The purpose of X-ray examinations is, among other things, to look for or evaluating bone fractures, wear and tear or other bone changes, look for or evaluating changes in the lungs, heart size, etc.

Preparation

There is usually no special preparation for X-ray examinations. Depending on what is being inspected, one may need to remove clothing and/or jewelry.

Implementation and duration

A radiologist performs the examination. The number of images taken depends on what is being studied. The duration of research is 5 – 15 min.

Children

Parents may accompany their children to the imaging session and may need to help the children to stay still while the x-rays are taken. Those accompanying the children must wear lead aprons to protect themselves from unnecessary radiation.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is not advisable for pregnant women to undergo an X-ray examination except in consultation with a doctor. If pregnancy is suspected, the radiologist must be informed before the examination is carried out. Every effort is made to find another research method if possible. X-ray examination does not affect breastfeeding.

Magnetic resonance imaging is suitable for examining the body's musculoskeletal system, e.g. on ligaments and tendons, cartilage and tendons. This technique is also widely used to study the spine, brain and abdominal organs.

Preparation

Most MRI examinations do not require special preparation. In general, however, it applies to abdominal examinations that individuals must be fasting before the examination. Medicines should be taken as usual. Painkillers should be taken if needed because it can be challenging to lie still for 20-40 minutes. Information about preparation for research is given on an information sheet that is sent to individuals and when making an appointment if needed. The list of questions that comes with the information sheet must be filled in and brought to the study.

Clothing and accessories

Before examination, all accessories must be removed, e.g. watches, jewellery, hair clips and hearing aids. One also has to take off clothes, with the exception of underwear, and put on special hospital clothes. This is done to ensure that no magnetically conductive metal enters the transducer chamber.

Implementation and duration

A radiologist performs the examination. To extract the signal from the body, coils are placed near or around the image area.

Earplugs/headphones

Due to the noise during the examination, it is recommended that the person uses earplugs or headphones. The duration of an MRI examination is generally 20 - 60 minutes.

Shading material

In certain cases, a contrast material must be given intravenously, which can provide more detailed information. The contrast material used in MRI examinations is called Gadolinium. If the person has a known allergy to it, it is important to inform staff in advance so that measures can be taken.

Children

Children who have an appointment for an MRI examination are welcome to come and see the MRI machine a few days before the examination. Please contact the imaging department at 463-0254 to confirm a visit time.

• If parents have to accompany their children into the examination room, they must answer a list of questions like the children and remove all metal from themselves.

• In some cases, children need to be anesthetized so that they can have an MRI, and this is done in collaboration with the Department of Pediatrics and Anesthesiology.

Pregnancy - breastfeeding

In the case of pregnancy, an MRI is not performed except in exceptional cases. Study does not affect breastfeeding

Confinement

A sense of entrapment is recognized in MRI studies. Radiologists can help alleviate these symptoms. In some cases, sedatives must be given. It is important that the person informs about it in advance so that arrangements can be made.

A CT scan can provide detailed information about the condition of organs and blood vessels. The research method is also well suited for further mapping of violations.

Preparation

Most CT scans do not require special preparation. In general, however, for abdominal examinations, individuals must drink 1 liter of water before the examination. Information on preparation for research will be provided when making an appointment if needed.

Clothing and accessories

Metal must be removed from the area to be investigated.

Implementation and duration

A radiologist performs the examination and its duration varies depending on what is being examined or from 10 min - 40 min.

Shading material

In most cases, a contrast agent is given intravenously during the examination. Is it done to get a better differentiation of the internal organs as well as to check if there will be a charge in the tissues of the body that can give information about their nature. If the person has a known contrast allergy, it is important to let us know in advance so that measures can be taken. Please call +354 463-0254.

Children

The CT scan can seem intimidating, so it's important to prepare children well before they arrive. It is good to explain to them the purpose and that they must lie completely still on the laboratory bench. Parents may stay with their children during the study, but not pregnant women.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If pregnancy is suspected, a CT scan is not performed except in emergency cases. Breastfeeding can be continued as usual after the scan.

Bone densitometry is done to measure bone strength and thus see if there are signs of osteoporosis.

Preparation

No special preparation, but metal must be removed from the image area before starting the measurement.

Implementation and duration

A radiologist performs the examination. The subject lies on a bench while a probe moves over certain areas of the body and measures bone density. The test takes 10-20 min.

Children

It is extremely rare for children to have a bone mineral density test.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is extremely important that women of childbearing age inform the radiologist if there is a possibility of pregnancy. If pregnancy is suspected, the examination is postponed.

During visibility studies it is possible to observe the appearance/function/movement of organs, flow in blood vessels and locate the injection site.

Preparation

Preparation varies depending on what is being investigated. For some studies you need to fast for several hours, for some there is no special preparation, and for some studies you have to go through a cleansing. The person concerned receives information at the time of appointment if preparation is needed.

• The subject may be required to remove clothing and jewelry prior to examination.

Implementation and duration

An imaging physician or radiologist performs most of the tests. A speech pathologist performs swallowing tests and a gynecologist performs a fallopian tube examination (HSG). The duration of research is 10-60 min.

Children

Parents may accompany their children during imaging (although not pregnant women) and may need to help the children remain still during the examination. Those accompanying the children must wear lead aprons to protect themselves from unnecessary radiation.

Shading material

During ophthalmoscopy, a contrast material is usually given. It is either drunk, injected into a vein or injected into certain tubes that have been placed in the body. If the person has a known contrast allergy, it is important to inform in advance so that measures can be taken.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is not advisable for pregnant women to undergo an X-ray examination except in consultation with a doctor. If pregnancy is suspected, the radiologist must be informed before the examination is carried out. Every effort is made to find another research method if possible. X-ray examination does not affect breastfeeding.

Resonance is usually well suited for studies of abdominal organs, tendons, skin or muscle masses, thyroid, testicles and blood vessels.

Preparation

During examinations of the abdominal organs and the aorta, you must fast for 6 hours (children for 4 hours). Fasting includes not ingesting food or drink and also not using chewing gum or smoking/vaping.

• When examining the pelvic organs, the bladder must be full. You need to drink plenty of water before the test.

Implementation and duration

An imaging specialist performs the examination. Most ultrasounds take 15 – 20 minutes but individual studies take longer.

Children

Parents may accompany their children to the study and may need to help the children lie still.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Ultrasound examinations do not affect pregnancy or breastfeeding.