Radiology Department

Our radiology department offers the following:  

Plain film
Our state of the art x-ray equipment use modern techniques with very small doses, approximately 20 milliroentgens per single exposure.We cover the whole spectrum of ordinary x-rays which include chest, abdomen and the extremities. For safety reasons women should always inform their doctor or radiographer (x-ray technologist) if there is any possibility they may be pregnant.

Ultrasound
Common studies done at Zuid-Afrikaans include abdominal imaging, evaluation of the breasts and other soft tissue regions such as the thyroid and scrotum. We also perform musculosceletal ultrasound procedures, for the specialized imaging of muscles, joints and ligaments. Doppler ultrasound techniques allow flow imaging and facilitate evaluation of the heart and blood vessels. The real-time nature of ultrasound also facilitates visually guided biopsies and other minimally-invasive procedures.

Best results may require the patient to prepare for the examination. Generally, abdominal scans require that the patient not eat or drink for as many as 12 hours prior to their appointment. Pelvic exams require a full bladder.

Fluoroscopy
Fluoroscopy is used for evaluation of the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT), small intestine, or colon, as part of barium swallow, meal follow through or enema. Oral barium contrast is generally employed to outline the cavities of the pharynx/esophagus, stomach or small intestine as part of a barium swallow, meal or follow-through procedured performed in our screening department.

Bone Densitometry
Bone densitometry measures bone mineral density (BMD) for evaluation of osteoporosis.

CT Scanning
Our highly specialised multislice CT can perform angiography, 3D image reconstruction, and “fly-through” virtual-imaging. We also perform whole body routine and emergency scans.

Our in house radiologists are experts in cardiac imaging.
While Cardiac CT is mostly used to evaluate the blood vessels of the heart (CT Coronary Angiography), it can also be employed to evaluate more complex cases including cardiac stent and graft patency, congenital cardiac anomalies, cardiac functional evaluation, cardiac valve evaluation as well as used for risk prediction of coronary artery disease (CT Coronary Calcium score).

MR Scanning
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for stroke and the best modality for the assessment of the neurological system but we also perform vascular, musculosceletal and abdominopelvic imaging.

Metallic objects may be affected causing heating or movement, including heart valves, orthopeadic devices, foreign bodies, pacemakers and surgical vascular clips. The safety of any implantable devices or metallic objects in the body will be assessed prior to the examination – please remember to inform the radiographer about any such items. No ionizing radiation is employed and MRI is considered safe in pregnancy, but nevertheless generally avoided in the first 12 weeks of development.

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