Radiology

We have more than 30 pediatric radiologists, neuroradiologists, nuclear medicine physicians and interventional radiologists on staff -- making us the largest group of pediatric imaging specialists in the country. Each year we perform more than 150,000 imaging procedures on infants, children and adolescents.

Patients from around the world come to Children's for timely diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases and injuries. Our radiologists collaborate with leading pediatric surgeons and medical specialists throughout the hospital, as well as experts affiliated with the nearby Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital.

• We use the lowest possible amount of radiation: Our medical team strives to keep the radiation dose used in imaging as low as reasonably achievable without compromising the information needed to make the correct diagnosis. From years of experience with children and from our ongoing research, we know that children do not require as high a radiation dose as adults to obtain high-quality images.

  All of our X-ray based equipment, including plain X-ray and computed tomography (CT) units, are specifically designed and calibrated to minimize radiation exposure. Nuclear medicine procedures require only tiny, safe amounts of radiopharmaceuticals. In our research, we continue to look for ways to improve our disease-specific protocols and further reduce the amount of radiation we use.

• We are committed to ensuring that your child's experience here is as pleasant as possible: Every member of the medical staff is experienced in helping ease anxieties children may have about the procedures. In addition, we have certified child life specialists who can offer additional support and help parents prepare children for exams.

• The latest in CT, MRI and ultrasound technology, specially designed and equipped to facilitate imaging in children.
• A Division of Nuclear Medicine/PET which is the oldest and largest pediatric nuclear medicine program in the country. It features the only positron emission tomography (PET) scanner in New England devoted exclusively to pediatric use.
• A Division of Interventional Radiology, where interventional radiologists use minimally invasive techniques to treat conditions that previously would have required surgery.
• A Division of Neuroradiology which offers advanced imaging of the central nervous system.