INTRODUCTION

The Medical Imaging Department of Albert Haykel Hospital is a quality department that stands out due to its innovative and ecological equipment. Its different modalities allow the provision of a fast health service to its patients.

Renovated in 2009, the Medical Imaging Department has a mission to offer a quality environment to its patients and it took an ecological bend through the digitalization of the whole imaging apparatus and the elimination of chemicals required for the traditional development of conventional films. This enhancement also allows every patient to leave the hospital bearing his imaging tests on a digital CD. Special attention is made to patient irradiation; all the protocols are adjusted and uniquely adapted to every patient.

COMMITMENTS

The Charter of the Radiologist towards his patients

We are committed to:

1. Provide you with a friendly welcome. Our priorities are listening and availability. Our staff is always keen on providing you with the best welcome and answering all of your expectations. We take also particular care in maintaining our facilities in order to receive you in a welcoming and comfortable environment.

2. Inform you before the exam. Our reception staff will keep you informed about the terms of your examination (time, steps…) upon your arrival or during your appointment setting. Radiologic Technologists will try hard to give you efficient explanations and answer all your questions. For any further questions do not hesitate to ask them.

 3. Provide you with an explication in case of waiting. We keep you informed about the reasons and duration of a possible delay for we know that excessive wait is difficult to bear and may disrupt your schedule. Unfortunately, emergency and unexpected cases prevent us sometimes from respecting the planned schedule.

4. Respect your privacy and your decency. We are committed to stay discreet regarding any personal details or any information related to the nature of your tests. Tests are performed with full respect of your intimacy, especially if they require that you get naked.

5. Pay a particular attention to vulnerable and dependent persons (disabled persons, elderly…). Particular attention is made so you are received in the best conditions, avoiding any additional stress. We will try hard to adapt our infrastructure to your care. In case we are not able to answer your enquiries, we address you to another specialized care unit. Please inform the medical secretary about your particular situation during your appointment setting.

6. Provide you with a personalized explanation of your results. The radiologist is available after the examination to explain the results and discuss them with you. In some case, he or she will also have to ask you some questions before the exam and consult your medical file in order to provide you with the best protocol and the possible risks.

7. Use a simple and non-technical vocabulary with you. The radiologist will provide you with clear explanations using understandable words, avoiding the use of a technical vocabulary. On the other hand, the written report addressed to the requesting doctor should definitely remain technical and medical.

8. Submit your results to you. As a general rule, your results will be given to you, no longer than 24 hours from the exam date. You are responsible of transmitting them to the requesting doctor. We advise you to preserve the radiographies and the imaging reports and to bring them with you to future examinations.

9. Become integrated in a group of medical partners. Our radiologists work in collaboration between them and with your treating doctor. They share with him information about technological developments in medical imaging and discuss the most appropriate exams indications.

10. Remain at your service for the quality of our services. Your thoughts and comments help us to enhance and develop the quality of our services, please share them with us.

RADIOLOGY

Radiology consists of performing a specific radiographic image that allows the diagnostic of the cause of a health problem (fracture, osteoarthritis, arthritis, effusion, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, and other types of lesions) before passing to more specialized exams.

PERFORMED RADIOGRAPHIES

Our Medical Imaging Department offers the following radiographs:

• Upper Limb (hand - wrist - bone age - forearm - elbow - arm - shoulder)
• Lower Limb (foot - ankle - leg - knee - thigh - hip)
• Rib cage (thorax - rib cage - sternum - sternoclavicular joints)
• Pelvis (alar - obturator - sacroiliac joints)
• Spine (cervical - thoracic - lumbosacral - coccyx)
• Skull and facial bones (cavum - sinus - skull - valve)

Preparation: No preparation is required

EXAMS WITH ORAL OR INTRAVENOUS CONTRAST

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

These exams are done with barium contrast agents or water-soluble contrast agents (gastrografin) allowing the study of the digestive tube.  

Upper Gastro-Intestinal Series

A radiopaque contrast agent is used to allow the visualization of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.

Preparation: Fasting for six to eight hours (No drinking, eating or smoking)

Small Intestine Radiography 

Radiographic exam made while using a radiopaque contrast agent allowing the visualization of the small intestine.

Preparation: Fasting for six to eight hours (without drinking or eating or smoking)

Opaque Enema

It is done with gastrografin or air to opacify the colon for diagnostic and therapeutic indications. This exam lost its indications in adult patients and is still pertinent in pediatrics.  

Preparation: no preparation is required.

GENITOURINARY SYSTEM

Intravenous Pyelogram IVP

An iodized intravenous contrast agent is used for the visualization of the urinary organs. The elimination of the contrast through the kidneys allows the opacification of the whole excretory urinary tracts in addition to the bladder.

The intravenous urography has lost its rank in the investigations of renal colic pain. It competes with other radiological techniques such as ultrasound and CT scanner. The majority of radiologists consider the CT urography as the best test that should be referred to in case of a renal colic.

Preparation: No specific preparation required, only a light meal the night before the exam.

Retrograde Cystography

The retrograde cystography is an exam that allows the visualization of the bladder and the urethra after filling the bladder with a water-soluble contrast agent using a catheter.

Preparation: A urinary assessment is required to verify the absence of urinary infection. If necessary, the exam can be done in case of urinary infection on treatment with antibiotic therapy.

Hysterosalpingography

Hysterosalpingography allows the study of the uterine cavity and the cervix. It also permits the visualization of the fallopian tubes that maintain the communication between the ovaries and the uterus.

Preparation: No particular preparation is required. Verify the absence of a pelvic infection.