Types of Scan

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive method of acquiring diagnostic images of the human body. MRI provides computer-generated images of the body's internal tissues and organs.

MRI Scans

Conventional MRI has a tunnel shape. It is designed in this way to accommodate a cylindrical coil of special wire which creates the magnetic field. This wire is cooled to near absolute zero temperature (nearly -270C) which results in zero resistance and superconductivity.

The advantage of this technology is that the magnet strength can be very high and the magnet is very light. The disadvantage is that the magnet cannot, in ordinary circumstances, be turned off, it produces a lot of noise and it requires the patient to lie within a narrow tube.

Open MRI scanners have been developed for people who are anxious or obese or for examination of small parts of the body, such as the extremities (knee, shoulder).

Instead of lying in a narrow tunnel, the imaging table has more space around the body. Open MRI scanners can also image patients in different positions, which can avoid the need for exploratory surgery.

Visit the Open MRI page for more details

CT Scans

CT (sometimes referred to as CAT) stands for Computed Axial Tomography. CT scanning was invented in the 1970's but has advanced greatly since then and it is now a standard imaging technique worldwide.

CT uses special x-ray equipment to obtain information about the body that is then processed by a computer into detailed multi-dimensional images or slices. These demonstrate soft tissues such as muscle, liver and lung as well as bone and blood vessels.

In fact, unlike any other imaging techniques, CT can show all the different types of tissues in the body at the same time.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is the latest technology of oncological and neurological scanning, providing superior image quality of metabolic activity in the shortest possible time.

PET Scans

It can not only show anatomical structures of the body, but also how it works (functional images). This technology allows doctors to detect cancer earlier and to diagnose whether the disease has spread.

It can also diagnose Alzheimer’s disease at a stage, when it can be still controlled by medication. In addition it can perform enhanced cardiological investigations.

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Nuclear imaging

In nuclear medicine the patient is given a small amount of radioactive substance - a radionuclide combined with a carrier or other pharmaceutical - which can be either taken orally or injected.

The radiation emitted by this is then monitored by cameras as it passes through the body and can be used to detect blockages, tumours, infection and monitor organ function.

The range of uses is very wide including bone scans, heart and lung studies, thyroid or kidney imaging, functioning of the gastro-intestinal tract, detecting blockages in the gall bladder and much more.

In some cases it can detect abnormalities earlier than with other forms of imaging or it may be the only way of providing suitable images and to avoid exploratory surgery.

Nuclear medicine can also be used in a therapeutic function, to deliver short-range radiation to a target area and limit damaging effects to sound tissue and nearby structures

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