Radiology

A CT scanner uses x-rays to produce images of any part of the body. A CT scan takes detailed pictures of the inside of your body. It is usually used to diagnose conditions or check how well treatment is working.

You might be asked to do a few things before your CT scan such as:

• Avoiding food or drink 
• Avoiding taking certain medicines
• Not to wear anything that has metal in it such as jewellery, clothes with zips or poppers, bras or hair clips

The CT scanner looks like a large ring with a bed in front of it. There is an x-ray tube inside the ring.

During a CT scan you will be asked to lie on the bed which moves slowly through the large ring. It is comfortable and is not enclosed. 

The x-ray tube rotates inside the ring and scans the area of the body lying within it. 

The scanner takes detailed photos of the inside of the body in thin ‘slices’ – these slices help build up a very detailed 3-D view inside the body so we can see what is happening. 

You will also be given an injection of a dye so that the structures in your body can be seen in more detail.

Interventional radiology (IR) delivers minimally-invasive treatments for a wide range of diseases. This includes destroying cancer tumours, as well as opening narrow or blocked arteries, and relieving symptoms of disease by placing drains into the body.

IR procedures are carried out using thin tubes instead of making lots of surgical cuts (incisions) into the body – this means you heal more quickly afterwards. 

They use live (real-time) images of the body – including x-rays and ultrasound – to guide instruments into blood vessels and organs to diagnose and treat a wide range of clinical conditions. 

IR procedures can replace many traditional surgical procedures. By avoiding surgery, patients benefit from faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays and better outcomes.

IR plays an important role in planned (elective) and emergency treatment including:

• Vein access for chemotherapy
• Biopsies – where a sample of body tissue is removed for tests
• Drainages 
• Interventional procedures for shrinking solid cancer tumours

We might ask you not to eat or drink anything for a few hours before the scan. This is because you might be given sedation or other drugs during the procedure.

Our pre-procedure clinics (before your procedure) and post-procedure care (after your procedure) are run by our nurses and imaging assistants. 

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) produces detailed internal pictures of the body. It can be used to examine almost any part of the body. 

It is important that you do not wear anything that has metal in it – such as jewellery, clothes with zips or poppers, bras or hair clips – during your appointment. 

You will be asked to lie on a flat table which moves into the scanner either head first or feet first depending on the area to be scanned. At certain times during the scan, the scanner will make loud tapping noises so we will give you headphones or ear plugs. 

The MRI scanner uses a powerful magnetic field and radio-waves – together with an advanced computer system – to build up a series of detailed images. An MRI scan does not use x-rays.

For some scans you might also be given an injection of a dye so that the structures in your body can be seen in more detail. 

A nuclear medicine scan or gamma camera is used to create an image of a specific organ or bone, including heart, thyroid, lung, kidney, bladder and gall bladder scans.

For this scan you will be given a small amount of a radioactive substance or tracer that is injected into a vein in your arm or hand. You will then need to wait a given about of time before proceeding with the scan. 

The dose of radioactivity you get is very low (about the same as you get from an x-ray) and almost all of it leaves your body within a few days.

During the scan, you will be asked to lie still on a bed while a gamma camera takes pictures of the tracer in your body.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans produce detailed three-dimensional (3-D) images of the inside of the body. This can show how the cells of your body are functioning.

By combining PET and CT in a single scanner, a PET-CT scan produces images that can tell us about the exact location, size, nature and extent of disease anywhere in the body in much greater detail.

To prepare for your scan we might ask you not to eat anything for 6 hours beforehand, but you can drink water. We also advise you not to wear any metal and to try to wear comfortable clothing.

You will be given a small amount of a radioactive substance or tracer that is injected into a vein in your arm or hand. You will then need to wait about an hour before proceeding with the scan, staying as still and calm as you can.

The radiotracer becomes quickly less radioactive over time and will usually be passed out of your body naturally within a few hours.

During your scan you will lie on a flat bed that is moved into a large, cylindrical scanner. You shouldn’t have any side-effects after having a PET scan and can usually go home the same day.

An x-ray is a quick and painless procedure commonly used to produce images of the inside of the body. 

Our x-ray department provides x-rays and video fluoroscopy procedures. 

An ultrasound scan, sometimes called a sonogram, is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of part of the inside of the body.

