Radiology | UK HealthCare

Doctor explaining hand X-ray to a parent of little girl

Sometimes, to make an accurate diagnosis, doctors need an inside look at a child’s anatomy. To see inside the patient without performing surgery, they can use imaging technology, such as X-rays, MRI or CT. The pediatric radiology department at Kentucky Children’s Hospital makes that possible.

Radiology is the medical specialty that interprets medical imaging studies to help diagnose injuries and diseases. After the imaging test is performed, the radiologist evaluates the images and determines if anything of concern is visible. The results of these images are reported back to the referring physician, who can then use that information to make a diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan.

If your infant, child or adolescent requires radiology services, you can rest assured that he or she is in good hands with the board-certified, fellowship-trained pediatric radiologists at Kentucky Children’s Hospital.

Our radiologists provide inpatient radiology services at Kentucky Children’s Hospital, and outpatient radiology services are available at three convenient locations.

Our Radiology Specialties

Safety is our priority at each children’s imaging center. Children are especially sensitive to ionizing radiation, which is used in many diagnostic tests. It’s proven that pediatric patients have a higher risk of developing cancer when exposed to radiation, especially if the equipment and exposure settings are designed for adults.

Because of this, we use Image Gently™ principles and techniques to perform the most appropriate imaging studies while minimizing radiation exposure. Our exams use the lowest radiation dose that is reasonably achievable to yield helpful images. Our team takes care to consider the size and age of a child patient and then adjusts the test as needed.

Our technologists have received specialized training in every form of pediatric imaging, and, together with our pediatric radiologists, our team is focused on meeting the unique needs of our young patients.

Why Choose Kentucky Children’s Hospital for Radiology?

The board-certified, fellowship-trained pediatric radiologists at Kentucky Children’s Hospital are expertly trained in pediatric imaging. Our radiologists completed at least 13 years of education and training to perform these tests, and many have also completed at least a year or more of additional training to use the equipment for children. They are proficient in all imaging modalities including CT, fluoroscopy, MRI, ultrasound and radiography. They will tailor pediatric imaging studies to each child’s needs.

Imaging services are available to patients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.