Radiology Services
The department provides a 24 hour, seven day a week imaging service. The following specialist areas are available:
- Primary Imaging, chest abdominal & muscular-skeletal imaging
- Ultrasound
- CT
- PET/CT
- Interventional/ Fluoroscopy/Vascular/Neuro
- MRI
- Nuclear Medicine
- Breast Imaging
- Cardiology
Primary Imaging
Digital radiographs (or plain film X-rays) are acquired in the main x-ray department .The Accident and Emergency department has its own dedicated x-ray rooms which also service the Acute Medical Unit (AMAU). CUH is electronically linked to the Mercy Hospital, Bantry, Mallow General Hospital and Tralee General Hospital.
Ultrasound
Both inpatient and outpatient ultrasound examinations are performed within the main department, maternity hospital and breast unit. These include general and specialist examinations such as musculoskeletal, breast imaging or vascular investigations and some interventional procedures which are best performed with ultrasound guidance.
The ultrasound suite is beside the main department on the ground floor and ultrasound guided interventional procedures are performed within the main department in a separate location.
CT
General CT imaging for inpatients and outpatients and emergency patients are performed on two CT scanners within the main department. The CT department also performs specialist investigations including CT colonography and cardiac CT.
PET-CT
PET-CT is a rapidly expanding service provided at the CUH site through a partnership with the private sector (Alliance Medical). It is situation behind the A/E department with its own entrance and reception. Access to this very advanced technology is facilitated through multidisciplinary teams, with reading of the scans performed by specialist consultant radiologists.
PET/CT is crucial in the Management of cancer patients as it allows more accurate diagnoses and staging of certain cancers.
MRI
Alliance Medical runs the MRI department in partnership with CUH. There is one 1.5T MRI scanner and one 3T scanner on the first floor over the PET department. Access for outpatients is via the lifts beside the A/E department in the main concourse. In-patients have direct access from the main hospital. MRI image a wide range of body areas, including routine musculoskeletal and neurological imaging as well as advanced liver, abdominal, head and neck and breast and cardiac imaging.
Fluoroscopy, Neuro/Vascular Intervention& Diagnostics
Interventional procedures performed under x-ray guidance include vascular diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. We provide services such as Biliary drainages Venous catherisation , IVC Filters, abdominal & peripheral angiograms, Urological procedures, barium studies of the GIT tract and gynaecological investigations .Specialised neurological cases are performed in the Neuro suite, Cerebral Angiography, Coiling of aneurysms, Carotid stenting , embolisation of AVM, S, and nerve root injections.
Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine services are provided in the main Department the range of investigations offered includes all of the common radionuclide studies, Bone Scans , Lung perfusion scans , lymph node mapping and a number of specialist studies. This Department is due to be renovated this year with one to two SPECT Scanners in the new refurbished service.
PACS
The PACS (Picture Archive Communication System) is operational since June 2008 which includes a new Radiology Information System (RIS) and a Voice Recognition System (VR). These systems allow for a fully film-less environment and provide referring physicians with direct access to images and reports.
Electronic Ordering is available throughout the hospital campus.
Enquiries regarding requests for the importation or exportation of radiology images, from outside the Cork University Hospital Group, should be made via telephone to the digitisation office on +353 21 4920294.
Access to Services
We provide 24hr emergency cover through the A/E Department. A GP referral service is available through the main x-ray reception, an
appointment will be sent out to you.
How safe are x-rays?
The risks associated with medical x-rays are frequently exaggerated. It is estimated that the chances of contracting cancer as a result of an x-ray of the chest, for example, are similar to the risks of contracting cancer by inhaling the smoke of one cigarette - about one in a million. If you are worried about any treatment or scans you may be having, speak again to your GP or the hospital staff. They can refer to your medical records and if they know of your concerns they will always make time to explain the examination or treatment in more detail. (www.rcr.ac.uk)
For further information on Radiology examinations please visit the below links: