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What is the nuchal translucency? Nuchal translucency is the name for the normal fluid space behind the neck of a foetus (unborn baby) that can be seen on ultrasound scans. What is a nuchal translucency scan? A nuchal translucency scan (also called first trimester of pregnancy screening) is carried out during weeks 11–13 of a pregnancy. The scan uses ultrasound to screen…
What is a cardiac MRI? Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a high-strength magnet and radio waves to scan the body and produce images or pictures. MRI does not use ionising radiation, which is required for many other types of imaging, and is not known to have any long-term harmful effects. Cardiac MRI is imaging relating to the heart and how it is working. Most people are…
What is a dual energy CT scan? Standard computed tomography (CT) scanners use normal X-rays to make cross-sectional ‘slice-like’ pictures or images of the body. A dual energy CT scanner is fairly new technology that uses both the normal X-ray and also a second less powerful X-ray to make the images. This gives dual energy CT additional advantages over standard CT for…
What is chorionic villous sampling? Chorionic villous sampling (CVS) is offered from week 11 of pregnancy to women who are at a high risk of their foetus (unborn baby) being born with Down syndrome, or other chromosomal or inherited conditions. CVS also confirms the sex of the foetus, which can be important in identifying X-chromosome (female) linked inherited conditions.…
What is a carpal tunnel ultrasound and injection? The carpal tunnel is located in the wrist, and is formed by the bones of the wrist and the transverse carpal (wrist) ligament. Through this tunnel pass the median nerve, flexor tendons (which help you to curl your fingers) and tendon sheaths (the coverings of the tendons). Carpal tunnel syndrome (also known as median nerve…
What is carotid stenting? Carotid stenting is when a small, expandable, thin wire device (called a stent) is placed into one of the main arteries that carries blood to the front part of the brain (carotid artery), as it has become partially blocked with abnormal thickening of the artery wall called ‘plaque’. If the supply of blood to the brain is reduced, it can cause…
What is a bone mineral density scan? A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan (DXA), or bone density scan, is a special type of X-ray that measures bone mineral density (BMD). It provides information about bone strength or fragility and the risk of fractures or broken bones. The higher the density, generally, the lower the risk of fracture. The spine and one or both hips…
What is a biliary drainage? Biliary drainage is the insertion of a tube into the bile duct. This is most commonly carried out when the bile ducts are blocked.The bile ducts normally allow bile (a green-brown fluid that is produced by the liver to help with the digestion of fats) to drain from the liver to the small intestine. When the bile ducts are blocked, bile cannot leave…
What is a nuclear medicine (NM) cardiac stress test? A nuclear medicine (NM) cardiac stress test assesses the blood supply to the heart and provides information about how the heart is working. Images (or pictures) are taken of the heart while at rest and after the heart is stressed. The stress is in the form of exercise on a treadmill or exercise bike, or if this is not possible,…
What is a PET scan? PET stands for “positron emission tomography”. It is a nuclear medicine imaging test in which a small amount of liquid radioactive material is injected into your body and is used to diagnose a variety of diseases, including many types of cancers, heart disease and other diseases. The radioactive substance most commonly used in PET scanning is a simple…
What is saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS)? Saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS) or saline ultrasound uterine scan is a test where a small volume of saline (salt solution) is inserted into the uterus (or womb). This allows the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to be clearly seen on an ultrasound scan. It is also known as a saline ultrasound uterine scan. “Ultrasound”…
What is a Nuclear Medicine VQ Scan? A ventilation–perfusion (VQ) scan is a nuclear medicine scan that uses radioactive material (radiopharmaceutical) to examine airflow (ventilation) and blood flow (perfusion) in the lungs. The aim of the scan is to look for evidence of any blood clot in the lungs, called pulmonary embolism (PE). A VQ scan is carried out in two parts.…
What is a coronary artery calcium scoring? A coronary artery calcium score is a measurement of the amount of calcium in the walls of the arteries that supply the heart muscle. It is measured by taking a special computed tomography (CT) scan of the heart. The scan shows the amount of hardening of the artery wall (the disease that causes this hardening is called atherosclerosis).…
A nuclear medicine renal scan is used to assess blood flow, function and drainage of the kidneys. The radiopharmaceutical is then injected into a vein and enters the kidneys. The radioactive component of the radiopharmaceutical emits gamma rays, which allows us to take pictures of your kidney using gamma cameras. The scan involves a small amount of radiation exposure,…
What is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)? Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a scanning procedure that uses strong magnets and radiofrequency pulses to generate signals from the body. These signals are detected by a radio antenna and processed by a computer to create images (or pictures) of the inside of your body. The MRI scanner is generally shaped like a large, covered…
