Private Radiology services at our Dublin and Galway Clinics 

Radiology is a wide medical speciality that involves the use of medical imaging techniques to visualise, diagnose and help treat diseases and injuries within the body. The field has evolved significantly with advancements in technology, moving from traditional X-rays to more sophisticated imaging modalities like CT scans, MRIs, ultrasound and nuclear medicine. 

Comprehensive diagnostic imaging tests in our radiology department 

If you have been referred for imaging services at a Blackrock Health hospital, it means that your doctor wants to take a closer look at what is going on inside your body. 

Imaging tests use different techniques to create pictures of what is inside your body, which can help your doctor diagnose and treat a range of conditions. Some common imaging tests include X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and ultrasound scans. These tests are usually painless, non-invasive and are designed to be as safe as possible. 

Some of our radiology services are only available in select locations. Please check with your preferred location to confirm that the service you seek is offered there.  

For any radiology scan, always let us know if there is any chance you're pregnant before you book or attend your appointment. 

Why might I be referred for a diagnostic imaging test? 

You may be referred for imaging tests if you have symptoms such as swelling, pain or unexplained weight loss. These tests can also be used to monitor existing conditions and track how well treatments are working. 

Diagnostic Imaging at Blackrock Health 

At Blackrock Health, we understand that waiting for diagnostic results can be stressful. That is why we offer fast access to our state-of-the-art facilities in Blackrock, Galway, Hermitage (Lucan) and Limerick. 

Across our three hospitals and our diagnostic clinic, we are committed to ongoing investment in imaging and lab tests. By offering some of the most advanced imaging and diagnostic technology, we aim to provide accurate and timely diagnosis. 

Our teams of experts have the capacity and expertise to perform, analyse and report results for a wide range of tests. This ensures that you can receive the highest possible standards of care and support. Whether you need routine tests or more urgent imaging, we aim to reassure you of a result with the least possible delay. 

Our diagnostic imaging departments provide advanced imaging and interventional services to help diagnose and treat your medical condition. Our specialist teams of consultant radiologists and radiographers offer a broad range of imaging services and interventional radiology using the most advanced imaging technology and techniques. 

An X-ray is a commonly used, pain-free scan that takes images of your bones. X-rays allow radiologists to easily diagnose injuries, bone conditions (such as weak bone mineral density) and other abnormalities. 

An X-ray is a quick and painless procedure commonly used to produce images of the inside of the body. It is a very effective way of looking at bones, chest and abdomen and can be used to help detect a range of conditions. 

X-rays are usually carried out in hospital X-ray departments by trained specialists called radiographers, although they can also be done by other healthcare professionals, such as dentists. 

Your doctor may refer you for an X-ray if you have been experiencing a range of symptoms. These include pain, swelling or limited mobility in a particular area. 

All X-rays use a small dose of radiation to achieve the best result. 

X-ray at Blackrock Health Clinics is a walk-in service, available without an appointment, however, you must bring a referral letter with you on the day you attend. Please find the opening hours for this service within each Blackrock Health Clinic below:

A CT (Computed Tomography) scan, also known as a CAT scan, uses X-rays to take detailed images inside the body. 

CT scans can show certain parts of the body with great clarity. This includes the lungs, bones, soft tissues, and blood vessels. During a CT scan, a series of images are taken in slices and then stitched back together to create a single view of the area being scanned. Each image slice is taken in less than 1 second, so the overall scan is done in minutes yet still provides great image clarity. 

CT imaging allow radiologists to easily diagnose conditions such as some cancers, cardiovascular disease, trauma, or musculoskeletal disorders. A consultant may also suggest a CT scan to help plan radiotherapy treatment. 

An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan uses magnets and radio waves to take detailed images inside your body. Unlike an X-ray or CT scan, an MRI does not use ionising radiation. 

This type of scan can help detect changes in organs, blood vessels and bones and identify injuries to muscles and ligaments. 

Sometimes we need to use an intravenous (IV) contrast agent to help highlight areas of the body for the scan. In this case, a small cannula will be inserted into a vein in your arm. 

An ultrasound, sometimes called a sonogram, takes images inside your body using sound waves. These high-frequency waves go through the skin and are then reflected by your organs to form a picture on a screen. Ultrasound is particularly useful in helping us diagnose many different conditions. As ultrasound does not use X-rays, it is very safe. 

Ultrasounds can show the structure and movement of your organs, as well as how blood flows through your vessels. 

Mammography, also known as a mammogram, uses a low dose of X-rays to examine your breasts. Soft radiation helps to show distinct types of breast tissue and any abnormalities.  

Consultants use mammograms to help diagnose conditions such as breast cancer. 

Fluoroscopy is a form of medical imaging that displays a continuous X-ray image on a monitor, resembling an X-ray motion picture. 

Interventional radiology is a minimally invasive procedure that uses advanced imaging techniques to diagnose and treat many conditions without major surgery.  

At Blackrock Health hospitals, our expert teams specialise in interventional radiology procedures for the brain, blood vessels, spine, heart, and other vital areas. You receive the care you need with less pain and a quicker recovery than invasive surgery.

PET CT (Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography) is a combination of a PET scan and a CT scan. 

During a PET CT scan, we inject a special type of radioactive sugar into a vein. This radioactive sugar helps us determine the manner of the lesion being imaged. 

This process is often used to help accurately diagnose disease, infection, and inflammation in the body. It can also help pinpoint the best approach to treatment as well as monitor your treatment progress. 

We offer the following PET CT scans: 

Nuclear Medicine examinations allow functional imaging of an organ through an intravenous injection, inhalation, or ingestion of a radioactive tracer. The distribution of this tracer is captured by a SPECT/CT scanner.  

The SPECT/CT scanner creates a 3D anatomical image on which a 3D functional or metabolic image is superimposed upon. Common procedures in nuclear medicine are Bone Scans, Lung ventilation, and Perfusions.

A myocardial perfusion scan provides a non-invasive method of assessing the blood supply to the heart and provides information concerning cardiac function. 

 You will receive an injection of a medication intravenously that stresses the heart, avoiding the need for walking on a treadmill. Scans are taken before and after the infusion.  

This determines the presence of any significant lack of blood to parts of the heart that suggest a significant narrowing of the coronary arteries. It is a highly sensitive and specific test to evaluate the blood supply of the heart; a normal study carries an excellent prognosis.