RADIOLOGY

THE NAIROBI HOSPITAL RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Modern, dynamic and professional diagnostic imaging centre – that is The Nairobi Hospital Radiology Department. With the best technology available today, the hospital has established leadership in diagnostic and interventional imaging in the medical sector.

Radiology objectives

To provide a modern and dynamic ‘one stop ‘imaging centre
To be at the cutting edge in provision of quality imaging services
To become a borderless imaging department through modern technology

Services

Radiology Services

All routine imaging is performed digitally using the latest computed radiography systems or direct digital systems. Images are displayed on high resolution monitors and recorded on dry films, CDs or DVDs. The digital imaging is a cleaner production process that does not involve use of darkroom chemicals. High quality images are produced with minimised need for retakes.

CT Scans
Flouroscopy
Interventional
Mammography/ breast imaging.
MRI
Ultrasound
X-rays
OPG
Cardiac catheterization / angiograms.
Echocardiography
ERCP
We are offering Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio
Pancretography (ERCP) which is the study of billiary
system under the guidance of endoscopic team in
radiology.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

MRI uses a strong magnetic field in conjunction with radio wave pulses of energy to pick out information from very small points inside the patient’s body. MRI is one of the latest technologies used for producing diagnostic images of the human body’s internal organs and structure.

Benefits of using MRI

An MRI scan does not utilize ionizing radiation (x-rays). It uses two natural forces—magnetism and radio frequency waves – to produce clear and detailed images.
An MRI has the ability to provide hundreds of images in three dimensions, all from one scan.
An MRI scanner has the ability to produce detailed images which provides greater.

MRI Applications

Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) is one of the latest applications of MRI technology. This technique creates exceptionally clear, detailed images of the vascular vessels, which doctors use to diagnose disorders in the circulatory system.
We have two 3T high end and state of the art MRI scanners:

Philips Achieva 3Tesla
Siemens Magnetom Verio 3 Tesla

We carry out special MRI examinations such as:

MRI spectroscopy
MRI CSF Flow studies
Paediatric examinations
MRI Arteriography/ Venography
We have MRI compatible anesthetic machine for sedating patients and for life support and the most conventional MRI examinations.

X-Ray

X-Ray Services

The department has an emergency and trauma X-ray machine in the accident and emergency centre and other X-ray units in the department. They are:

Routine X-rays done on a walk in basis
X-rays for trauma and emergencies
Chest X-rays for medical examinations
X-rays for medical diagnostic evaluation
Theatre X-ray services including hip pinning and manipulation of fractures under image intensifier (image intensifier and check X-rays)
Portable X-rays in the wards and emergency rooms

Xray

A Radiographer positions a patient for an X-ray procedure.

Special X-ray procedures with introduction of contrast media (dye) e.g. Venograms, Sinograms, Myelograms, Sialograms, Fistulogram and Ductogram.

Ultrasound.

Ultrasound

The department has acquired the new generation equipment in elastography and provides a wide range of ultrasound examinations including Color Doppler studies, high resolution Breast Scan, Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) and Drainage procedures under ultrasound guidance.

Other applications available includeelastography and ultrasound of the heart called echocardiography. Radiologists and Sonographers are available twenty four hours a day for services and appropriate consultation.

Appointments are for special cases like FNA and Biopsies.

Multi-Slice CT Scanner.

64 Slice CT Scanner

The scanner is a medical imaging machine that is able to generate 64 slices per CT tube rotation and enables doctors to detect patients’ conditions with a high degree of accuracy.
Routine CT scans not requiring prior preparations are done on a walk-in basis.

Body scans requiring bowel preparations are performed on appointment basis. Emergency services are available 24 hours a day. Appointments are done on special cases such as virtual colonoscopy and CT angiography.

Digital Mammography.

Digital Mammography

This is a specialised form of mammography that uses a digital deceptor and computers instead of X-ray film to help examine breast tissue for breast cancer. The electral signals can be read on computer screens permitting more manipulation of images to theoretically allow the Radiologist to more clearly view the results. Digital mammography maybe “spot view” for breast biopsy or “full field” for screening.

Digital OPG.

Digital OPG

This provides digital panoramic imaging of the upper and lower jaws complete with the dental formula as well as the temporal mandibular joints. OPG services are provided on a walk-in basis and recorded on a CD.

Digital Substraction Angiography.

This is an invasive technique of demonstrating the blood circulatory anatomy by injecting contrast (dye) through a special catheter.

It entails digital acquisition of data and subtraction of bony anatomy to clearly demonstrate the blood vessels.
The department is a leader in Peripheral Angiographic studies in the East and Central African region.

Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory.

A Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory is used to diagnose and treat complex heart and blood vessel lesions without opening the body. The Nairobi Hospital has an ultramodern catheterization laboratory. This equipment is a mixed system with a large flat panel detector capable of neurological, cardiac and peripheral angiography.
It operates on lowest radiation dose to patients with excellent image resolution as compared to its contemporaries. This high technological equipment has rotational angiography, 3D vessel rendering for inline stent measurement, good ergonomics, and DVD image recording among other features. Heart catheterization is a specialized test that shows the condition of the heart chambers and the coronary arteries by introducing special wires and catheters into the heart and its blood vessel systems. The heart catheterization is performed both for diagnostic and treatment purposes.
Narrowed arteries are treated through ballooning and stenting. The entire procedure depending on its nature and whether or not treatment is being carried out generally lasts one to two hours after which the patient is returned to the ward for close observation. The test can also be done on out-patient basis where the patient can go home the same day after a period of observation so long as the patient’s condition allows.

PACS

State of the art Radiology Information, Picture Archive and Communication Systems (PACS)

We have what is known as Radiology Information Systems (RIS) and PACS (Picture Archive and Communication System). These systems helps us to store patients’ information for more than 10 years in safe digital format that communicates with all our equipment modalities. The reporting of images is done via voice recognition by the Radiologists.

Referrals.

Patient Resources

• Exams that require appointments. E.g, IVU, Barium studies, CT abdomen, MRI.
• Request forms.

Patient.

Patient Resources

• Pregnancy information.
• Clothing
• Relatives and escorts

Personnel.

Patient Resources

We have professional Radiologists, Radiographers, Sonographers, Nurses and Secretaries who adhere to patient confidentiality and undergo rigorous CME’s throughout the year to keep up with the international standards and national radiology standards of quality system.