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MRI

Mammography

Other

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Conventional X-ray

How harmful is an X-ray?

All diagnostic X-ray examinations are within a safe dose range. Even multiple examinations throughout the year are considered safe.

Are X-rays stored in the body? How does X-ray damage occur in the body?

The X-ray examinations are within a harmless dose range. Even if an examination is repeated several times throughout the year, it is considered harmless.

X-rays are not stored in the body. They pass through the object, are deflected and weakened.

Can a pregnant patient be x-rayed?

									Pregnant women should generally not be x-rayed. Therefore, please report any pregnancy before an examination. If a pregnancy is possible, please choose an appointment so that it can be ruled out by a negative pregnancy test or at least within the first ten days after the last menstrual period.  								

How high is the radiation exposure of fluoroscopy?

Although many images are taken in succession, the radiation dose can be kept low by using “pulsed” X-rays. With pulsed X-rays, only very little radiation is used for each individual image. In addition, modern apertures and pre-filters as well as the “last image hold” ensure a further reduction in the radiation dose.

Ultrasound

Which organs are examined using ultrasound?

In principle, ultrasound can be used on all organs, with the exception of organs filled with air (lungs and gastrointestinal tract) and bones, as these cannot be assessed by ultrasound.

I am pregnant, can I have a sound?

Yes, ultrasound has no harmful effect on the baby, nor does the direct examination of the embryo in the womb have any harmful effect.

What do I need to consider for the examination?

For the sonography of the upper abdomen, we ask you not to eat for 3 hours so that the gallbladder has not collapsed and there is not too much air in the stomach, which restricts the examination conditions. Drinking still water is permitted.
We therefore also try to carry out the examinations in the morning. We ask you to take your medication with a sip of water in any case.

For the sonography of the lower abdomen, we ask you to come with a full bladder, as this improves the examination conditions.

For sonography of the neck vessels in men, a fresh shave optimizes the image quality.

Mammography

Who should go for preventive care?

The nationwide early detection program www.frueh-erkennen.at automatically invites all women between the ages of 45 and 69 to have a screening mammogram every two years by letter. You can use this invitation to make an appointment with us at any time. You do not need any further assignment here. If you are in this age group, have not yet received an invitation and still wish to have a mammogram, you are welcome to call us, make an appointment and come to us with just your e-card. However, such an examination is only possible every 2 years.

If you are between the ages of 40 and 44 or older than 70 and would like to have a screening mammogram every two years, you must register for the early detection program yourself. You will then also receive an invitation with which you can make an appointment with us.

If I have complaints or need a breast examination earlier for other reasons?

If you have breast complaints, please consult a doctor (gynecologist or family doctor). If indicated, they can refer you for a mammogram at any time. If you have a family history (breast cancer in your mother under the age of 40 or in a close relative) or are undergoing aftercare for a breast cancer you have been diagnosed with, please also come with a referral from your treating doctor (specialist or GP).

I have felt a lump, what should I do?

If you have pain in the breast or a lump (palpable lesion), please contact your family doctor immediately and obtain a referral for a mammogram or sonography. When registering, please make sure that you state that you feel a palpable lump or pain in the breast.contact your family doctor immediately and obtain a referral for a mammogram. When registering, please make sure you state that you feel a palpable lump or pain in your breast.

Is it also possible to be examined by a female doctor?

									Several female doctors work in our institute. If you would like to be examined by a female doctor, please let us know when you make your appointment. 								

My findings are abnormal - what do I have to do?

If the mammography reveals abnormal or malignant findings, you will be informed of this personally by our doctors. Further measures will also be recommended to you during this consultation.

Computed tomography (CT)

What do I need to consider before the examination?

									You should not eat anything for 2-3 hours before the examination, but you should drink enough.

As the examination requires your written consent, we ask you to arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment to fill out the consent form and a general questionnaire about your medical history (e.g. questions about previous illnesses such as allergies, heart, kidney or thyroid disease, as well as possible pregnancy, etc.).B: questions about previous illnesses such as allergies, heart, kidney or thyroid disease, as well as possible pregnancy etc.).

Depending on the body region to be examined, you may be asked to remove jewelry, glasses, hairpins, hearing aids and removable dentures.								

How does the examination work?

The examination takes place with the patient lying down, while the CT is running the patient is alone in the room, the assistant monitors the patient during this time and can communicate with the patient via intercom.

We have a CT scanner that gives the patient plenty of space. Our rooms are bright and friendly.

Necessary documents

									Please bring a blood test not older than 3 months. Ideally, you should also bring relevant previous findings and images with you to the examination. 								

What do I have to consider in the event of pregnancy?

									Pregnant women may not be examined with computer tomography. If you are pregnant and have nevertheless been referred for a computer tomography scan, please discuss this with the referring physician.								

I have an allergy to contrast media, what should I do?

If you have a known allergy to contrast media containing iodine, please inform the registration desk when making your appointment. A contrast agent is not required for every examination and in some cases the examination can still be carried out with prophylaxis.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

What do I need to consider during the examination?

For examinations of the upper abdomen (e.g. liver, pancreas, kidneys etc.) you should not eat anything for 2-3 hours before the examination.

During the examination, the doctor may inject you with contrast medium via a venous access, depending on the examination region and/or indication.

As the examination requires your written consent, we ask you to arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment to fill out the consent form and a general questionnaire about your medical history.

Patients with prostheses, implants after operations, such as screws and plates, hearing aids, pacemakers, heart valves, stents (these are small metal tubes in vessels, usually coronary vessels) must report this before the MRI examination, as magnetic fields are used for imaging in the MRI. It is also important that you bring your implant passport to the examination if you have one.

Jewelry, hairpins, glasses, hearing aids and coins must be deposited in the changing room as far as possible.

Non-removable metal parts located in the body, such as metal splinters, and certain red dyes used for tattoos and permanent eyelid lines may contain iron oxide and therefore heat up or move during the examination and must therefore also be reported before the examination.

Will I be given contrast medium for every examination?

We decide in the course of the examination whether or not we will administer a contrast medium, so it may happen that a doctor will access a vein during the examination and administer a contrast medium through it.

Can an MRI be carried out during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is not necessarily a contraindication to an MRI, but due to the lack of data, an examination is not performed in the first trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, please also report any pregnancies. Contrast agents are not administered during pregnancy.

Claustrophobia (claustrophobia)

If you suffer from claustrophobia, please let us know when you register. We can administer sedative drops before the examination.

Bone density measurement

What is the radiation exposure of the bone density measurement?

X-rays are used to measure bone density. The radiation exposure of modern DXA devices is around 1 to 6 µSv, which is many times lower than the average annual radiation exposure from the environment (earth radiation and radiation from space: around 2000 µSv)

What can be assessed in a bone density measurement?

The doctor can assess osteoporosis with the help of bone density measurement. The examination is used for early detection of the disease. Furthermore, the doctor can monitor the therapy or the course of the disease if osteoporosis already exists.