referred to a pediatric radiologist by your child's
pediatric gastroenterologist for a fluoroscopy. Your child will drink a white liquid called barium.
The radiologist will do an X-ray of the barium moving through the digestive
system. A fluoroscopy can help find the cause of unexplained vomiting,
nausea, stomach pain and indigestion. You will receive specific instructions
before the fluoroscopy is performed. These guidelines depend on your child's
age and will involve him or her not eating for a period of time before the test.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound uses soundwaves instead of radiation to take images of the
inside of the body. Ultrasounds may be ordered to find out more about
bladder, stomach, kidney, head and pelvic problems. The procedure will
take place in a dimly lit room with a large TV screen in it. The radiology
staff member will put lotion on the spot to be imaged, then hold a camera
to that spot. They will move it around and take pictures at each spot.
The procedure is not painful.