Neuroradiology

The Walton Centre offers the most comprehensive neuroradiology service in the UK. Our vision is to provide the best neuroradiology service in the country. We will do this by providing a service which is state of the art, high quality, timely, efficient and responsive to clinical need.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners

An MRI scanner uses a combination of a strong magnet and radio waves to look inside the body. There are no X-rays involved.

At The Walton Centre, we have five MRI scanners, enabling us to see more patients and undertake highly complex procedures. This includes a state-of-the-art intraoperative scanner donated to The Walton Centre by the Marina Dalglish Appeal. Intraoperative MRI enables surgeons to scan patients during surgery and significantly reduce the need for further operations following the removal of brain tumours.

The department is one of the leading centres nationally in advanced tumour imaging and functional MRI. Highly skilled staff ensure advanced scanning techniques are performed to an extremely high standard.

The MRI department is located within neuroradiology off the main corridor of the Main Building at The Walton Centre. Please let reception know you have arrived.

If your MRI appointment is between 7:45am – 9am or 5pm – 7:30pm please use the outside door next to the ambulance bay. There is a doorbell on the wall to the right of the door. The MRI staff will let you in through here.

For some people it is dangerous to go into a MRI scanner. Please call us on 0151 556 3681 to discuss your scan if you have a pacemaker, any operation clips in your head, any implants, metal in your eyes, claustrophobia (we provide a dedicated claustrophobia clinic to help you to undergo your MRI), or if you could be pregnant.

Before your scan you will be asked to fill out a safety sheet

You will be asked to remove jewellery, watch and wallet (lockers are available in the waiting room). You will be taken to the scanning suite to change into a cotton gown.

You will be asked to lie down on the scanner table and then positioned into the scanner. MRI scanners are quite noisy so you will be given ear plugs.

You shouldn’t feel anything other than slight vibration of the machine. Exams are tailored for each patient, but typically take 30 to 45 minutes.

Depending upon what question you doctor is asking, you might have an injection. Some people shouldn’t have an injection, if you have kidney problems, are diabetic or have had a reaction to dye before, please let us know. The injection is an MRI contrast, which is based upon the element Gadolinium.

The doctor who ordered the test for you will receive the results. This can take up to 14 days.

Contact the MRI Team

MRI appointments team – 0151 556 3677 / 3678
Out-of-hours MRI – 0151 556 3703

Computerised Tomography (CT)

A CT scanner uses X-rays to look inside the body. You do not feel the scan happening. If you are, or may be, pregnant you must tell us. Typically you will be on the scanner for 15 to 20 minutes, though the scan takes only a few minutes. The doctor who ordered the test for you will receive the results. This can take up to 14 days.

The Walton Centre has one of the world's most advanced dynamic volume CT scanners, capable of performing 4D CT angiography and perfusion studies.

X-ray dye contains iodine, which shows up on X-ray based tests. We use Iomeron 350. You will be asked to stay here for 25 minutes after your scan.

For some scans a cannula will need to be inserted to allow a very fast dye injection from a special pump during the scan. For others a small needle will be placed and a syringe of dye given before the scan.

When the dye goes in you may feel a hot ‘flush’ sensation – this is normal. You may feel that you have ‘wet’ yourself – you haven’t.

In rare instances people can have an allergic reaction to the dye. If you have damaged kidneys it can make them worse.

Neuro-intervention

The department is home to one of the largest neuro-intervention centres in the UK. This includes two highly specialised bi-plane angiography suites. The Interventional Neuroradiology Team have been instrumental in developing a new regional stroke service by providing mechanical thrombectomy as the latest treatment in acute stroke. The Walton Centre is also one of the largest Trusts for the treatment of brain aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation.

Fluoroscopy

The Walton Centre is also home to a multipurpose single plane fluoroscopy suite. The Ultimax-i can be used for a range of X-rays but is generally used for fluoroscopy of lumbar punctures, myelography and video swallow procedures.

We are proud to have had the world’s first twin robotic X-ray scanner installed in January 2020. The Multitom RAX system allows lower radiation dose and a high degree of imaging precision.

As a Trust dedicated to Neurosciences, our staff are specialised Neuroradiographers and Neuroradiologists.

The Trust is involved in many international research studies and is at the forefront of pioneering new techniques.

X-ray

Our Multitom RAX system was fitted in January 2020 and was the first twin robotic X-ray scanner in the world.

The Radiology Department provides a general X-ray outpatient service between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. If referred from outpatient clinic you may have immediate access for your examination or you might be given an appointment for a future date.

Depending on the examination, you may be required to change into a gown. You may be asked to remove metal items (jewellery, glasses, hearing aids etc). You will be asked to confirm your details and the area that we have been requested to X-ray.

Contact information

0151 556 3681
wcft.pacdiagnostics@nhs.net

Patient leaflets

Angiogram - Cerebral (Information for patients undergoing a procedure)

Angiogram - spinal

Computed Tomography (CT) scanner

CT perfusion

Dynamic CT myelograms

Mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke

MRI scanner

Myelogram

Consultants