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What is a cerebral perfusion study? A cerebral perfusion study is a nuclear medicine scan that looks at brain function by demonstrating the amount of blood taken up by the brain cells. Other tests such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show what the skull, brain and blood vessels look like but a nuclear medicine cerebral perfusion study can…
What is a paediatric renal ultrasound? A paediatric renal ultrasound is an examination of the kidneys and bladder with an ultrasound machine, which uses sound waves to form images of different organs within your child’s body. The sound waves cannot be heard by the human ear and cannot be felt by the child having the ultrasound study. Renal ultrasound studies are…
What is an intracranial (brain) aneurysm? An intracranial (brain) aneurysm is an abnormal ballooning of the wall of an artery, which is a type of blood vessel carrying blood to the brain. The aneurysm is like a small sac and is localised, meaning it is limited to a small area, within the artery. In the brain, these vessels carry blood to the brain at high pressure compared to…
What is embolisation of head, neck and spinal tumours? Head, neck and spinal tumours (or growths) can occur on the coverings of the brain called meninges as well as anywhere in the head or neck region. These tumours can also occur in the back bone (spinal column). Structures inside the spinal column such as nerves can also give rise to tumours. Often these tumours contain…
What is an angioplasty and stent insertion? Angioplasty and stent insertion is used to treat narrowing in an artery. Angioplasty uses a small, sausage-shaped balloon to stretch the artery open and improve blood flow. The stent is a small, metal cylinder that acts like a small scaffold to hold the artery permanently open. Angioplasty is the name of the procedure carried…
What is a whole body MIBI myeloma scan? A whole body MIBI myeloma scan is a nuclear medicine scan which involves the injection of a radioactive material or radioactive tracer called technetium-99m-Sestamibi, or MIBI for short. MIBI is injected into a vein, usually on the front of your arm near the level of your elbow or on the back of your hand, and is taken up by any myeloma…
What is a pleural aspiration? A pleural aspiration is a procedure where a small needle or tube is inserted into the space between the lung and chest wall to remove fluid that has accumulated around the lung. This space is called the pleural space. Pleural aspiration is usually carried out to determine why there is fluid around the lung (diagnostic procedure) or to improve…
What is an ascitic tap? An ascitic tap is a medical procedure where a needle is used to drain fluid that is trapped in an internal body cavity, most commonly the abdomen (belly). Fluid may have to be drained from the abdomen for different reasons, such as if the fluid is stretching the abdomen and causing pain; if the fluid is infected; or if a doctor needs to analyse the fluid…
What is an image guided liver biopsy? Image guided liver biopsy is a procedure where liver cells are obtained by a needle inserted directly into the liver through the abdominal wall, in the stomach area, and examined. The reason for requesting this test is that your referring doctor seeks an assessment of the liver tissue to look for any abnormality or disease that may be…
What are vascular closure devices? A vascular closure device is usually a piece of collagen (a fibrous protein found in skin, bone and connective tissue), metallic clip or suture (stitch) designed to provide immediate sealing of the small puncture made in an artery after an angiogram. Angiography is the imaging of blood vessels that appear on live X-ray images or pictures.…
What is venous access? In radiology, venous access generally refers to central venous access, which is the insertion of a specially made thin, flexible tube, known as a catheter, into a central vein. The central veins are the large veins within the chest and abdomen. With a catheter in place, treatments such as chemotherapy or antibiotics can be given through the catheter…
What is radiofrequency ablation? Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure carried out to remove diseased tissue or a tumour (a lump) from the body. It is one type of what is called tumour ablation (or removal). Tumour ablation is where a needle is placed directly into a tumour so that a chemical (usually alcohol or acetic acid) or thermal (heat or...
What is an image guided lumbar epidural corticosteroid injection? The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae. Between each vertebra is a ‘disc’ that allows the spine to be flexible. The epidural space separates the bony spinal canal (the space in the vertebrae through which the fluid filled sac containing the spinal cord passes) from the fluid-filled tube or sac.…
What is a lumbar nerve root sleeve injection? The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae. Between each vertebra is a ‘disc’ that allows the spine to be flexible. In between adjacent vertebrae, there is an opening on each side called a ‘foramen’, through which a nerve exits on its way to the buttock or leg. The nerve is...
What is an image guided facet joint corticosteroid injection? The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae. At the front of the spine is solid bone, and at the back there is a bony canal, or channel. The solid bone is separated from the next bone by a disc. One vertebra is connected to the next vertebra at the...
What is a children’s (paediatric) barium meal? A paediatric barium meal is a study to examine a child’s stomach and small intestine (or bowel). It is sometimes carried out with a barium ‘swallow’, to show the oesophagus (the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach), or with a barium ‘follow through’, to show the small intestine. Barium (a chalky substance)…
What is a children’s (paediatric) hip ultrasound for developmental dysplasia of the hip? A paediatric hip ultrasound is an examination of a child’s hip joints with an ultrasound machine, which uses sound waves to form images or pictures of the hip joint. These sound waves cannot be heard by the human ear and cannot be felt by the child having the ultrasound. Developmental…
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 micturating cysto-urethrogram? A micturating cysto-urethrogram (or MCU) is a study using X-rays that shows the bladder and urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder and out of the body) while passing urine (see children's X-ray examination). The test is performed to find out if the urine goes from the bladder back up to the kidneys...
What is a DMSA scan? DMSA, or dimercaptosuccinic acid, is a radioactive compound (radiopharmaceutical) that when injected into a vein allows images or pictures to be taken of the kidneys. DMSA enters the kidneys and is concentrated in functioning/normal kidney tissue, giving an indication as to how the kidneys are working. It does not provide information as to the internal...
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