What Is This Service?

Not every clinical question can be answered with a standard CT examination.

Customised CT Imaging allows the CT examination to be individually designed around a specific clinical problem, anatomical region or specialist requirement.

At IMPACT Radiology, our radiologists and radiographers can tailor the scan coverage, contrast use, contrast timing, patient positioning, image acquisition and advanced reconstructions according to the question your doctor, specialist or surgeon would like answered.

Where appropriate, our radiologist can discuss the examination directly with your referring practitioner before the scan to determine the most appropriate imaging approach.

Conditions We Commonly Assist With

Complex or Unusual Clinical Problems

• Atypical symptoms or pathology
• Unusual anatomical abnormalities
• Congenital anatomical variants
• Complex multi-system conditions
• Difficult diagnostic problems
• Findings that do not fit a standard imaging pathway

Previous Inconclusive Imaging

A customised examination may be considered when previous imaging has not adequately answered the clinical question.The radiologist can review the previous imaging and determine whether a different CT technique may provide additional information.

Complex Surgical Planning

CT can be tailored to provide detailed anatomical information for surgeons before an operation.

• This may include:
• Thin-section imaging
• Multiplanar reconstructions
• 3D reconstructions
• Detailed bone assessment
• Vascular mapping
• Assessment of anatomical relationships
• Evaluation of previous surgical hardware
• Assessment of complex post-operative anatomy

Vascular Mapping & CT Angiography

Specialised CT angiography can be designed to assess particular arteries or veins and assist with procedural or surgical planning.

Complex Musculoskeletal & Orthopaedic Imaging

• CT can be tailored for:
• Complex fractures
• Joint abnormalities
• Surgical planning
• Joint replacement planning
• Assessment around metallic implants
• Complex bone anatomy
• Detailed 3D reconstruction

At IMPACT Radiology, advanced metal artefact reduction techniques can also be utilised where appropriate to improve assessment around metallic implants and surgical hardware.

Specialist & Surgeon-Directed Imaging

Sometimes a specialist or surgeon requires a very specific anatomical measurement, imaging plane or reconstruction.Our radiologists can work directly with the referring specialist to determine how the CT examination should be performed and reconstructed to provide the required information.

Research & Clinical Trial Imaging

• IMPACT Radiology can provide customised CT imaging for research studies and clinical trials.Our radiologists can work with specialists, researchers and trial coordinators to follow study-specific imaging requirements, including:
• Baseline and follow-up imaging
• Study-specific CT protocols
• Consistent contrast timing and scan parameters
• Tumour and lesion measurements
• Treatment response assessment
• Specialised image reconstructions
• Tailored reporting format

We welcome discussion with research and clinical trial teams to establish appropriate and reproducible imaging protocols.

Why Might My Doctor Request This?

Most CT examinations can be performed using established protocols.

However, some clinical questions require a more individualised approach.

• Your doctor or specialist may request customised CT imaging when:
• A standard CT examination may not adequately answer the clinical question
• Previous imaging has been inconclusive
• A particular organ requires detailed assessment
• A specialised contrast phase is required
• Complex anatomy needs to be demonstrated
• Detailed vascular mapping is required
• Surgery or another procedure is being planned
• Specific measurements or reconstructions are required
• An unusual or uncommon condition is being investigated
• Your specialist would like the examination performed according to particular requirements

Our radiologists can review the clinical question and determine the most appropriate CT technique.

Preparation

• Some customised CT examinations require no special preparation, while others may require:

Fasting

• Intravenous contrast
• Oral contrast
• Assessment of kidney function
• Specific patient positioning
• Other individual preparation

You will be provided with instructions appropriate for your examination.

What Happens During the Scan?

Before the examination, the clinical question and relevant previous imaging are reviewed.

Where necessary, the radiologist may discuss the examination directly with your referring doctor, specialist or surgeon.

The CT protocol is then individually designed to obtain the information required.

• This may involve:
• Adjusting the area being scanned
• Using specialised thin-section imaging
• Performing imaging before and/or after contrast
• Carefully timing images following contrast administration
• Acquiring images in a particular position
• Performing additional targeted imaging
• Generating multiplanar reconstructions
• Producing advanced 3D images
• Using metal artefact reduction techniques where appropriate

The aim is simple: to design the examination around the clinical question rather than trying to fit every clinical question into a standard CT protocol.