Imaging

Our imaging departments offer a comprehensive range of diagnostic and interventional procedures, supporting all aspects of clinical management at our three hospital sites and the urgent care centre at St Charles Centre for Health and Wellbeing.

We use state-of-the-art imaging equipment and the latest techniques to support our clinical teams in the diagnosis and treatment of the full range of medical problems. GP referrals, NHS patients and private patients can benefit from advanced imaging services, including angiography, fluoroscopy, computerised tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, ultrasound and x-ray, supported by the radiological sciences unit (RSU).

In addition to offering extensive patient services, our imaging departments participate in a variety of high profile research programmes, working with our partners at the Academic Health Science Centre to develop healthcare innovations.

Conditions and treatments

We provide a range of tests and procedures, including:

• fluoroscopy – fluoroscopy is an imaging technique that uses x-rays to create "real-time" or moving images of the body
• angiography – a type of x-ray used to examine blood vessels
• computerised tomography (CT) – CT scans, also known as a CAT scan, uses x-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of your body
• intravenous urograms (IVU) – IVU is where dye that shows up on x-ray is injected into a vein in your arm. As the kidneys filter the dye out of your blood and into your urine, the x-ray image highlights any blockages.
• interventional and endovascular procedures
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – MRI is a type of scan used to diagnose health conditions that affect organs, tissue and bone. MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. 
• nuclear medicine – nuclear medicine involves the use of a small amount of a radioactive tracer to help get pictures from inside the body
• positron emission tomography (PET) – PET is used to produce a detailed, three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body
• ultrasound – ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to create an image of part of the inside of the body, such as muscles, tendons, and many internal organs. It is also used during pregnancy to produce images of unborn babies
• radioisotope studies – radioisotope studies use a small amount of radioactivity to produce pictures on a special camera
• bone density measurements – dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is used to measure the density of bones
• x-ray – a safe and painless procedure often used to produce images of the inside of the body such as fractured bones and to examine organs

Additional information

Imperial College Healthcare Private Care

We also offer private care services at Imperial College Healthcare.

All funds generated by our private care services are reinvested back into the Trust, supporting the development of both NHS and private care for the benefit of all our patients.

Find more information about private diagnostic tests and imaging services on our private care website. 

Clinical trials and research

The imaging research team is primarily based at Charing Cross Hospital, but provides advice and support for new studies at all three Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust sites. This includes assistance with the administrative requirements needed for local approval and Imaging Research Committee (IRC) review, guidance with the imaging component of ethics applications, advice on research governance (ARSAC and IR(ME)R), and the provision of appropriate research tariffs.

The imaging department are currently involved in a number of studies. If you are interested in participating in a research study please speak to the doctor in your area or email liam.greenshields@nhs.net or lesley.honeyfield@nhs.net who may be able to provide you with more information.

Education and elective placements

 We offer short-term elective placements for current diagnostic radiography students. If you are currently a student in a diagnostic radiography programme, you may contact one of our student co-ordinators for more information.

• Hammersmith Hospital - imperial.studentsimaging.hh@nhs.net
• Charing Cross Hospital -  imperial.cxh.radstudents@nhs.net
• St Mary's Hospital - imperial.smh.rad.students@nhs.net