Radiology - Diagnostics for your health

The Institute of Radiology at Bethesda Hospital covers the entire spectrum of medical radiology.

This includes the following procedures:

• Conventional X-ray diagnostics incl. contrast medium examination of the gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract.
• Mammography (incl. all complex biopsy and labelling procedures)
• Ultrasound
• Computed tomography (CT)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRT)

We offer this range of services around the clock throughout the year.

In a conventional X-ray examination, a specific region of the body is visualised using X-rays. Contrast agents are also used for some examinations. X-ray examinations are often used for suspected bone fractures and to assess the heart and lungs.

For examinations of the gastrointestinal tract or the kidneys and urinary tract, a so-called contrast agent is used, which is either drunk or injected into the vein. As a rule, these contrast media have no side effects. If you have any known contrast agent intolerances or allergies, please inform us before the examination begins. If you have any further questions, the radiology team will be happy to help you before, during and after the examination.

We offer the following X-ray diagnostics:

• the entire spectrum of conventional X-ray examinations
  (thorax, skeleton, fluoroscopy)
  
• conventional contrast medium examinations
  • of the gastrointestinal tract (swallowing process, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine)
  • the urogenital system (kidneys and urinary tract)
  • special contrast medium examinations (e.g. fistula visualisation)
  • all joint visualisations (so-called arthrographies, also in combination with MRI or CT)
  • Hysterosalpingography HSG (visualisation of the fallopian tubes, e.g. for fertility problems)
  • Myelography (visualisation of the spinal canal)

Ultrasound examinations are used to diagnose and monitor the progress of diseases in many areas of the body. Ultrasound does not cause any radiation exposure and is therefore particularly suitable for examining pregnant women or children.

• Abdomen and pelvis
• Mammary gland/mamma (possibly in combination with mammography)
• Neck/thyroid gland
• Soft tissue and joints
• Vessels (including Doppler and duplex)
• sonographically assisted biopsies, punctures and drainages

We use various procedures to examine and diagnose changes in the breast. In addition to X-ray examinations (mammography), ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are also used. The removal of small tissue samples for microscopic examination is known as a biopsy.

• Digital mammography including tomography (tomosynthesis)
• Sonography (ultrasound)
• MR mammography
• Stereotactic mammary biopsy and wire labelling

State-of-the-art digital X-ray technology in our institutes means that the radiation exposure for the patient is kept to a low level - so you can feel that you are in good hands with us.

It is best to bring images from previous examinations (CD, films, etc.) with you. These will be of great help in assessing the new images. If you have had a previous examination with us, we have digitally archived the previous imaging for you in-house (PACS).

Computed tomography (CT) is a special X-ray examination that uses X-rays to produce images of the body. These are so-called cross-sectional images, i.e. the body is virtually divided into the finest layers, allowing a view of the inside of the body. This provides important information about the location of centres of disease. We have a modern multi-line CT scanner at our disposal, which operates in accordance with the latest findings in radiation protection and minimises radiation exposure as far as possible.

Clarification of risk factors before the examination

An iodine-containing contrast agent is administered for most computerised tomography examinations. If you have any known intolerances or allergies to contrast media, please inform us before the examination begins.

Our range of CT services covers all regions of the body:

• Brain/skull incl. CT angiography (circulatory disorders)
• Base of the skull and temporal bones (inner ear and middle ear)
• Facial skull (paranasal sinuses)
• Neck incl. CT angiography of the cervical arteries
• Thorax, abdomen and pelvis
• CT angiography (vascularisation of all parts of the body)
• Spine incl. CT myelography
• Extremities and joints
• CT-controlled joint and spinal infiltrations
• CT-guided biopsies, punctures and drainages

The radiology team will inform you in detail about the procedure before the start of the examination and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), also known as magnetic resonance imaging, uses magnetic fields and radio waves to visualise organs and tissue. In contrast to computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging does not involve exposure to X-rays.

Our range of services includes the examination of the following body regions:

• Brain including MR angiography and diffusion imaging and other specialised techniques
• Skull base, facial skull and neck
• Spine incl. MR myelography and spinal cord
• Extremities and joints
• Liver and bile ducts (MRCP)
• Urogenital system incl. kidneys/urinary tract and specifically the prostate
• Abdominal and pelvic organs incl. pelvic measurements before birth in pregnant women and dynamic pelvic floor examinations (MR faecography)
• MR mammography
• Special examinations of fistulas and ducts

Important

Due to the strong magnetic field, all removable metal objects must be removed before entering the examination room. Patients with pacemakers or defibrillators are not permitted to enter the examination room and may only be examined after detailed cardiological clarification.

A contrast agent is often injected into a vein in the arm before the MRI examination to increase the diagnostic value. These contrast agents are very well tolerated and only in extremely rare cases do they have undesirable side effects. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the radiology team.

During interventional diagnostic examinations or therapeutic procedures, fine instruments are guided to the site of the disease under radiological or sonographic control. These micro-invasive, gentle procedures are monitored by ultrasound, computer tomography or X-ray fluoroscopy.

Our range of services includes interventional procedures using the following methods:

• sonographically guided punctures, wire insertions and drainages
• CT-guided punctures of centres of disease for the removal of tissue samples (biopsy) and for the targeted insertion of drains and leads
• stereotactic biopsies and punctures including vacuum biopsies of the female breast
• minimally invasive pain therapies on the spine and other joints

Accurate and prompt diagnosis is the basis for any successful treatment. Our modern radiological examination methods are fast, precise and safe. All our devices combine state-of-the-art diagnostics with maximum comfort for our patients. During all examinations, we accompany you as a contact person at eye level and always have an open ear for your uncertainties.

The Radiology Clinic at Bethesda Hospital is a diagnostic interface both internally and externally: we work closely with our referring doctors and involve them transparently in this exchange. We are also in constant dialogue with the treating clinics within the hospital and thus create a high level of specialist networking for efficient therapy and treatment.

In our radiology department, you will find state-of-the-art examination equipment and examination procedures tailored to your needs so that you feel well looked after at all times. Our state-of-the-art infrastructure minimises radiation exposure and makes the imaging process as gentle as possible for you.