What is a bursal injection? A bursa is a soft tissue space between two structures, such as bone, muscle, tendon and skin, which allows the structures to slide over one another. Soft tissue, such as muscle, fat and skin, connects and surrounds the bones and internal organs of the body. The most commonly injected bursas are around the shoulder (subacromial bursa) and hip (trochanteric…
What is an 18-20 week screening pregnancy ultrasound? An 18–20 week pregnancy screening ultrasound is part of the routine care during pregnancy. Screening is carried out at this stage in the pregnancy because the foetus (unborn baby) is big enough for its body structure and development to be assessed. It also provides additional information such as; the number of foetuses,…
What is an arthrogram? An arthrogram is an X-ray image or picture of the inside of a joint (e.g. shoulder, knee, wrist, ankle) after a contrast medium (sometimes referred to as a contrast agent or “dye”) is injected into the joint. An arthrogram provides a clear image of the soft tissue in the joint (e.g. ligaments and cartilage) so that a more accurate diagnosis about…
What is Iodine-containing contrast medium? Iodine-containing contrast medium (ICCM), sometimes called contrast or contrast medium, is a chemical substance used in medical X-ray imaging. When injected into the body, ICCM shows what is happening inside the hollow parts of the body (like blood vessels, the stomach, bowel or even the fluid around the spinal cord) on X-ray…
What is a bone scan? A nuclear medicine bone scan shows the effects of injury or disease (such as cancer) or infection on the bones. A nuclear medicine bone scan also shows whether there has been any improvement or deterioration in a bone abnormality after treatment. A radioactive material (radiopharmaceutical) is injected into a vein, attaches to the bones and is detected…
What is a transvaginal ultrasound? Transvaginal ultrasound is an examination of the female pelvis. It helps to see if there is any abnormality in the uterus (womb), cervix (the neck of the womb), endometrium (lining of the womb), fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder or the pelvic cavity. It looks at the pelvic organs from inside the vagina using a special smooth, thin, handheld…
What is an ultrasound? Ultrasound is the term used for high-frequency soundwaves. Ultrasound examinations use these sound waves to produce a picture or image onto a screen showing the inside of your body. An ultrasound is carried out by a trained health professional (sonographer, radiologist or sonologist) using a smooth, hand-held device called a transducer that…
What is gadolinium contrast medium? Gadolinium contrast media (sometimes called a MRI contrast media, agents or ‘dyes’) are chemical substances used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. When injected into the body, gadolinium contrast medium enhances and improves the quality of the MRI images (or pictures). This allows the radiologist (a specialist doctor…
Interventional neuroradiology is a subspecialty of clinical radiology which involves using medical imaging tests in diagnosing and treating diseases of the central nervous system, head, neck and spine. Interventional neuroradiologists use cutting edge imaging and guidance techniques to guide catheters (very fine plastic tubes) and other tiny instruments around…
Health professional informationMusculoskeletal imaging is a subspecialty of diagnostic radiology which involves ordering and interpreting medical images of bones, joints and associated soft tissues and diagnosing injuries and disease. Musculoskeletal imaging radiologists use: ● X-rays/plain radiography; ● Fluoroscopy (a continuous X-ray that creates moving images of the functioning…
Health professional informationEmergency radiology is a subspecialty of diagnostic radiology. Emergency diagnostic radiologists are an integral part of a hospital’s emergency team and are directly involved in helping diagnose trauma patients. Emergency radiologists use a range of imaging techniques to diagnose: Body trauma Heart and lung (thoracic) trauma and conditions Injuries…
Health professional informationCardiac imaging is a subspecialty of diagnostic radiology. A cardiac radiologist supervises or performs and then interprets medical images to diagnose diseases of the heart such as heart disease, leaky heart valves and defects in the size and shape of the heart. A cardiac radiologist uses imaging techniques such as X-rays, ultrasound (echocardiograms), CT (computed…
Health professional informationBreast imaging is a subspecialty of diagnostic radiology. It involves a range of imaging procedures. Screening mammography is used to detect breast cancer via a low-dose X-ray before any symptoms are evident. This allows for early treatment and intervention. In Australia free breast screening is available to women aged 50-74 every two years. Diagnostic mammography…
Health professional informationAbdominal imaging is a subspecialty of diagnostic radiology which involves imaging the abdomen and pelvis, including the genitals, urinary organs and gastrointestinal tract, to diagnose and plan treatment for disease. Abdominal imaging radiologists use imaging to diagnose diseases of the: liver, bladder and kidneys prostate and uterus pancreas colon gallbladder…
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