Patients and Families

Radiology tests can be critical in diagnosing illness in children so that the right treatment can be given as soon as possible. At UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center, we understand that you and your child may feel nervous about having these tests, and our services are designed to put you and your child at ease.

As the only children’s hospital in Central Massachusetts, we offer the region’s only pediatric radiologists and imaging technologists. So you can rest assured that the people caring for your child have the training and experience required to perform and interpret imaging tests on the littlest of patients – safely and efficiently. Our specialty- trained pediatric radiologists work closely with our radiation physicists to ensure that our X-ray radiation levels are always the lowest possible.

Child-friendly Radiology Services to Put You and Your Child at Ease

• Our pediatric radiologists are specially trained to understand the unique needs of children, and have detailed knowledge of the medical conditions affecting infants, children and teens.
• Our equipment, procedures and staff are tailored to the special needs of children.
• We provide sedation services, if necessary, to help very young children remain still and unafraid during imaging procedures.
• You are encouraged to stay with your child whenever possible during imaging exams.
• We “child size” the radiation that is given to our young patients, enabling us to limit the dose without compromising diagnostic quality.

The Latest Pediatric Radiology Technology

At UMass Memorial, we offer all of the most advanced diagnostic imaging technology to help diagnose illness and injuries in children:

• Ultrasound views soft tissues like the abdomen, appendix, pelvis, head and neck, and the spine and joints in newborns.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) provides high-resolution images of soft tissues as well as head and spinal pediatric imaging.
• Fluouroscopy, an imaging technique that uses X-rays to create real-time, moving images of the body, helps doctors see how an organ or body system functions
• CT (computed tomography) with a machine that allows for fast, very low-dose and high-quality imaging, reduces the need for sedation and radiation risk
• Nuclear Medicine, which shows how organs or body systems work, is used to study the kidneys, brain, digestive tract, heart, bones, lungs and thyroid, as well as other studies to evaluate for infection and tumors.

Fast Results Reporting

We understand that you’re anxious to know the results of your child’s imaging exam. That’s why we call your referring doctor right away with any urgent findings, and nonurgent reports are sent by fax or mail within 24 hours of the exam.