Our Services & Specialties

The Imaging Services department is responsible for the provision of all diagnostic imaging within the hospital. In addition to the plain X-ray, we also provide CT scanning, MRI, Ultrasound, Digital Mammography and Nuclear Medicine (radionuclide scanning) services. All of these methods use different techniques to look at the body, be it the use of sound waves as in Ultrasound or by a strong magnetic field and radio frequency generation as in MRI. Please see the individual links to information regarding these specialist services.

All services are provided by qualified and registered Radiographers or Nuclear Medicine Technologists. All staff are encouraged to participate in a continuing education programme to ensure that the department remains at the forefront of imaging development.

Services available in the Imaging Services department include:

• Angiography (Cardiac, Renal and Peripheral)
  Using a catheter (thin, flexible tube) to introduce liquid dye into blood vessels to increase the visibility of arteries on X-rays.
• CT Scanning
  A special kind of X-ray that sends several beams simultaneously from different angles to gain a far more detailed image than with standard X-rays.
• Nuclear Medicine
  Using traces of radionuclides to provide non-invasive, diagnostic imaging of the body's organs.
• MRI
  Using a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer, detailed images are produced of almost every internal part of the body.
• Ultrasound
  High-frequency sound waves are used to produce dynamic images (sonograms) of organs, tissues or blood flow inside the body.
• Digital Mammography
  X-rays that produce high-quality images of breast tissue.
• Vascular studies
  Used to resolve problems with the vascular system (arteries and veins), such as varicose veins.
• General X-ray procedures
  This is the most common form of imaging technique, and uses penetrating electromagnetic radiation.
• Barium studies
  Used to enable specialists to investigate medical problems in the colon.

Individual Radiologists are available for a range of specialties, including Neurology, Renal and Orthopaedics. Examinations are available, and reported, within 24 hours and often on the same day. The hospital also has 2 OTHER  diagnostic imaging centres, one  in Canary Wharf (E14) and the other as part of the facility at 31 Old Broad St. ( please see links for these sites).

Interventional Radiology

Interventional Radiology (IR) is a clinical modality that makes use of imaging guidance for the performance of minimally invasive treatment. The development of new imaging technologies and interventional devices has greatly increased the number of medical conditions that can now be treated by IR. Promising new treatments in tumour and cancer therapy, the treatment of fibroids, venous access, and spine interventions as well as advances in non-invasive vascular imaging, pharmacological therapies and peripheral arterial and venous interventions are providing exciting opportunities for interventional radiology, attracting significant patient interest and promising tremendous public benefit.

Interventional procedures that are available include:

• Angiography - non-invasive vascular imaging
• Angioplasty - both cardiac and non cardiac
• Aortic Stentgrafts
• Embolisations
• Gastrointestinal Interventions
• Guided biopsy
• Percutaneous biopsy and drainage procedures
• Peripheral Vascular Interventions
• Spine Interventions
• Tumour ablation
• Uterine fibroid embolisation
• Varicoceole embolisation  
• Venous Access

Further Information:
Telephone: 020 7234 2773/ 020 7403 4911
Fax: 020 7403 2185