Radiology Services at The Children’s Hospital
The Mae Boettcher Center for Pediatric Imaging at The Children’s Hospital is recognized for their expertise in imaging and evaluating a broad spectrum of childhood diseases and conditions use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment with special pediatric features. The Radiology team at The Children’s Hospital has special equipment designed just for children, making tests more comfortable for kids and also producing more accurate information for our specialists. The Radiology team at The Children’s Hospital consists of board-certified and fellowship-trained pediatric radiologists. Our team works with kids, and only kids, every day. This means they are comfortable dealing with kids and making them feel safe in the test environment. When necessary, conscious sedation is frequently substituted for general anesthesia depending on patient age and type of procedure.
Conditions Treated
Imaging services are performed for all childhood diseases or conditions, including:
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Chest and respiratory conditions
- Gastrointestinal conditions
- Neonatal conditions
- Neurological conditions
- Oncology conditions
- Orthopedic conditions
- Skeletal conditions
- Traumatic injury
- Urologic conditions
Imaging Technologies Provided at The Children’s Hospital
Radiography and X-rays
Ultrasound
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI is particularly useful in evaluating neurologic, orthopedic and oncologic disorders. The technology's unprecedented image accuracy can mean the early detection and treatment of many diseases. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) allows for non-invasive visualization of veins and arteries without intravenous contrast administration. Maximum patient comfort and security including:
- Noise cancelling technology and music to help children relax
- Two-way audio system so child and clinician can communicate throughout the exam
- Constant closed-circuit TV supervision for complete patient safety
Computerized Tomography (CT or CAT Scan)
A CT, or CAT, scan enables specialists at The Children’s Hospital to look at ‘slices’ of a patient’s body. The use of contrast agents, administered through an IV, can be used, depending on the tissues that need to be seen. High-speed, high-resolution technology with spiral scan capability permits an entire abdominal exam to be performed in less than 10 minutes. Fluoroscopic CT with real time imaging is used for CT guided intervention. Scanning and programmable sub-second imaging can eliminate the need for sedation with most children.
Board certified cardiologists perform echocardiograms for diagnostic and treatment purposes in children with primary or secondary heart problems. The Children’s Hospital specializes in cardiac ultrasound, fetal ECHO, intraoperative ECHO, intravascular ECHO and transesophageal ECHO.
Nuclear Imaging (SPECT)
As a component of radiology services, nuclear imaging uses the area's only ADAC Dual Head Vertex camera which provides SPECT/3D in high-resolution and whole body imaging offering physicians improved opportunities for diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as tumor localization, growth or reduction in size. This provides 3D information and can be presented as cross-sectional slices through the patient.
Fluoroscopy
Fluoroscopy is mainly used to view movement (of tissue or a contrast agent), or to guide a medical intervention, such as angioplasty, pacemaker insertion, or orthopedic repair.
Interventional Radiology
The ability of flouroscopy, ultrasound, and computed tomography to visualize the internal structures of the body has naturally led to the use of these imaging modalities to guide precise placement of needles and catheters. These procedures are performed through very small skin incisions and can frequently prevent or simplify subsequent surgery. At The Children’s Hospital, we provide a biplane, digital angiography suite with special features for pediatric patients. Fluoroscopic computed tomography provides real-time cross-sectional imaging guidance. Our technologists and nurses are experienced in the performance of interventional procedures on the pediatric population. Interventional Radiology is used to perform many procedures, including:
- Diagnostic angiography
- Transcatheter vascular embolization
- Balloon angioplasty
- Tissue biopsy
- Central venous lines and ports
- Gastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy
- Foreign body retrieval
- Abscess drainage
- Thoracentesis
- Paracentesis
- Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography
- Nephrostomy
