Non-Invasive
Radiography is the initial point in the diagnosis of various clinical cases. The advantage of this method is the easy availability, non-invasiveness, low costs, safety, speed of performance, results in a short time.
Our RTG department is fully digitized, with minimal radiation.
The following diagnoses are performed in our hospital:
- Native radiography of the skeleton
- Native radiography of the lungs
- Native radiography of the abdomen
- Native radiography of the urinary tract
- Intravenous urography for visualization of the excretory system of the urinary tract
Computed imaging is a modern, non-invasive, precise diagnostic procedure that uses ionizing radiation, which provides detailed images of different regions of the human body. It is used for the analysis and diagnostics of injuries and/or diseases of the brain, the musculoskeletal system, the breast and abdominal cavity with their internal organs, the pelvis and its organs, as well as analysis and diagnostics of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
In our hospital we have 256-slice computed tomography device from the company Phillips with approximately 50% less radiation. The preparation for CT scanning requires the patient’s minimum effort. It is best to perform it 4 hours after starvation, while for some abdominal examinations you will be given a drink of iodine substance before the test is performed. An intravenous contrast may be compulsory for some tests in order to display more detailed parts of a certain tissue and blood vessels. If necessary, blood results will also need to be obtained in order to determine how well your kidneys function and whether it is safe to continue scanning.
The preparation and scanning process lasts maximum 30 minutes. If your scan requires injection of a contrast or your procedure is interventional then you might stay in the radiology department up to 90 minutes.
The following CT examinations and CT guided interventions are performed in our institution:
- CT coronarography
- CT graphtography
- CT of the heart (diseases and congenital anomalies)
- CT of the aorta
- CT angiography of the carotid and cerebral arteries
- CT of peripheral arteries
- CT venography (large veins)
- CT of the skull and brain
- CT of the thorax
- CT of the abdomen and the pelvis
- CT of the skeleton in patients with polytrauma and/or tumors
- CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy)
- CT guided biopsies
- CT – PRT periradicular therapy
Magnetic resonance is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure that does not use ionizing radiation, instead it uses a powerful magnetic field and radio frequency waves, thereby providing detailed images of different regions of the human body. It is used for the analysis and diagnosis of diseases of the brain, the musculoskeletal system, breast and abdominal cavity with their internal organs, the pelvis and its organs, the breasts and analysis and diagnostics of the cardiovascular system.
The following MR examinations are performed in our institution:
- MR of the brain
- MR of the entire spine (cervical, thoracic and lumbar)
- MR of the wrists (sports injuries)
- MR of the upper abdomen
- ERCP – cholangiopancreatography (gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreatic duct)
- MR enterography (small intestine)
- MR of the pelvis
- MR of the uterus
- MR of the rectum
- MRI of the prostate
- MR angiography (MRA) of cerebral and peripheral arteries
- MR of breasts
- MR spectroscopy
- MR tracking of nerve pathways
- MR of the heart
Our Philips Ingenia 1.5T MRI scanner contributes for better comfort of the patient, in accordance with the following characteristics: shorter tunnel and a larger opening of 70cm. Ambient lighting for a more relaxed experience. Given the strong magnetic field generated by the MR scanner, there are several contraindications for the MR examination. It is very important to inform the staff from the MR department before the scan is performed, if you are pregnant, or you have an implanted pacemaker of the heart, an implant, metal parts or a shrapnel wound on your body from any period of your life. Before the imaging, you will receive a safety questionnaire that you should fill in. The purpose is to help you validate the scanning reliability. The radiological technologist is ready to answer any question you may have and to explain the entire procedure.
