Patient Care Area

The outpatient breast clinic is one of the busiest in Austria, performing more than 15,000 exams on over 7,000 patients per year. The clinic doctors are active in the CCC BGZ of the General Hospital Vienna and the Medical University Vienna. Through years-long experience and specialized knowledge, the outpatient breast clinic has shown itself to be optimally equipped technologically and to have high quality standards. Therefore numerous diagnostic and interventional procedures, ranging from 2D- and 3D-mammography to ultrasound, MRI and PET/MRI are performed.
We aim is to deliver the correct diagnosis in a timely fashion, bearing in mind the emotional challenge that ofttimes accompany screening results.  Experience, medical and human competence, as well as implementation of the latest scientific knowledge help us achieve this goal.  
Consequently, five days a week (Monday-Friday) we offer screening as part of the Austrian Breast Cancer Early Recognition program, as well as an Expert-opinion Center.
 
Your visit and interest in our clinic pleases us. 

With Warm Regards,
The Breast Outpatient Clinic Team, part of the Breast Center of the General Hospital Vienna and the Medical University Vienna

Genitourinary imaging concerns itself with imaging related to gynecological and urological queries.  Therefore numerous diagnostic and interventional procedures, ranging from radiography and fluoroscopy to ultrasound and cross-sectional imaging, e.g., CT and MRI are performed.

Our imaging focuses on oncologic questions of the female sex organs, the prostate gland, as well as the kidneys, urinary tract and bladder. Furthermore, we offer little-known diagnostic imaging methods for endometriosis.

The division participates in 36 interdisciplinary rounds and tumour boards each month.  Therefore, the radiologists have a close working relationship with their gynecology and urology colleagues which has led to innovative collaborations, such as fusion biopsy and minimally invasive prostate therapy, as well as diagnostic and treatment planning of endometriosis.

Computer Tomography (CT)  represents a lifeline of modern diagnostic imaging and integrative component of inpatient care. The university clinic has six CT machines dedicated to patient imaging.

CT operations are diverse, spanning from oncologic queries, to lung disease work-ups, brain studies, and vascular imaging, including the coronary and abdominal arteries.   

CT is available around-the-clock for emergency room investigations and is one of the quickest methods for detecting life-threatening conditions, such as an aortic tear or pulmonary emboli which allows treatment to be started immediately. Our team works closely with other clinical specialists to provide the best care possible.

CT is also performed on children when indicated. Modern techniques allow CT radiation dosage to be kept to a minimum. A CT with detector technology, the so-called photon-counting detector, is also now available.  This allows higher-resolution pictures to be obtained.

Thorax radiology uses modern imaging methods to evaluate diverse lung diseases.  In addition to interstitial lung diseases, this also covers infectious, vascular and malignant conditions. The diagnosis of pulmonary diseases requires a systematic approach using various imaging methods, such as conventional radiography, CT, MRI, and nuclear medicine.  

The members of our team work closely with sundry clinical specialists, running interdisciplinary case conferences where patients are also present. In addition to clinical duties to our patients, our Team members also engage in academic work, including research and teaching. Our research focuses primarily on diagnosis and staging of lung carcinoma, the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases, and post-transplant imaging.  We also teach thoracic radiology to medical students, assistant doctors, and colleagues in other disciplines.

Our radiologists are actively working with specialty societies on the national and international levels, e.g., the Austrian Roentgenology Society, the European Society of Radiology and the European Society of Thoracic Imaging.

