Multislice CT Examinations

Australian Radiology Clinics provides bulk billing multislice CT examinations at both of our Adelaide radiology clinics — Brighton and Salisbury. Provided you have a valid Medicare card and are referred to us in accordance with Medicare’s requirements, you will be bulk billed for any multislice CT examination not requiring interventional radiography so that there is no gap to pay. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions about any of our bulk billing radiology services.

If you are coming to Australian Radiology Clinics for a CT scan of the abdomen, pelvis, head, neck or chest, it is important that you do not eat or drink for up to 4 hours prior to your appointment. You will be advised as to precise requirements in this regard at the time of booking your multislice CT examination. 

The time required for a multislice CT examination will vary, but we will be able to advise you as to how long your appointment will be when you make a booking.

What is a multislice CT scan?

A multislice CT examination is more commonly known as a CAT scan, and it uses digital technology to provide detailed 3D images of the body, including bones, joints, soft tissues and internal organs.

During a Computed Tomography (CT) exam, a scanner passes around your entire body taking a series of X-rays simultaneously. This produces 3D images of the body parts or organs that are being examined. 

The procedure requires you to lie down on the scanner table, which is then moved into the CT scan equipment (known as a gantry) where the examination is carried out. There is no contact from any of the equipment, nor will you feel any discomfort. You are in contact with the technician at all times during a CAT scan, and can call for assistance if required.

The amount of radiation emitted in a CT scan is minimal (in accordance with the ALARA standard or ‘as low as reasonably achievable’); however, if you are pregnant or think that you might be, please let us know when you make your appointment.

Multislice CT scans are widely used in radiology to discover injuries and disease in all parts of the body. A CAT scan can reveal damage to bones and joints (including small fractures), as well as soft tissue problems and tumours. A multislice CT scan can also be used to examine internal organs, including the lungs, liver, kidney and bowels. 

Interventional radiology (IR)

Australian Radiology Clinics specialises in interventional radiology. This is where the images produced by ultrasound or a CT scan are used in the performance of highly targeted interventional medical procedures. These procedures are minimally invasive, such as administering spinal and joint injections to reduce inflammation and manage pain, or taking tissue biopsies.

Interventional radiology is available at both of our Adelaide radiology clinics; however, the total costs are not covered by bulk billing when injections are required. In this case, there is a small gap payment (unless you have a government issued concession card). Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to find out more.