Radiology

Accredited by the American College of Radiology for computed tomography, MRI and ultrasound, Connecticut Children’s exceeds national standards for quality assurance and safety guidelines.

Our state-of-the-art imaging equipment is appropriate for necessary tests and treatments and our radiologists are well qualified to perform and interpret medical images and administer therapy treatments that use radiation.

Our radiologists use an array of imaging procedures to create a picture of the inside of a pediatric patient’s body, including some that use medical radiation and others that do not. MRI and ultrasound do not use medical radiation and may or may not provide the kind of information needed to assess and diagnose your child’s condition. Other tests that do use radiation, such as a CT scan, can be used to provide a better image of internal conditions to the physician, and are always carried out at the lowest possible dosage, for infants, children and teens.

Bone Density is measured using DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) technology, which evaluates bone mineral density using two low-dose X-ray beams aimed at patients’ bones. DEXA scans are painless and are typically used to determine and track bone strength of the spine, hip and wrist.

Computed Tomography (CT) uses X-ray beams to produce 3D, cross-sectional images of specific areas of the body including the head, abdomen and extremities.

The test might require contrast—a special liquid dye that helps radiologists see the patient’s body better—and/or sedation in order to keep the child completely still. Depending on the part of the body being scanned, the contrast may be given by mouth or through a needle placed in a vein in the hand, arm or foot.

Patients lay very still on a narrow bed that moves slowly into a tube, which scans the body painlessly.

Fluoroscopy uses a continuous X-ray beam to obtain a sequence of images of the structures inside the body which are projected on a monitor to show real-time organ motion.

Before fluoroscopy scans, patients are given a liquid contrast material, which helps make the images clearer. This technique is helpful for visualizing parts of the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, including the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, rectum, kidneys, ureter, bladder and urethra.

Connecticut Children’s offers VCUG, barium enema, UGI, esophagram, PICC insertion and other types of fluoroscopy.

Interventional radiology uses images to help guide minimally invasive procedures for diagnostic or treatment purposes. The images enable interventional radiologists to locate disease and navigate to it using tiny instruments.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a very strong magnet and radio waves to take a series of detailed images that provide multidimensional views of soft tissues of the extremities, body, brain and spine.

MRI is a painless, noninvasive test that does not use radiation.

Ultrasounds use sound waves to form images of the inside of the body. The ultrasound transducer is placed directly onto the skin, and sends sound waves that bounce off organs to make an image on the screen.

Ultrasound is best used when more information is needed about soft tissue organs such as the kidney, bladder, liver, spleen, pancreas, gallbladder, uterus, and ovaries. This test may also be used on infants to check for dislocated hip joints or to see the brain of a newborn.

X-ray (radiography) sends low levels of radiation through the tissues and bones to provide images of the inside of the body.

After every imaging procedure, a pediatric radiologist will review the images and then discuss the results with patients and families, who may then request a copy of the image.

Images are available electronically to Connecticut Children’s referring providers and upon request to community pediatricians and other primary care physicians. Reports are sent to all referring providers.