You might be asked to prepare before your ultrasound such as:

• Avoiding eating or drinking
• Avoiding using the toilet
• Drinking lots of water

During an ultrasound we will ask you to lie or sit on an examination table or bed. The sonographer or radiologist will put a gel on your skin to provide better contact between your body and the hand-held probe. 

The reflected sound (or ‘echoes’) that travels through the probe is recorded to create a two-dimensional image that can be viewed on a monitor.

Radiologists are specialist doctors who are experts in understanding medical images — things like x‑rays, CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound, or nuclear medicine scans. While radiographers, technologists, and sonographers take the images, the radiologist’s job is to look carefully at those images and work out what they show.

You can think of radiologists as the detectives of the medical world. They look for clues inside the images to help diagnose illnesses, check how treatments are working, or guide doctors on the next steps in care.

Here’s what they do in everyday terms:

• They study your scans closely.
  Radiologists look at hundreds of images, often down to tiny details, to spot anything unusual or unexpected.
• They write a report for your imaging.
  After reviewing your images, they create a clear clinical report explaining what they’ve found. This report helps your referrer understand what’s happening inside your body.
• They help plan your treatment.
  Their findings support important decisions — such as whether you need further tests, treatment, or follow‑up care.
• They sometimes perform image‑guided procedures.
  Some radiologists carry out minimally invasive procedures using imaging to guide them, such as taking a biopsy (a small sample of tissue) or draining a collection of fluid. These are usually done with ultrasound, CT, or x‑ray guidance.
• They work closely with the rest of the care team.
  Radiologists discuss complex cases with oncologists, surgeons, physicians, radiographers, and other healthcare professionals to ensure patients get the most accurate diagnosis and best care.

Overall, radiologists play a crucial behind‑the‑scenes role. Even though patients don’t always meet them face‑to‑face, their expertise is essential in diagnosing conditions and helping plan the right treatment at the right time.

Radiographers are trained healthcare professionals who take your scans and x‑rays.

They:

• Help prepare you for your scan and explain what will happen.
• Use specialist equipment to take high‑quality images safely.
• Make sure you are comfortable throughout your scan.
• Work closely with radiologists and other staff to ensure your results are accurate and helpful.

Most people will meet a radiographer during their imaging appointment.

Technologists are imaging specialists with deeper training in a particular type of imaging — for example PET-CT, or Nuclear Medicine.

They:

• Operate highly advanced scanners and equipment.
• Handle more complex or technical examinations.
• Work with radiologists to make sure images are clear, accurate, and suitable for diagnosis.
• Help monitor safety, especially where radiation or specialised equipment is used.

They combine technical skill with patient care to ensure scans run smoothly and safely.

Sonographers are healthcare professionals who perform and report ultrasound scans.

They:

• Use a handheld probe and sound waves to create real‑time images of the inside of your body.
• Often look at organs, soft tissues, pregnancy, and blood flow.
• Explain the procedure and support you throughout the scan.
• Provide detailed information to radiologists and doctors to help diagnose conditions.

Many sonographers are radiographers who have completed further specialist ultrasound training.

Imaging assistants support the clinical team and help ensure your visit goes smoothly.

They:

• Welcome you into the department and help prepare you for your scan.
• Assist radiographers, technologists, and sonographers during procedures.
• Help with positioning, equipment, and patient comfort.
• Provide reassurance and support throughout your visit.

They play a key role in patient care and keeping the department running smoothly.

Our reception and administrative teams are often the first people you meet.

They:

• Check you in when you arrive for your scan.
• Help with appointment queries and general information.
• Make sure your visit is organised and that your records are correct.
• Direct you to where you need to go and help answer any questions.

They ensure your experience is friendly, efficient, and stress‑free.

Service Development Lead
Radiology Lead Manager

Digital Systems Manager
PET-CT Clinical and Operational Lead
CT Clinical and Operational Lead
MRI Clinical and Operational Lead
USS Clinical and Operational Lead
Quality Lead

65 Pembroke Place
Liverpool
L7 8YA

Radiology Reception – Call 0151 318 8452

Clatterbridge Road
Bebington
Wirral
CH63 4JY

Radiology Reception – Call 0151 556 5052

Mason Street
Edge Hill
Liverpool
L7 3EW

Radiology Reception – Call 0151 318 8207