An Ultrasound is a common, painless and safe diagnostic tool. The Ultrasound machine uses high-frequency sound waves to develop images, in real-time, of what’s going on inside the body.

While many people associate ultrasound with pregnancy, it is actually a technology that can help diagnose many other medical conditions. Ultrasound scans are used to detect problems in the liver, heart, kidney or the abdomen. An ultrasound may also be useful in helping the surgeon when carrying out some types of biopsies

At Saint James Hospital Group we offer the following types of ultrasounds:

Some mothers-to-be sometimes find 2D Scans disappointing as they are grey and blurry. This type of scan sees right through your baby, focusing on his or her internal organs.

On the other hand, 3D ultrasound scans are still pictures of your baby in three dimensions. In this type of scan, you will see the shape of your baby and some of his/her features, such as the mouth and nose. 4D scans are moving 3D images of your baby, with time being the fourth dimension

When can 4D ultrasound be performed?

The 4D Ultrasound can be performed between 26 and 30 weeks of pregnancy. This type of scan allows a good view of the baby’s face, with the possibility of going home with some pictures and videos to take home to show the rest of the family

The scan also allows the review of the baby’s organs however at times some of the structures are not easily seen. 4D is dependent on the position your baby is in, either profile or full face, and the amount of fluid in front of the face – the more fluid the better the scan images are.

Cardiac ultrasound, also known as echocardiography, concerns the ultrasound imaging of the heart. It is an effective long-established technology for heart imaging that is used for the heart along with CT and MRI scans. It is ideal to evaluate the function and efficiency of your cardiac output
You may benefit from this if you’ve experienced unexplained chest or upper arm pain, a heart murmur, a heart attack, a heart defect, and/or a history of heart disease, though there are many possible reasons that your doctor may want to evaluate your heart health.

An MRI scan is a radiology technique that uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to produce images of body structures. The image and resolution produced by MRI are quite detailed and can detect tiny changes of structures within the body. For some procedures, contrast agents (dye) are used to increase the accuracy of the images.

An MRI scan can be used as an extremely accurate method of disease detection throughout the body. Often, surgery can be deferred or more accurately directed after knowing the results of an MRI scan. Neurosurgeons may opt for an MRI to evaluate the integrity of a patient’s spinal cord after trauma.

It is also used when considering problems associated with the vertebrae or intervertebral discs of the spine.

The MRI scanning process is painless and does not involve x-ray radiation. The whole procedure will take 15-40 minutes. There are no after-effects from the scan and can return to your normal activities as soon as it is over. The pictures from the scan are studied by a radiologist who will send a report to the doctor who requested the scan. Patients with heart pacemakers or any type of metal implants cannot be scanned with MRI

A computed tomography (CT) scan is a painless imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. CT scanning can identify normal and abnormal structures and be used to guide procedures.

A CT scan can be used to study all parts of one’s body, such as the chest, belly, pelvis, or an arm or leg. It can take pictures of body organs, such as the liver, pancreas, intestines, kidneys, bladder camera, adrenal glands, lungs, and heart. It also can study blood vessels, bones, and the spinal cord.

How does it work?

The x-ray machine scans the body in a spiral path. This allows more images to be made in a shorter time than with older CT methods

A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly on the x-ray

How long does it take?

The test will take about 30 to 60 minutes – depending on the area being scanned. Most of this time is spent preparing for the scan – the actual scan will only take a few seconds.

Fluoroscopy is also available at Saint James Hospital Group. During a Fluoroscopy, a steady beam of X-rays will look at movement within the body and will allow the doctor to see your organs move.

PET/CT stands for Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography. It is a special and unique technique that combines two different imaging modalities into one scan. This is the first PET/CT scanner on the islands and will allow for better management, treatment and follow-up of numerous patients who up till now had to travel abroad.

What are its uses?

PET/CT scanning now plays a pivotal role in the imaging of tumours and spread of disease, in particular, staging of cancer before treatment, restaging of cancer during and after therapy, in surgery and radiotherapy planning, and in follow-up of numerous illnesses.

The greatest advantage of the PET/CT is that the biochemical and metabolic information cannot be obtained by any other imaging modality

How long does it take?

The CT part scan takes approximately 30 seconds. The PET scan usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. The patient should plan to be at the facility for around 1½ to 2 hours as some time for preparation is needed

Is it safe?

PET/CT The procedure is non-invasive, painless and is very rarely associated with significant discomfort or side-effects. The examination poses no significant health risks and patients may resume normal activities after the scan. PET/CT is mostly performed on an outpatient basis. Women who are pregnant will not be able to undertake the PET/CT scan.