Imaging Patient Information

Angiogram, angioplasty and stents

There are two types of treatment to open up blocked (‘occluded’) or narrowed (‘stenosed’) arteries without the need for surgical incisions in the skin. 

Barium meal

It is an examination of the oesophagus (food pipe), stomach and the first part of your bowel. Images are taken as you swallow a white liquid (called barium) as it passes into your stomach and small bowel.

Barium swallow

Information about the examination of the oesophagus (food pipe) and the stomach. Images are taken as you swallow a white liquid (called barium) down into your stomach.

Cerebral angiogram

An angiogram is a procedure where blood vessels are examined closely, by means of x-rays. 

Cervical nerve root injection

Inflammation of the cervical nerve roots may cause pain in the neck and/or arm.  A cervical nerve root block may provide some pain relief, but more importantly it may provide diagnostic information for your doctor. 

Colonic Transit Study

It is an examination that evaluates the function of your large bowel (or colon). This study assesses how quickly material moves through your bowel. The procedure is carried out by a specialist radiographer.

Cystogram

Information about an examination of the bladder using X-ray dye to show the structure and shape of the bladder and occasionally the micturating (emptying) of the bladder.

Defecating proctogram

It is an examination of the lower bowel and rectum using x-rays. The images obtained will help us understand what is causing your symptoms.  

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP)

This is a medical examination performed to diagnose and treat disorders of the bile duct, gallbladder, pancreas and liver.

Extravasation guidance

We may need to inject you with a dye, to help with the diagnosis for certain MRI and CT scans. Sometimes this dye can escape from your vein at the place where we inject you. This is known as ‘extravasation’ and can result in a swelling.

Facet joint injections

Inflammation of the facet joints may cause pain in the neck, back and/or the arms and legs. A facet joint injection provides important information for your doctor and may also provide you with some relief of pain.

Gastrostomy

A narrow plastic tube is placed through the skin into your stomach. Once in place, the tube can be used to give you liquid food directly into your stomach to provide nutrition.

General ultrasound - information for patients

Learn more about what a general ultrasound is, what happens during the scan, and other key information for patients.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

An HSG looks at the inside of your uterus (womb) and fallopian tubes. It aims to show whether your uterus is normal and if your fallopian tubes are damaged.

Myelogram

A myelogram is an x-ray examination of the spinal cord and the space surrounding it. 

Nerve root blocks

Nerve roots can become inflamed due to pressure from nearby bone spurs or intervertebral discs. A nerve root block provides important information for your doctor and may also provide you with some relief from pain.

Nephrostomy and ureteric stent insertion

A nephrostomy is a tube that is inserted using ultrasound and x-ray guidance through a small incision in the back to the central part of the kidney where urine collects. 

Nephrostomy tube exchange

Your nephrostomy tube will require changing at regular intervals which can vary from every few weeks to every few months. 

Oesophageal stent insertion

The oesophagus, or gullet, is a hollow, muscular tube which takes food from the mouth down to the stomach. If it becomes blocked, then there will obviously be a problem with swallowing.

Removal of your PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy)

The PEG is held in place inside your stomach by a circular piece of plastic (the internal flange) about the size of a 10 pence coin. Because of this piece of plastic it is not possible to remove your tube by pulling it from the outside.

Rhizolysis

This is a technique that deliberately damages the nerve that supplies the facet joint. These nerves are responsible for transmitting the pain that is caused by the facet joints. 

Skin care advice following radiology procedures

Following specialised X-ray procedures, it is possible that a small patch of skin may have been exposed to radiation for a long period of time.

The rapid access testicular ultrasound clinic

Information about the ultrasound clinic you have been referred to.

Urethrogram / Peri-catheter urethrogram

This is an examination of the tube (urethra) that carries urine from your bladder to the outside of your body. Using X-ray dye, the length of the tube from the bladder to the outside will be demonstrated.

Varicocele embolisation

A varicocele is an abnormality of the veins that take blood away from the testicle. The veins become bigger and more obvious, rather like varicose veins in the leg. Embolisation is a way of blocking these veins. This makes them less obvious and causes the varicocele to disappear without an operation.

Vertebroplasty

Vertebroplasty is used to relieve the pain caused by compression fractures of the spine, which can be caused by osteoporosis, multiple myeloma or less commonly cancer and trauma.

Water Soluble Ileostomy Enema

This is an examination to look at the section of bowel leading to or from your stoma (opening onto the abdominal wall) using X-ray dye. The procedure is carried out by a specialist radiographer.

Imaging Department Contact Centre

If you are unable to attend your appointment please let us know as soon as possible. You can also contact the Imaging Department Contact Centre if you wish to change or discuss your appointment.

Telephone: 0117 4148989

Imaging Patient Information