Mass General Imaging’s Pediatric division offers state-of-the-art imaging services and an environment that is safe and enjoyable for all patients. Our pediatric radiologists interpret every scan and provide expert recommendations for care.
Please note:
People who are pregnant or may be pregnant will be asked to leave the exam room during the procedure. Please make sure that there is someone else available to accompany the child during the exam, if needed.
All Pediatric Imaging Exams
Where will the exam take place?
Click here to view pediatric imaging services by location.
Should I arrive early for my child’s appointment?
What time you arrive for your child's appointment depends on the type of imaging test they are having, or if they need sedation (medication to help your child feel more relaxed during a procedure). The care team will give you specific instructions before your appointment.
What should I bring to my child’s exam?
- Your and your child’s identification documents
- A change of clothes for your child
- Comfort items, if needed. This may include a pacifier, blanket, jacket or other items.
How should I dress my child for their exam?
Dress your child in loose, comfortable clothing.
Can my child eat or drink before the exam?
Whether and when your child can eat or drink before their exam depends on the type of imaging test they are having. If your child has to stop eating or drinking at a certain time before the exam, the care team will give you instructions. Your care team will also instruct you on administering vitamins and medications prior to the appointment.
If your child does not need to stop eating or drinking before their imaging test, they can eat and drink as usual before they arrive at the hospital. Please note, no eating or drinking is allowed in the waiting rooms at Mass General for Children (MGfC).
What if my child is sick on the day of their exam?
If your child is showing signs of an illness, please reschedule the exam by calling 617-724-4207.
How do I get a copy of my child’s exam images and reports?
You can get a copy of your child's reports through Patient Gateway, the hospital's secure online portal. Here you will see your child's health information, schedule appointments, get test results, or message the care team.
If your report does not appear in Paitent Gateway, or you do not have access to Patient Gateway, please contact your ordering provider (provider who asked for your child to have the imaging exam).
To order images on a CD or DVD, please click here.
X-ray
Can I stay in the room with my child?
For most exams, you can stay in the exam room with your child. The x-ray technologist (person who takes x-rays) will tell you where to stand during the exam. If needed, you can help comfort your child during the exam as well.
Who will interpret my child’s exam?
An x-ray technologist will take the x-rays. A radiologist (imaging doctor) from MGfC will look at the images and report the results of the exam. Your child’s doctor will follow up with you to go over the results.
How long will my child’s exam last?
The length of the exam depends on how many x-ray images need to be taken.
How much radiation is my child exposed to during an x-ray?
Radiation doses, if needed, are very small. They are given based on your child’s weight. To learn more about x-ray radiation levels and safety, click here.
Ultrasound
Can I stay in the room with my child?
Yes, caregivers may remain in the room during the ultrasound exam.
What will my child experience before, during, and after the exam?
The ultrasound technician (person who does ultrasounds) will apply a warm gel to the area being scanned.
Then, they will press a probe (the handheld part of the ultrasound machine that touches your child’s skin) against your child’s skin and moved back and forth until the desired images are captured. This does not hurt.
Once the exam is done, the ultrasound technician will wipe the gel off your child's skin. After the exam, your child can go back to their normal activities.
How long will my child’s ultrasound exam last?
Ultrasound exams typically last 30-45 minutes.
CT
Can I stay in the room with my child?
Caregivers may be able to stay in the room with the child, based on the child’s need. The care team will support your child throughout the CT exam to help them feel as comfortable as possible.
Will my child be sedated?
Whether your child needs sedation (medicine that helps your child feel more relaxed during a procedure) depends on their age and whether they can stay still throughout the exam.
What is the purpose for having contrast, and will my child need it?
Contrast is a type of dye that safely helps your child’s organs show up clearer on the CT images. Contrast can be given orally (by mouth), intravenously (through an IV).
After the exam, the body naturally removes the contrast through urine or bowel movements.
For more information, click here.
How long will my child’s CT exam last?
Preparing before and after the CT exam lasts about 15-30 minutes. The length of the CT depends on the number of images that need to be taken. It takes only a few seconds to complete.
How much radiation is my child exposed to during a CT exam?
The care team customizes CT exams for each child based on weight, age, medical history and the body part being scanned. At MGfC, the radiation dose for CT exams is 10-30% lower than the national average doseLearn more about our commitment to reducing radiation exposure during radiology exams here.
MRI
What can my child expect during an MRI?
To learn what to expect during an MRI, click here.
Can I stay in the room with my child during an MRI?
Caregivers may be able to stay in the room with the child, based on the child’s need. The care team will support your child throughout the MRI exam to help them feel as comfortable as possible.
What is the purpose for having contrast during an MRI, and will my child need it?
Contrast is a type of dye that safely helps your child’s organs show up clearer on the MRI images. Contrast can be given orally (by mouth) or intravenously (through an IV).
After the exam, the body naturally removes the contrast through urine or bowel movements.
For more information, click here.
Does an MRI expose my child to radiation?
No. An MRI uses magnets and radio waves to take detailed images of organs and tissues. You can learn more about how to prepare for and what to expect during an MRI here.
How long does an MRI last?
MRI exams can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Fluoroscopy
What is a fluoroscopy scan?
A fluoroscopy scan is a safe, real-time x-ray that uses contrast (a safe dye that helps organs and tissues show up clearer) to make images of a joint or organs, i.e., stomach and intestines. Fluoroscopy allows the area being scanned in motion rather than through still images like traditional x-rays.
Can I stay in the room with my child?
For most exams, you can stay in the exam room with your child. The x-ray technician will tell you where to stand during the exam. If needed, you can help comfort your child during the exam as well.
What is the purpose for having contrast during a fluoroscopy exam, and will my child need it?
Contrast is a type of dye that safely helps your child’s organs show up clearer on the fluoroscopy images. Contrast can be given orally (by mouth), intravenously (through an IV) or rectally (through the rectum, where solid waste leaves the body). For certain studies, a bladder catheter may be placed to evaluate the kidneys.
After the exam, the body naturally removes the contrast through urine or bowel movements.
For more information, click here.
Does a fluoroscopy exam expose my child to radiation?
Yes. A fluoroscopy exam is similar to a traditional x-ray. Many safety measures are taken to minimize the dose to the patient and to the people in the room at the time of the study, including wearing a protective lead shield, and pediatric fluoroscopic doses which allow to decrease the radiation dose based on patient’s size, among other safety measures.
To learn more about X-ray radiation levels and safety, click here.
How long will my child’s exam last?
How long the fluoroscopy exam takes depends on the number of images that need to be taken and the type of exam.
Schedule a Virtual or Telephone Visit
Care teams across Mass General for Children are available to provide care via phone or online video visits. Call 888-644-3248 to learn more.
Get Your Imaging Results
After your imaging exam, a radiologist sends a report to your doctor. Most results are in Patient Gateway.
Order Your Images
You can order a CD or DVD of your images by using the online digital request form or by visiting us in person at the main hospital in Boston.