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the General and Pediatric Radiology Divisions is able to depict all areas of the body. The MRI is an imaging procedure that does not use ionizing radiation. Instead, using a very strong magnetic field (in the radiofrequency range), MRI can depict soft tissue changes in the organs, soft tissues and bones.  Thanks to good spatial and excellent soft tissue contrast, MRI can distinguish healthy from pathologic structures. For these reasons, MRI is indispensable for the diagnosis and evaluation of numerous organ disorders, as well as focal and systemic diseases. Based upon the clinical question, the MRI is performed with or without contrast agent.
Our division focuses mainly on imaging all upper abdominal diseases, starting from detection and diagnosis to treatment and post-treatment monitoring of oncologic diseases. Our group has performed morphologic and functional imaging of the liver, biliary tree, pancreas and reticuloendothelial systems, for example using synthetic hormone-like agents or, in the spleen, cell-specific contrast agent.
Through our years-long experience, MRI allows us to give more precise information for the following indications:

• Using hardware and software, including MR Elastography, we can quickly and easily identify fat and iron content within the liver, and also liver stiffness. We provide important clinical and prognostic measures for clarification and assessment of diffuse chronic liver diseases. This so-called “Hepatogram” is quick and easy and does not require contrast agent. 
• Precise detection and characterization of focal and diffuse liver, biliary tract and pancreatic diseases..
• MRI’s role has been expanded thanks to functional imaging using hepatobiliary contrast agent.  Likewise, Secretin-MRCP allows functional imaging of the pancreatic gland. Furthermore, our MR Team has established a simple, visual, noninvasive scoring system to predict patient-survival for various liver diseases. This functional noninvasive MRI provides qualitative (visual) and quantitative diagnostic and follow-up for cirrhotic patients, as well as those with chronic liver diseases.  It can also predict liver failure in the pre- and postoperative evaluation of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver metastases. Functional MRI can indicate liver function and predict complicating post-operative liver failure.

Therefore, MRI allows close, noninvasive monitoring of patients after liver transplantation, including survival estimate for the transplant, as well as monitoring for vascular and biliary complications.

The MR team is an important part of interdisciplinary patient care and participates in gastroenterology, hepatology, surgical, oncology, radiotherapy and pathology rounds and tumor boards to develop individualized treatment plans for patients.

Our research focuses on multiparametric MR imaging of liver and pancreas, including contrast-enhanced functional MRI, also evidence- and research-based optimization and development of exam protocols.

Gastrointestinal Radiology is a part of radiology that concerns itself with multi-modality imaging of the digestive tract. This is achieved with various diagnostic techniques, e.g., digital radiographs, ultrasound, CT and MRI.
We work closely with our gastroenterology, surgical and oncology colleagues, in both research and clinical arenas, to diagnose, follow-up and support the treatment of gastrointestinal tract disorders. Weekly interdisciplinary discussions and tumor boards facilitate the exchange of information.
Modern cross-sectional procedures, such as CT or MRI, CT colonography or MR defecography are employed to address specific diseases of the small and large bowel, as well as to capture and characterize motility disorders of the digestive tract.  
Modern techniques and equipment are used to perform complementary exams to address special patient needs or patient-specific questions. Beyond the work-up of oncologic diseases, we focus on assessment of functional and infectious diseases of the digestive tract.

Fluoroscopy is a part of radiology that dynamically employs radiation to depict disease processes, for example a swallowing or defecation disorder in real-time.

The main indications include:

• Swallow x-ray
• Videocinematography in adults, children and neonates
• Follow-up exams after surgical procedures of the gastrointestinal area, e.g., bariatric intervention, anti-reflux operations, and biliary tree with appropriate contrast agents    
• Defecography
• Irrigoscopy
• Placement and localization of probes

Surgeons, head & neck surgeons, gynecologists, and pediatric specialists should be consulted, especially if placing new devices.

Above all, our focus is on fluoroscopy. Functional MRI ranges from real-time imaging of the pelvic floor to phonation- or swallowing-MRI. These modern noninvasive procedures, which in certain patients can simultaneously deliver combined morphologic and functional diagnosis, use no radiation. Currently, our division is the only Austrian centers that offers the swallowing-MRI.

Hybrid imaging combines two imaging methods into a new, efficient modality. Anatomic structural data from the computer tomography (CT)—or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)— is displayed together with functional physiologic or metabolic data from positron emission tomography (PET). According to the clinical query, PET-CT or PET-MRI is performed. The hybrid images are jointly reviewed with specialists from nuclear medicine.

