A CT scan makes detailed pictures of the inside of your child’s body using X-rays. We use CT scans to check for potential causes of illness, injury or pain in your child. We may also use CT scans to guide treatments, such as biopsies, radiation therapy or surgeries.

Fluoroscopy uses X-rays to create moving pictures of the inside of your child’s body. We give your child a harmless contrast dye (by mouth, rectum, urethra or injection) to see how it moves through their body. We may use fluoroscopy to look at your child’s breathing, swallowing, gastrointestinal tract (stomach, esophagus or intestines) or urinary tract. We sometimes use fluoroscopy to guide treatments, including placing thin, flexible tubes (catheters) or feeding tubes inside your child’s body.

An MRI uses magnets and radio waves to make images of the inside of your child’s body. An MRI doesn’t use radiation. We may suggest an MRI to evaluate issues due to congenital abnormalities, illness or injury. We often use this procedure to image your child’s brain and spinal cord, heart, abdominal and pelvic region, and intestines. It can also be used to image bones, joints and muscles. We may recommend sedation so your child stays still during an MRI.

An X-ray uses small amounts of radiation to create pictures of your child’s soft tissues and bones. We may use radiography to determine what causes your child’s pain, look at injuries, or see foreign objects that your child swallowed or inhaled. We most commonly use radiography to look at your child’s chest, bones or abdomen.

An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to show pictures of your child’s body parts. An ultrasound doesn’t use radiation. We most often use ultrasound to look at your child’s abdomen, head, hips, pelvis, spine or thyroid.