Other Image-Forming Investigative Techniques

Procedures under Anaesthetic:  Practical information regarding procedures involving local or general anaesthetic.

Glossary:          What is performed on an outpatients basis, as a day case, or  under hospitalization.

Hysterosalpingography

Hysteroscopy

Laparoscopy

Procedures for men

There are a number of image-forming diagnostic procedures available aside from ultrasound scanning. In this section, we will address the practical organization of those procedures either performed in the CRG, or in other departments in conjunction with your treatment with us.

Hysterosalpingography

A hysterosalpingography involves the injection of an x-ray opaque contrast dye, in order to determine the patency of the fallopian tubes.

Where?

In the radiology department, UZ Brussel, via the entrance in the main building (ground floor).

How?

• You will be referred to the radiology department by your doctor at the CRG.
• You make an appointment in the radiology department at UZ Brussel.
• In preparation for the examination, you will be required to take a number of medications (see hysterosalpingography form).
• At the time of your appointment, go directly to the radiology department.
• The procedure is carried out on an outpatient basis and requires no anaesthetic. Although it is a minor procedure with minimal risks, it is not always a particularly pleasant experience. For this reason, it is preferable that you are accompanied on the way home and do not drive yourself.
• The results of the procedure will be supplied to your doctor at the CRG and then discussed with you.

Hysteroscopy

Reporting to theatre for a hysteroscopy

The camera is intoduced via the vagina

• At the time arranged, you will proceed to the CRG Operating theatres on the first floor (Children's Hospital of UZ Brussel).
• After the procedure, which takes only a few minutes, you will be able to go straight home.
• We recommend that you are accompanied home after this procedure and that you don't drive yourself. 

Therapeutic hysteroscopy - how?
A therapeutic hysteroscopy is performed under either general, or epidural anaesthetic (see general anaesthesia).

In most cases, it is carried out on a day case basis, however, sometimes your surgeon may prefer you to spend the night in hospital following the operation.  

You will receive the instruction form containing all instructions regarding admission to ward VPE03 from the centre. This comprises all the information you will need in preparation for your admission as a day case patient. Registration takes place at the admissions desk in the entrance hall of the Children's Hospital of UZ Brussel;

• In the case of an admission involving one overnight stay or longer, you will need to go to the main admissions desk in the central entrance hall located in the main building;

• you will be allocated a room on one of the following wards:
  • for day case admissions; ward VPE 03 in the CRG (Children's Hospital of UZ Brussel, level +1);
  • for longer admissions; the nursing ward in UZ Brussel (main building, level +4).

Laparoscopy

The laparoscope is inserted through a tiny  incision made at the naval.

The surgeon see's the image on screens.

general information

• A laparoscopy is always performed under general anaesthetic.
• a diagnostic procedure is often combined with a diagnostic hysteroscopy.
• You will receive the instruction form containing all instructions regarding admission to ward VP03. This comprises all the information you will need in preparation for your admission.  

diagnostic laparoscopy

In most cases, you will be allowed home the same day.

• Please register at the admissions desk in the entrance hall, Children's Hospital.
• You will be admitted to ward VP03 within the CRG.
• After the operation, you will be brought back to your room, where you will rest for a few hours.
• You will be discharged the same day.

Therapeutic laparoscopy
In most cases, this involves an overnight stay, the night before the operation.

• Please register at the admissions desk in the main building of UZ Brussel.
• You will be given a room on the Ward on the 4th floor of the main building of UZ Brussel, where you will undergo specific bowel preparations.
• After the operation, you will be brought back to your room. After a few hours rest, you can usually go home on the same day as the operation. In some cases you may be required to stay an extra night, depending upon the extent of the surgery.
• In exceptional circumstances, when being admitted for a therapeutic laparoscopy, you may not be required to come in on the previous evening. In this case, you will need to follow the procedure for diagnostic admissions, as explained above.  

For men

Scrotal ultrasound

In men, medical image forming techniques and procedures do not take place within the CRG, but rather in either  the urology department, or in the radiology department. For procedures in the urology department, it is necessary to register first in the general outpatients department at UZ Brussel, level+1.

How it works

• Your CRG doctor will refer you to the urologist or radiologist.
• At the time of your appointment, go either to the registration desk in the outpatients department (for urology) or in the case of radiology, directly to the department itself.
• The procedures are performed on an outpatient basis either without anaesthetic (transrectal ultrasound), or under local anaesthetic (scrotal ultrasound, flebography, vasography).
• The results of investigations will be forwarded to your doctor at the CRG and then discussed with you.

administration
Please bring your identification label and SIS-card with you to all appointments, together with the letter of referral from your doctor.

Where?

• Transrectal ultrasound: urology department, main building, first floor, UZ Brussel.
• Scrotal ultrasound: urology department.
• Flebography: radiology department, main building, ground floor, UZ Brussel.
• Vasography: radiology department.