General FAQs

Radiology is a specialist field in medicine that entails medical imaging, and the interpretation of those images, to help doctors make accurate diagnoses and decide on the best treatment plans for their patients.

The images are obtained by trained professionals called radiographers, while the images are interpreted and reported on by specialist doctors called radiologists.

They use an array of highly specialised machines and technologies to obtain the images, and play a vital supporting role to patients’ treating physicians.

To answer one of the common radiology FAQs: Radiology entails many different “types” of imaging, called modalities, and a combination of factors will influence your doctor’s selection of one over the other.

Apart from your medical history, symptoms and suspected condition, these factors will include what type of tissue needs to be imaged and the level of detail that is needed for an accurate diagnosis.

For example: An X-ray (which is a quick, easy and cost-effective diagnostic image) may be sufficient to examine a fracture of the kneecap. A CT scan (essentially a series of X-ray images put together) may be needed to examine more complex fracturing, especially if surgery may be required. When your doctor suspects an injury of the internal ligaments of the knee, they may request an MRI scan (a modality that offers a high level of detail, especially of the soft tissues).

Similarly, ultrasound (a modality that uses sound waves to produce images) would suffice for observing gallstones, while MRI would be needed to examine inflammation or growths of the bile ducts.

Additionally, factors such as cost, urgency, and safety (whether a patient is pregnant, for instance) will also come into play.

The goal is always an accurate diagnosis, and doctors train for many years to know which modality is likely to provide the necessary information to best help you.

It’s important to note that each modality has its own important place in medicine and that your doctor will aim to select the simplest, safest and most cost-effective imaging procedure that would be adequate for a diagnosis.

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are both cross-sectional imaging modalities (that provide two-dimensional views of “slices” across the body) and are used to capture detailed images of organs, bones and other tissues.

The main difference is that CT uses X-rays, while MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field. A CT scanner is also donut-shaped, while an MRI machine has a longer “tunnel”, both with a table in the middle.

CT is more commonly available, faster and less expensive. An MRI takes longer, but is better for looking at soft tissues such as the brain and spinal cord. As CT and MRI have unique strengths and weaknesses, they each have a specific place in medicine but they are occasionally used in combination to provide a comprehensive assessment of the organ or body part under investigation.

South Africa’s radiology referral system is regulated by law and the ethical code of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). This is particularly to ensure patient safety by not exposing anyone to more imaging than is really necessary.

Your referring doctor is trained to know when imaging is essential and, importantly, what to do with the result. Strict rules about referrals are the only way to ensure that imaging is done and used responsibly throughout the medical profession.

Another of the top radiology FAQs. Because it is classified as a screening test – to look for signs of breast cancer even before a lump can be felt or other changes in the breast can be observed – it is an exception to the referral rule. You therefore don’t need a referral letter, provided that you are over 40 and your last mammogram wasn’t done within the last 12 months.

The obtained images and report will, however, be sent to a treating physician of your choice and it is advisable that you pre-arrange a visit with your doctor to discuss your results.

Some medical aids will only pay for a mammogram every other year but patients who wish to come annually, are given a preferential private rate if they pay the account in full on the day of the mammogram.

A mammogram often serves as a baseline test to assess the breasts overall. A breast ultrasound is a supplementary tool in breast cancer screening that is not only excellent for imaging soft tissue, but also provides a “live” view of the tissue while the exam is being done.

Ultrasound is therefore often used to further investigate dense breast tissue or possible abnormalities that were shown on the mammogram. Mammography staff are specifically trained to know whether an ultrasound might be required after the mammogram exam, and will follow the correct protocol to arrange the exam.

As a diagnostic radiology practice we are only permitted to do a basic scan up to the 13^th week of pregnancy, and only to confirm location, to date gestation, and to assess the health of the pelvic organs.

Beyond the first trimester, or for any assessment of foetal development (even in the first trimester), patients should consult an obstetrician/gynaecologist.

In any radiology practice, most X-rays or scans are performed by radiographers. These are professionals who undergo at least four years of training to learn to interpret clinicians’ instructions and imaging protocols, to prepare and position patients correctly, and to operate highly specialised equipment.

Radiologists, on the other hand, are doctors who have undergone at least ten years of training and spend almost all of their time interpreting and reporting on the images that the radiographers had obtained.

Some modalities do require that a radiologist is present, such as interventional radiology that is performed by the doctor, or fluoroscopy that entails a “live” view of movement in the gastro-intestinal tract.

Even though most patients will not see the radiologists, every single patient’s images get interpreted by them.

Interventional radiology (IR) is a subspeciality of radiology and entails minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat specific conditions without the need for major surgery.

The interventional radiologist uses imaging such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or X-rays to guide the intervention or treatment. The imaging is used to accurately place drainage tubes or stents, or for the sampling of tumours, to name but a few examples.

IR has several benefits, as these are low-risk procedures with shorter hospital stays, less discomfort for the patient and quicker recovery.

Patients don’t need appointments for general radiography such as X-rays for bone fractures or chest X-rays.

More specialised imaging such as MR, CT, ultrasound, mammography and fluoroscopy need to be planned while interventional procedures such as biopsies involve doctors whose services need to be scheduled. All of these require an appointment.

If you’re unsure, feel free to confirm whether you need an appointment by contacting your preferred branch. Please note that a referral note from a treating physician is required for any imaging to be done.

Some imaging procedures most definitely need special preparation but others need no prepping at all. Preparation may range from diet restrictions before fluoroscopy, or medication restrictions before an interventional procedure, to not wearing roll-on when coming for a mammogram, or filling the bladder for an ultrasound.

You will be informed of special preparations when you make your appointment at one of our branches but if you’re in doubt, it’s best to check. It is essential to follow these instructions very carefully, as failure to do so may require the scan to be rescheduled or repeated.

You are welcome to request a quote, but we do need to send it out in writing. We also request that you provide your doctor’s referral letter as the instructions on their letter will help us provide a more accurate estimate.

Please note that additional consumables may be required during the procedure.

For patients on medical aid, we charge medical aid rates, and for private patients, there is a reduced and preferential rate when the account is settled in full on the same day as the procedure.

To request a quote, click here.

Yes, we charge medical aid rates for most procedures as set out by the medical schemes. But we do suggest that you confirm with your medical aid whether a co-payment will be required or, where applicable, if the procedure will be covered by your savings.

Remember that CT and MRI scans, and certain interventional procedures, require pre-authorisation. As a service to you, SCP will assist by providing tariff and ICD10 codes to your medical scheme before the procedure.

Pre-authorisation remains the responsibility of the patient, however, and is not a guarantee of payment from the medical aid scheme. The responsibility to settle the account always rests with the patient.