Capalaba

• Our team will provide any specific instructions at the time of booking and these should be followed carefully.

• We recommend wearing a separate top and bottoms during your appointment as this makes changing for the examination easier.

• If you are pregnant or there is a possibility of you being pregnant, please let our staff know before your examination.

You may be asked to change into a gown for your scan to ensure clothing does not affect the quality of the scan. You may also be asked to remove any jewellery, glasses or other metal objects that could affect the image quality.

For some CT scans, it may be recommended to have an injection of contrast material (or CT contrast dye). This will be discussed with you prior to your examination.

A CT scanner is a doughnut-shaped machine with a bed passing through the middle. You will be asked to lie on the bed as still as you can to improve image clarity. The bed will move through the scanner to capture your images.

Throughout the CT you will be able to communicate with the radiographer performing your scan. 

You may be given breathing instructions to follow. The radiographer performing your examination will explain this to you before your scan.

A CT scan can take between 5 minutes and 30 minutes depending on which part of the body is scanned and whether you require a contrast injection.

To book a CT appointment with Queensland X-Ray, access our portal here.

The terms CAT scan and CT scan refer to the same type of medical imaging procedure. CAT stands for “Computed Axial Tomography” and CT is simply “Computed Tomography”. Although CAT scan was the first term used, CT scan has become more common in recent years.

The cost of scans are subject to variation based on several factors. We will inform you of the CT scan price at the time of booking. If you have any questions about costs or Medicare eligibility, please feel free to contact us, and one of our team members will be happy to assist you with your query.

• CT scans are a powerful diagnostic tool that can detect life-threatening conditions such as haemorrhage, blood clots, and cancer. Early detection of these conditions can be lifesaving.

• A CT scanner uses X-rays, which produce ionising radiation that have the potential to cause biological effects in living tissue. The risk of developing cancer from X-ray radiation exposure is minimal.

• It is important to note that in almost all cases the benefits of a CT scan outweigh the risks associated with radiation exposure. If you have any concerns about your upcoming CT scan, please do not hesitate to discuss them with your doctor.

Preparation before your ultrasound scan is very important. Please follow the instructions given to you at the time of booking carefully and thoroughly.

In some cases you will be asked to fast. This means you should not eat, drink or chew anything 4-6 hours before your appointment. A sip of water is allowed for hydration purposes.

For some ultrasound scans, you will be required to have a full or partially full bladder. You will be able to empty your bladder as soon as the scan is over.

If you have any questions about the preparation for your scan, please contact the Capalaba practice.

For an ultrasound scan, you will generally be required to lie down on an examination table or bed. During the scan, the area of interest will be exposed, with the rest of your body remaining covered to ensure your privacy and comfort. Queensland X-Ray’s highly-trained ultrasound technologists (known as sonographers), will place gel onto your skin and will then place the transducer in the area that is being studied. A moving image is shown instantly on a monitor screen.

Ultrasound is generally regarded as safe as you are not exposed to ionising radiation like some other forms of medical imaging (e.g. X-rays, CT scans). Instead, ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to show images inside the body. Please discuss any concerns with your referring doctor.

All ultrasounds at Queensland X-Ray Capalaba are performed by sonographers who are highly trained and accredited professionals. Our quality team consists of male and female sonographers who are qualified to perform all diagnostic ultrasound imaging including breast imaging.

At Queensland X-Ray’s Capalaba practice, we understand that women have unique health concerns. If you would like to ensure a female sonographer performs your ultrasound services then please consider booking at one of our Women’s Imaging Centres.

At Queensland X-Ray, we provide our patients with their images and ultrasound results online. After visiting one of our practices, you will be sent details to set-up your account. If you’ve already registered, you can access the Patient Portal here.

To book an ultrasound online with Queensland X-Ray, access our portal here.

Queensland X-Ray offers a comprehensive range of maternal-fetal medicine and pregnancy imaging services. These include:

• Transvaginal ultrasound scans, which is an obstetric imaging technique performed in early pregnancy or when a more detailed view is required. A Transvaginal ultrasound involves inserting an ultrasound probe into the vagina to obtain high-resolution images of the pelvic organs such as the uterus, cervix, as well as the developing embryo or foetus.
• Nuchal translucency scans, which is the obstetric imaging performed between 12 and 13 weeks of pregnancy to assess the likelihood of pre-eclampsia or structural or chromosomal abnormalities.
• Morphology scans, which are performed between 20-22 weeks to examine the baby’s structure and organs.Third-trimester ultrasounds are used to monitor the baby’s growth and wellbeing beyond the 27-week mark.  

The cost of ultrasound procedures at Queensland X-Ray can vary depending on the specific service and other factors. At the time of booking, staff at Queensland X-Ray will provide you with a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with your service.

Morphology scans occur at the 20-22 week stage of your pregnancy to assess the development of your unborn baby. It is at this stage that the baby’s organs have formed, and we are usually able to view them clearly on the ultrasound. It’s also during this stage that our experienced sonographers will try to identify the baby’s gender. During the ultrasound scan, the sonographer will ask the expecting parents if they would like to know the gender of the baby. This can also be written down on one of our special cards if a gender reveal is planned. In some instances, however, the baby may be in the wrong position and they will be unable to confirm the gender.

You are unable to take photos or videos during your scan. Queensland X-Ray provides patients with all of their images via our Patient Portal. Shortly after your first visit to Queensland X-Ray, you will receive a text message about accessing your results through our Patient Portal. This secure portal allows you to view and download your medical images and results at any time. It is compatible with most internet browsers and mobile devices, ensuring accessibility from anywhere in Australia.

Whilst we understand it is an exciting time, we limit attendance in the room to one support person due to the precise anatomical assessment required. Whilst it is preferred that small children do not attend these appointments, we understand at times this may be unavoidable and request that they are appropriately supervised.