Pediatrics
Teaneck Radiology Center is well-known for caring for children, from infancy through adolescence. Our radiologists are experienced with all aspects of pediatric radiology. The staff are trained to work with children and their families. They are nurtured throughout each exam, and are cared for in a warm and caring environment.
What kind of tests are performed?
Ultrasound - is an imaging modality that uses high frequency sound waves to create images. There is no radiation exposure and is therefore often a first step in diagnosis in the pediatric population. Our ultrasound technologists are specially trained to perform ultrasound of the brain, spine, abdomen, pylorus, kidneys, pelvis, and hips. The exam usually takes about 30 minutes. While there is no special preparation, children are encouraged to drink before pelvic ultrasound.
VCU (Voiding cystourethrogram) - is a special procedure used to diagnose urinary reflux as well as diagnose reasons for urinary symptoms or urinary tract abnormalities. Teaneck Radiology is well known for our special handing of children for this procedure.
What to expect: In order to make your child's experience more comfortable, we have installed a TV monitor over the Xray table, so that your child can watch a favorite show. Just bring a CD in, or we will offer a popular show.
While your child lies on the Xray table the doctor or nurse will cleanse the genital area and then will insert a small tube(catheter) into the child's bladder. The tube will be connected to a bottle of Xray dye and the bladder will then be filled. The radiologist will watch as the bladder is filled and as the child urinates, and monitor to see if any of the dye leaves the bladder and refluxes up to the kidneys. The entire test may take up to 30 minutes. Once the study is complete, your child can resume normal activity.
Upper GI Series - is an exam to evaluate the upper digestive tract. This may be to evaluate such symptoms as abdominal pain, weight loss or vomiting. Your child drinks the barium (special Xray dye) from a bottle if still bottle-feeding or from a cup. The barium coats the intestines and allows the radiologist to diagnose a variety of issues. If a small bowel follow through (SBFT) is also ordered, then additional images over time will be taken to watch as the barium reaches the large intestines. To prepare for this exam, the child should not eat for the usual length of time between feedings. For older children, 4-5 hours or overnight should suffice. Our schedulers will let you know the exact preparation times.
Bone Age - is an Xray of the left hand in one view. It is performed to evaluate for growth disturbances. The radiologist compares this Xray to standards to see if the child has accelerated or delayed growth. No preparation is needed.
Scoliosis - is an Xray of the entire spine taken while the patient is standing. The angles of the curvature are measured and reported to the referring physician.
Xray - used to diagnose a variety of problems, such as pneumonia and broken bones.
MRI - (see MRI section). MRI is often used in pediatrics because there is no radiation involved. Common uses in the pediatric age group are for neurological illnesses, evaluating the pituitary gland in growth disturbances, and muskuloskeletal evaluation. Since an MRI requires the patient to not move, it can be difficult for children. Many children, especially those in the 9 month to 6 year age range, require sedation.
Sedation: At Teaneck Radiology we use the services of Summit Anesthesia summit-anesthesia.com to give pediatric (and adults) light sedation. Patients are continually monitored by Summit Anesthesia Associates, providing anesthesia in the form of intravenous sedation for patients of Teaneck Radiology. Their highly skilled team of anesthesiologists care for both pediatric and adult patients undergoing diagnostic testing including MRI and CT scanning. They have been caring for children and adults in this capacity for over a decade at multiple sites throughout New Jersey. The group includes pediatric fellowship-trained anesthesiologists in addition to highly experienced general anesthesiologists. If you need sedation, our staff nurse will help arrange the details. Please call our office and ask for scheduling.
CT - is a valuable tool in diagnosing illness and injury in children. It uses Xrays and sophisticated computer software to create three-dimensional images. The risks of CT are small and the individual risk-benefit favors the benefit when used appropriately. We have customized pediatric protocols for our patients, based on their weight and area being scanned. Our GE machine has special software to modulate the dosage of the Xray and keep it as low as possible. We ascribe to ALARA exposure (as low as reasonably achievable) and www.imagegently.org.
Bone density (Dexa) is a test to measure the density of bone, which can be affected by growth disturbances, bone disease, chronic illness and certain medications. We have special software in our bone density machine to evaluate pediatric patients.