Radiology :: East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Radiology provides Diagnostic and Therapeutic Imaging Services for ELHT. Images are obtained using a wide variety of specialist equipment and techniques, operated by a skilled team of Radiographers, Radiologists and Assistant Practitioners.

The following imaging modalities (types) are available:

Plain film radiology (X-Rays)	X-rays are generated using electricity, tungsten and a glass tube, similar to a light bulb. When X-rays pass through objects, they are absorbed. An X-ray detector is placed behind the part to be X-rayed. The more X-rays which pass through the body and reach the detector, the darker the image, the less x-rays which reach the detector, the brighter the image. Hard, bone like structures show up white on an x-ray, soft tissue areas show up grey and parts filled with air, show up black. Read more here.
Fluoroscopy	Unlike a conventional x-ray image, fluoroscopy uses X-rays to image in real time. This allows assessment of function and structure. A good example of this is in Barium Studies. Barium is a dense white liquid which block x-rays. Because of this feature, it is shown on X-ray as bright white. It can be used to assess conditions of the intestinal tract and using fluoroscopy can be visualized as it passes through.
Ultrasound	Ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of organs and structures inside the body. The sound wave is reflected back to the transducer (probe) and this creates an image on the TV screen. Liquid Gel on the skin surface ensures that none of the sound waves are lost. Read more here.
CT scan (Computerised Tomography)	CT is a very specialised type of X-ray examination. A Tomogram effectively means ‘a slice’ or a cross section. As one organ lies in front of another in the body, it would be difficult to see everything at the same time. If the part in question and the machine producing the X-rays are moving at the same time, the structures behind and in front of the part of interest will be blurred out, leaving a clear picture. CT scanners work by have an X-Ray tube which rotates around the patient at high speed. The patient lies on a bed which moves through the X-rays as they rotate and this produces images of the internal organs. Pictures produced can be back to front, side to side and top to bottom so that every corner of the body can be seen. Like for a normal X-ray, parts of the body absorb X-rays differently, therefore hard structures like bone will show up very bright white on a CT scan and soft structures like the lungs will show up very black.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)	Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses a very large magnet to produce images of the body. The magnet is called a Superconducting Magnet and is kept energised constantly by electricity. As electricity produces heat, it is necessary to keep the magnet cool, so it is surrounded by a jacket of helium and Nitrogen gas. The human body contains lots of water. MRI relies on the Hydrogen atoms of the water to interact with the magnetic field and produce an image. Read more here.
Nuclear medicine	Nuclear Medicine is an imaging modality that looks at the function of an organ rather than the anatomy.Most of the tests involve an injection similar to a blood test to administer a very slightly radioactive substance that goes to the organ of interest and emits gamma rays. After a time interval a Gamma Camera can detect the gamma radiation emitted and using computer software can be manipulated into images or statistics as required. Patients rarely get undressed as Gamma rays are less affected by passage through clothing than x-rays, the images tend to be unaffected by clothes and fastenings.The procedures are routine, safe and the radiation dose is not excessive. Read more here.
Angiography and intervention	Angiography and intervention are examinations which use real time x-rays and conventional X-rays to image both organs and blood vessels throughout the body. Very intricate procedures can be performed through a small needle, using wires and tubes. In some cases this can avoid the need for invasive surgery.

Where our services are delivered

Except for angiography and intervention, all imaging modalities are available as both outpatient and inpatient services. Please see below for the availability of services by site and time.

Plain Film Radiography (X-Rays) – This service is available on the following sites:

Accrington Victoria Community Hospital	Open Access – No booking required: Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm Or pre-bookable appointments available: Monday to Friday 5pm to 8pm Saturday and Sunday 9am to 8pm No recent trauma or query fracture patients on this site
Barbara Castle Way	Currently unavailable
Burnley General Teaching Hospital	Open Access – No booking required: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm
Clitheroe Community Hospital	Patients to ring to book an appointment (numbers below): Monday and Thursday 9am to 4.30pm No recent trauma or query fracture patients on this site
Rossendale Primary Health Care Centre	Open Access – No booking required Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm No recent trauma or query fracture patients on this site
Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital	Open Access – No booking required Monday, Tuesday and Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm Wednesday and Thursday 8.30am to 7.30pm Please note - due to Barbara Castle Way being unavailable, there are currently long waits at this site.

Patients with a history of any recent trauma/injury within the last six weeks, or query fracture patients must only be sent to Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital or Burnley General Teaching Hospital (No appointments needed for these patients).

If an appointment is preferred, please contact Radiology on any of the following numbers:

01706 235336

01282 804090

01254 732306

01254 733467