The preparation for MR is minimal. In some cases, you may be given a drink of a sugar component before starting the examination procedure. An intravenous contrast may be compulsory for some examinations in order to display more detailed parts of a certain tissue and blood vessels. If necessary, blood test results will need to be obtained and reviewed in order to determine how well your kidneys function and whether it is safe to continue scanning. Once we are assured that you are safe for scanning, you will be asked to remove the watch or any jewelry, dentures or hearing aids if you have any. The female patients will also be asked to remove hair accessories, if they have any. You may be asked to wear a gown. If you do not want to wear a gown, please wear clothes without zippers, buttons, straps or buckles. The MR scanning is usually completed in 30-60 minutes, depending on the part of the body that is being scanned. You will be asked to lie down first with your head or your feet on the bed, depending on the part of your body that is being scanned. Then, a part of the equipment will be placed on the body that is the focus of work.
This part of the equipment can not hurt you or harm you because it receives the signal from the part where the image is produced. The scanner is controlled by a computer located outside the MR room. The radiologic technologist monitors you through a glass panel and can communicate with you through an intercom. When the scanner is running, it makes a strong noise that varies during the scanning, so you will be given headphones to annul the noise. To make sure that the recordings are clean, it is important that you stay calm during the scan. Before the imaging begins, you will be given a bell that you should hold in your hand, if you need to call the radiologic technologist during the imaging. After the MR scan, no side effects are observed, so after the imaging you can eat and drink normally.
Virtual colonoscopy is a computer-generated 3D post-processing technique that produces endoluminal images from the inside of the colon, of excellent quality, to help identify even the smallest lumps, polyps or other tumor formations that originate from the mucosa of the large intestine. The examination is performed in such a way that a rectal catheter is used for insufflating only air in the tube and then it is scanned. Before the examination, the patient should be prepared in such a way that 3 days prior to the examination he/she is on a diet (more detailed information is available at the info counter), and the day before the examination, a laxative is taken in order to empty the intestine completely so that no false positive results are obtained. The examination itself takes several minutes and it is non-invasive and quite convenient for the patients.
Virtual bronchoscopy is a computer-generated 3D post-processing technique that produces endoluminal images from the inside of the tracheobronchial stem with an excellent quality, which helps detect even the smallest lumps, polyps or other tumor formations that originate from the mucous membrane of the airways.
No preparations are required before the examination, and the examination itself is non-invasive, it lasts only a few seconds, it is performed in one breath (inspirium) and it is quite convenient for the patients.
Introduction:
Ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive diagnostic procedure that provides pictures from the internal parts of the body by using sound waves. It includes the use of a small converter (probe) and an ultrasound gel that is applied directly to the skin. High-frequency sound waves are transmitted from the probe through the gel in the body. The probe collects sounds that jump backwards and then a computer uses these sound waves to create a picture. During ultrasound examinations, ionizing radiation (as used in x-rays) is not used, namely there is no exposure to radiation for the patient. Breast ultrasound. Primarily it is used to help diagnose breast lumps or other abnormalities your doctor may have discovered during a physical examination, mammogram, or magnetic resonance of the chest.
Preparation
For women in the reproductive period, the optimal period is from the seventh to the tenth day of your cycle. For this procedure a small preparation of the body is required. The probe collects sounds that jump backwards and then a computer uses these sound waves in order to create a picture. During ultrasound examinations, ionizing radiation (as used in x-rays) is not used, namely there is no exposure to radiation for the patient.
During the examination
Ultrasound examinations are painless and most patients easily tolerate them. You will lie on the back on the examination table and you may be asked to raise your hand over your head. You may also be asked to change the positions during the examination. The professional who is working with the sonograph will apply a warm water based gel to the part of the body being studied. The probe is applied to the body and it moves backwards and forwards through the part of interest of the examination, until the desired images are obtained. Usually there is no discomfort due to pressure because the probe is pressing against the part being examined. However, if a scan is performed over a soft part, you may feel pressure or less pain from the probe. Wear comfortable clothes. Once the imaging is completed, the translucent ultrasound gel will be wiped from your skin. The ultrasound gel does not stain or bleach the clothes. Ultrasound of the chest is usually performed in 30 minutes.
After the examination
Once the examination is completed, you may be asked to put on your clothes and wait until the ultrasound images are examined. After an ultrasound examination, you should be able to return to your normal activities immediately.