ServicesRadiology

At SIUT, radiology services started in 1980 with a mobile X-ray unit. Before that, conventional X-ray services were provided by the Radiology Department of Civil Hospital. Two years later, an ultrasound machine was added. Radiology services formally started in 1993. The start was a humble one with only general radiological procedures. Later the Ultrasound Doppler, CT scan, Nuclear Medicine, Angiography and MRI machines were introduced.

In recent years, the radiology department has expanded its services. Each year, we perform over 150,000 free tests, which include 110000 ultrasounds; 27000 X-rays; 7000 Colour Doppler Imaging; 35000 CT Scans and 950 MRIs.

Facilities

X-ray: Including conventional and live X-ray examination using image intensifier with conventional image processors as well as computerized radiography.

Image Intensifier: For the diagnosis of complex urological conditions. This is being used to include problem related to hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal tract disorders.

Ultrasound: Available at all the Out Patient Departments (OPD) including the largest OPD of SIUT in the premises of Civil Hospital, Karachi (CHK) on Saturdays, the filter OPD. The other OPDs include Oncology, Hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal tract, Pre and Post Transplant, Paediatric Urology and Nephrology, Renal failure, Genitourinary Stones and Prostate clinics.

Moreover, 24 hour ambulatory ultrasound and doppler services are also available. The multiple interventional procedures include guided aspirations and biopsies of different organs/tissues. The portable ultrasound services also include operation theater procedures including percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN), image guided stone retrievals and image guided surgeries. Recently, state of the art 3D and newly arrived 4D ultrasound machines have also been included in the department.

CT Scan: Includes a 24hour CT scan examination done on a 16 slice Helical CT machine. Another CT scanner performs simulation radiotherapy as well as scanning of oncology patients. A 64 slice CT scanner is now available for whole body examination, including interventional procedures.

Angiography Suite: Performs routine diagnostics as well as highly selective interventional procedures like trans-arterial chemo embolizations of tumors.

MRI: A very sophisticated and high strength magnet with advance software available for whole body imaging.

Gamma Camera: A sensitive and modern camera and highly sophisticated advanced software for nuclear isotopes scanning is available for different types of examinations.

Future Plans

• PACS and networking (Picture archiving and communicating system): For easy and prompt reporting of the cases far away from radiology department i.e., wards, OPD, outside hospitals and opinion abroad.
• Eventually a film less department, cutting the cost of films but improving the efficiency.

Training

The Department has a postgraduate training program for the fellowship approved by College of Physician and Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP). In addition the department is training radiology technicians and training the B.S. technologists approved by University of Karachi.