Pediatric Radiology

• Heart Tests: When Do You Need Them?

  Heart tests can help your doctor find out if you are at risk for a heart problem, if you have a heart problem, and what treatment you need. There are many heart tests. Most are noninvasive, which means that your doctor does not insert a device into your body for the test. Many of the tests provide still or moving...

• Lung Cancer Screening: Low-Dose CT Scan

  Screening tests help your doctor look for a problem before you have symptoms. Lung cancer screening is a way to find some lung cancers early, when a cure is more likely and when cancer is more treatable. If your doctor recommends lung cancer screening, you'll have a low-dose CT scan of your chest once a year. A special...

• Computed Tomography (CT) Angiogram

  A computed tomography angiogram (CT angiogram) is a test that uses X-rays to provide detailed pictures of the heart and the blood vessels that go to the heart, lung, brain, kidneys, head, neck, legs, and arms. This test can show narrowed or blocked areas of a blood vessel. It can also show whether there is a bulge (...

• Learning About Your Child's CT Scan

  Learn what to expect when your child gets a CT scan.

• Learning About Your Child's X-Ray Test

  Learn what to expect when your child gets an X-ray.

• Learning About Your Child's MRI Test

  Learn what to expect when your child gets an MRI.

• Learning About Your CT Scan

  Learn what to expect when you get a CT scan.

• Learning About Your MRI Test

  Learn what to expect when you get an MRI.

• Learning About Your X-Ray Test

  Learn what to expect when you get an X-ray.

• Lung Cancer: Should I Have Screening?

  Guides people who are at high risk for lung cancer through the decision on whether to have an annual low-dose CT screening. Discusses the benefits and risks of having screening and the risk for getting lung cancer. Includes an interactive tool to help you decide.

• Breast Cancer Screening and Dense Breasts: What Are My Options?

  Guides you through breast cancer screening choices if you have dense breasts. Discusses the benefits and risks of choosing more testing after a mammogram, such as ultrasound or MRI. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

• Lung Cancer Screening

  Screening tests help your doctor look for a problem before you have symptoms. This increases your chances of finding the problem early, when it's more treatable. Studies don't show that routine screening for lung cancer is right for most people. But it may help those who have the highest risk for lung cancer—people...

• Imaging Tests for Low Back Pain

  Learn why X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs may not find the cause of your low back pain.

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Should I Get a Screening Test?

  Guides through decision to have screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Includes pros such as finding aneurysms so that they can be treated. Also explains the possible harm that could come if the test leads to risky surgery. Includes interactive tool to help you decide.

• Low Back Pain: Should I Have an MRI?

  Guides through the decision to have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for low back pain. Discusses the problems an MRI can find and why it may not show the source of pain. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Spine

  An MRI is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of the spine. In many cases, an MRI gives different information than an X-ray, an ultrasound, or a CT scan. An MRI also may show problems that can't be seen with other imaging tests. For an MRI, your body is placed inside a...

• Evaluation and Treatment After a First Seizure

  After you have had a seizure, it can be difficult to predict whether you will have more seizures. This makes it hard to decide whether to begin treatment for epilepsy. The first seizure you report may not actually be the first seizure you've had....

• Headaches: Should I Have Imaging Tests to Find Out What's Causing My Headaches?

  Guides you through the decision to have imaging tests to evaluate your headaches. Looks at the types of imaging tests used, including CT scan and MRI. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

• Multiple Sclerosis: MRI Results

  An MRI scan is the best way to locate multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions (also called plaques) in the brain or spinal cord. An MRI scan is abnormal in more than 95% of people recently diagnosed with MS. But abnormal MRI results do not always...

• Abdominal Ultrasound

  An abdominal ultrasound takes pictures of the organs and other structures in your upper belly. It uses sound waves to show images on a screen. Areas that can be checked include the: Abdominal aorta. This large blood vessel passes down the back of the chest and belly. It supplies blood to the lower part of the body...

• Abdominal X-Ray

  An abdominal X-ray is a picture of structures and organs in the belly (abdomen). This includes the stomach, liver, spleen, and large and small intestines. It also includes the diaphragm, which is the muscle that separates the chest and belly areas. Often two X-rays will be taken from different positions. If the test is...

• Chest X-Ray

  A chest X-ray is a picture of the chest that shows your heart, lungs, airway, blood vessels, and lymph nodes. A chest X-ray also shows the bones of your spine and chest, including your breastbone, your ribs, your collarbone, and the upper part of your spine. A chest X-ray is the most common imaging test or X-ray used to...

• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan of the Head and Face

  A computed tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to make pictures of the head and face. During the test, you will lie on a table that is attached to the CT scanner, which is a large doughnut-shaped machine. Your head will be positioned inside the scanner. The CT scanner sends X-rays through the head. Each rotation of the...

• Dental X-Rays

  Explains what dental X-rays are and why they are done. Covers commonly used types of dental X-rays, including bitewing and panoramic X-rays. Includes info on risks. Also covers what results mean.

• Extremity X-Ray

  Describes extremity X-rays, what they are, and why they are done. Provides tips on how to prepare. Also covers risks. Explains normal and abnormal results, as well as what can affect accuracy of tests.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

  Discusses test (also called MRI scan) that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs and structures inside the body. Covers why it is done, how to prepare, and how it is done.

• Skull X-Ray

  A skull X-ray is a series of pictures of the bones of the skull. Skull X-rays have largely been replaced by computed tomography (CT) scans. A skull X-ray may help find head injuries, bone fractures, or abnormal growths or changes in bone structure or size.

• Spinal X-Ray

  Spinal X-rays are pictures of the spine. They may be taken to find injuries or diseases that affect the discs or joints in your spine. These problems may include spinal fractures, infections, dislocations, tumors, bone spurs, or disc disease. Spinal X-rays are also done to check the curve of your spine ( scoliosis) or...

• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan of the Body

  A computed tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of structures inside of the body. During the test, you will lie on a table that is attached to the CT scanner, which is a large doughnut-shaped machine. The CT scanner sends X-rays through the body area being studied. Each rotation of the scanner...

• Pelvic Ultrasound

  Discusses test that uses sound waves to make a picture of organs and structures in the lower belly (pelvis). Covers transabdominal, transrectal, and transvaginal ultrasound. Discusses use to check for different cancers.

• Meniscus Tear: Should I Have a Diagnostic Test (MRI or Arthroscopy)?

  Guides through decision to have a diagnostic test like an MRI or arthroscopy done on a meniscus tear. Describes the two tests. Lists the three types of meniscus tears. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Head

  Discusses test (also called MRI scan) that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of the head. Covers why it is used, including helping to diagnose a stroke or blood vessel problems in the head and looking for tumors or infections.

• Cranial Ultrasound

  Cranial ultrasound uses reflected sound waves to make pictures of the brain and its inner fluid chambers (ventricles). Cerebrospinal fluid flows through these chambers. This test is most commonly done on babies. Cranial ultrasound for babies Cranial ultrasound can only be done on babies before the bones of the skull...

• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan of the Spine

  A CT scan uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of the spine and vertebrae. During the test, you will lie on a table that is attached to the CT scanner, which is a large doughnut-shaped machine. The CT scanner sends X-rays through the body. Each rotation of the scanner takes a second and provides a picture of a thin...

• Facial X-Ray

  A facial X-ray is a series of pictures of the bones in the face. One type of facial X-ray (called a paranasal sinus X-ray series) looks at the air-filled cavities (sinuses) around the nose and eyes. A facial X-ray helps find bone fractures, tumors, foreign objects, infections, and abnormal growths or changes in bone...

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Abdomen

  Discusses test (also called MRI scan) that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs and structures inside the belly. Covers why it is done, how to prepare, and how it is done. Discusses results.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Shoulder

  Discusses test (also called MRI scan) that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of the shoulder. Covers why it is done, such as checking for unexplained shoulder pain or torn tendons. Discusses results.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Knee

  Discusses test (also called MRI scan) that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of the knee. Covers why it is used, including to find problems like arthritis, meniscus injury, or damaged cartilage, ligaments, or tendons.

• Breast Cancer Screening

  Experts agree that mammograms are the best screening test for people at average risk of breast cancer. But they don't all agree on the age at which screening should start. And they don't agree on whether it's better to be screened every year or every two years. Here are some of the recommendations from experts...

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Breast

  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio waves to make pictures of the breast. It does not use X-rays. MRI may show problems in the breast that can't be seen on a mammogram, ultrasound, or CT scan. The MRI makes pictures that show your breast's normal structure; tissue damage or...

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening

  Abdominal aortic aneurysms can be found during an ultrasound screening test. Screening tests help your doctor look for a certain disease or condition before any symptoms appear. Not all doctors agree on who should be screened for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Talk to your doctor about whether the benefits of screening...

• Testicular Ultrasound

  A testicular ultrasound (sonogram) is a test that uses reflected sound waves to show a picture of the testicles and scrotum. The test can show the long, tightly coiled tube that lies behind each testicle and collects sperm (epididymis). And it can show the tube ( vas deferens) that connects the testicles to the prostate...