Ultrasound and X-ray
X-ray and ultrasound clinic
Diagnostic Centre is equipped with modern equipment for X-ray and ultrasound diagnostics.
Our ultrasound and X-ray examinations
Ultrasound clinic
Ultrasound machine emits special sound waves which bounce from your internal organs and produce an image on the screen of the machine. The applied technology is similar to the sonar technology used by the Marines in detecting an enemy or schools of fish. The frequency of the sound waves is high above the human hearing range, which gave the name of to the technology of ultrasound.
This investigation nicely shows the abdominal organs (liver, gallbladder, pancreas, as well as the large blood vessels of the abdomen, spleen, kidneys, and internal reproductive system in females, or prostate gland and testes in males). The hollow organs, for example stomach and intestines, cannot be seen very well.
It is a safe and harmless examination for the patient. It is performed quickly, painlessly and requires little preparation. 2-3 days prior to the examination it is desirable to consume only food that does not cause bloating and leaves little remains in the intestines. WE perform the examination on an empty stomach, which means that you do not eat in the morning, but drink plenty of fluids so that your bladder will be full. You can take all the usual medications.
Ultrasound often complements a specialist examination in an important way. By collaborating with a competent specialist, we also perform ultrasound-guided punch biopsies of abdominal organs and transrectal punch biopsy of the prostate.
The ultrasound clinic provides:
- Ultrasound of the urinary tract, female reproductive organs, prostate and testes
- Testicular ultrasound and transrectal ultrasound of the prostate as part of a urological examination
- Ultrasound of the female reproductive organs and vaginal ultrasound as part of a gynaecological examination
- Thyroid ultrasound as a part of a thyroid examination
- Carotid ultrasound and heart ultrasound as part of cardiological examinations
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Breast ultrasound
- Neck soft tissue ultrasound (thyroid, lymph nodes, pancreas)
- Soft tissue ultrasound (muscles, abdominal wall, groin, armpits)
- Joint ultrasound (shoulder, elbow, knee)
- Ultrasound-guided shoulder puncture
X-ray clinic
X- ray examination of the digestive tract is not a substitute but a useful complementary examination to the endoscopic procedures, especially to visualize those parts of the digestive system which cannot be examined by endoscope.
In the X-ray examination of the digestive tract we use a milky drink which contains barium. Barium is not absorbed from the intestines into the body, rather it passes through the digestive tract and is eventually excreted naturally. Since barium absorbs X-rays, it leaves an image on the X-ray screen or film, and from multiple sequential images we obtain a film projection of the digestive system in one plane. It provides useful information about the position of the examined organ, possible abnormal growths, strictures or flow obstructions.
In this way, we are able to perform X-ray imaging of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum in only about 15 to 20 minutes.
Preoperative fasting is required for both examinations, 1 day before the examination you should ingest only light or liquid food.
After the exam it is advisable to increase your fluid intake (we recommend water) to facilitate the discharge of barium contrast, which thickens the consistency of stool. However, you can resume your normal activities immediately. Please, attend the examination dressed in loose, comfortable clothes that are easy to take off and put on. We also kindly request that you leave the jewellery at home.
Native and contrast X-ray exams of the urinary tract (X-ray with contrast is intended to show the urinary tract, detect the causes of recurrent urinary tract infections, determine the presence of blood in the urine and kidney stone attacks)
Invasive diagnostic examinations of the bile ducts and pancreas – ERCP in collaboration with gastroenterologists.
As self-pay services, the X-ray clinic performs:
- standard X-ray examinations of the skeleton and joints, in agreement with an orthopaedist
- X-ray of the chest organs,
- X-rays of the digestive tract with barium contrast,
- X-rays of the digestive system
General instructions before an x-ray and ultrasound examination
X-ray examinations require special equipment, a radiographer with higher professional education and a specialist radiologist. X-ray imaging is carried out by a qualified radiographer following the instructions by the radiologist or a specialist doctor of another discipline. Upon completion of the examination, films are developed and the radiologist provides an expert opinion.
In the case of X-ray examinations, potential adverse or harmful effects should also be considered. The doctor who referred you to the exam, estimated that the benefit of the information obtained will be greater than the potential damage. During the X-ray exam you will be exposed to a certain amount of radiation, the doses of which are generally small and safe, as they are being monitored and measured by modern equipment. However, for greater safety please note the following:
1. X-ray examination is contraindicated in a woman who is pregnant or believes she might be pregnant; in the case of doubt, inform the doctor or radiographer before the start of the investigation.
There is a golden rule applied for all women in their child-bearing years, that they can undergo an X-ray only during the first 10 days from the first day of their last period.
2. If you are allergic to iodine contrast agents, or if you are in general prone to rashes and allergic reactions to different substances, you must notify us about this before the examination during which a iodine contrast is injected into the venous circulatory system.
The patient must undergo the X-ray and ultrasound examinations on an empty stomach. To ensure clear visuals of the urinary tract, prostate and female reproductive system, it is necessary that the bladder is filled with water. For 2 days prior to a urinary tract X-ray exam or the abdominal ultrasound it is also desirable that you only ingest foods which do not cause bloating, that you maintain regular bowel movement, and drink non-carbonated beverages.