Imaging at Royal Brompton Hospital

This non-invasive test involves exposing an area to a small dose of radiation to create pictures of the inside of a patient's body, which helps us to identify a specific condition a patient may have. 

We can also perform full body X-ray scans. 

A special machine uses X-rays to create a series of detailed pictures the body taken from different angles. These three-dimensional pictures help us to identify lung conditions such as infections, tumours, and airway diseases. They also identify heart conditions, such as coronary artery and aortic disease. 

For some CT scans, a special material called a contrast dye is used to make the area of the body being studied easier to see.

A special CT scan that may be used as a screening tool for patients that have a higher chance of developing lung cancer. This scan uses a lower dose of radiation and takes a series of pictures to show a patients lung in more detail. 

Ultrasound scans are used to examine blood vessels and solid organs, such as the liver, thyroid and kidneys. It is a safe and painless procedure produce that takes pictures of inside of a patient's body using high-frequency sound waves.

The sound waves are transmitted through a transducer, or probe, that is placed directly on the skin over the area that needs to be imaged. 

This non-invasive scan takes pictures of the food tube (oesophagus), stomach and bowel of a patient. The scan uses a lower dose of radiation to the exposed area on the body. 

This non-invasive scan uses radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer to create more detailed pictures of areas inside the body. It helps us to determine if there is any damage in a specific area of a patient, for example a heart condition. 

It is important you stay still, even if you need to hold your breath at specific times, while we take a series of pictures through the scan. An MRI may take more time to perform than other imaging techniques, and some people ― particularly children or people with anxiety or a fear of enclosed spaces ― may find it difficult to lie still during imaging. 

Metal and electronic objects can interfere with the magnetic field of the MRI unit. It is important for you to tell our staff if you have medical, electronic devices or other metal objects in your body.

Interventional radiology involves minimally invasive techniques using needles and catheters, and provides an alternative to surgery for some patients.

We use interventional radiology techniques to:

• place venous access devices
• perform biopsies of the lungs or other organs
• deliver heat directly to tumours (ablation)
• block abnormal blood vessels (embolization).

Imaging techniques including CT, ultrasound, and fluoroscopy help guide these procedures so your doctor can pinpoint the exact area of treatment, minimizing the effect on nearby tissues.

A bone density scan allows us to see how dense (or strong) your bones are, and can identify the risk of osteoporosis (a condition that can weaken the bones) in a patient. The scan uses low dose X-rays and is also known as a DEXA scan.