These hybrid exams have established themselves in the last 20 years, considerably improving performance with regards to oncologic, neurologic, cardiologic, and also infectious diseases.  
There are three hybrid PET scanners at the Medical University Wien. Besides a PET-MRI, which is the sole such machine in Austria, two modern PET-CT-machines are available.  One of these machines has wide capability and can also perform the exams more quickly, of particular benefit in children.  

Each week in interdisciplinary conferences and tumor boards, test results are discussed with our clinical partners and individualized treatment plans devised.

Ultrasound, also called sonography, is one of the most used radiology exam techniques. The focus of the General and Pediatric Radiology divisions is abdominal sonography, though many other body parts are also covered.

Ultrasound has many advantages. It does not use radiation, it is not invasive, and is performed in real-time. Typically, ultrasound is confined (limited) to a single area, for example, to look at liver blood flow or narrowing of the blood vessels in the neck.   

Because of ultrasound’s versatility, sonography is a favorite imaging modality of medical students, as well as of several non-radiology physicians. Besides radiology residents, physicians in many other specialties are trained in ultrasound, either during medical school (basic course work, clerkships or clinical year) or during a three-month rotation in radiology. In addition, there is an ultrasound center where a training model allows simulation of various diseases and diagnosis.
Based on our years of experience in ultrasound, modern ultrasound equipment, and close working relationship with other specialists, many clinical queries can be quickly answered.

Pediatric Radiology dedicates itself to diagnostic imaging in children spanning from newborn to adolescence.
Due to significant radiation-sensitivity of children, great worth is placed on diagnostic modalities that use no radiation, e.g., sonography or MRI.
For newborns, sonography is the imaging modality of choice to depict the brain, spine, and hip joints. Abdominal and pelvic organs, joints, soft tissues, vessels and salivary and thyroid glands can be well-evaluated with ultrasound at any age.
If more detailed information is still needed, then MRI, despite the long exam time, is the next modality of choice. Since children must lie quietly if a diagnostic-quality MRI is to be obtained, sedatives can be given. Video entertainment during the MRI exam can reduce the need for sedatives.  

Conventional radiographs, CT and fluoroscopy use ionizing radiation.  

Since computer tomography (CT) uses a higher radiation dose than conventional radiography, CT is only used in special scenarios. If a CT is necessary, we use the lowest possible radiation dose, where the input of the newest CT detector technology, i.e., photon-counting detector, makes it possible to obtain high-resolution detailed images.  Children must also lie on a bed and will be pushed into a relatively short tunnel, if compared to the MRI tunnel. A CT exam is clearly shorter, just a few minutes usually.

With help during fluoroscopy, urinary tract or small bowel function can be evaluated, e.g., micturition cystourography, swallow radiography or small bowel transit.

Radiologic care of children and adolescents requires patience, experience and expertise.  In order to meet the needs of children, the Pediatric Radiology staff are skilled and experienced.

An interdisciplinary team of trauma surgeons, anesthesiologist and radiologists staff the Shock Room 24 /7 to care for the seriously injured. Speed and diagnostic accuracy are essential to administer adequate treatment.     
Therefore, a conventional X-ray machine, ultrasound machine and modern CT which is attached to a rail system, are available.  The patient must not move while the machine is actively scanning him/her.
The exam is tailored to the injury, therefore either a single area or the entire body will be scanned.  In acute polytraumas, .the images will be immediately discussed with the treating physician in the shock room.   

The Shock Room CT is also used to scan inpatients and emergency room walk-in patients, e.g., to follow up a fracture. With dual-energy CT, bone marrow edema, from trauma for example, can be seen.

Inpatients and walk-in patients with bone or joint complaints, and whose fractures were managed conservatively, i.e., not operated, will be imaged in the new x-ray area. Patients with rheumatologic diseases, but other medical and neurological conditions, will be scanned on the latest-generation CT to yield low-dose high-quality images.