Diagnostic Services

What is Diagnostic Radiology?

Diagnostic radiology is a medical subspecialty that utilizes various types of non-invasive and minimally-invasive imaging techniques to see inside the human body.

The far-reaching capabilities of diagnostic radiology include X-rays, Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound, CT Scans, MRI scans, Nuclear Medicine, and other technologies to evaluate various regions of the body, and are able to detect subtle pathology even before they produce signs and symptoms of disease.

The images obtained by the imaging exam are interpreted by our board certified subspecialty radiologists, and a report is generated for your own personal physician. This report details the findings and summary impression of the study, allowing your doctor to more precisely diagnosis and treat your condition.

ABOUT OUR INTERVENTIONAL SERVICES

What is Diagnostic Radiology?

Diagnostic radiology is a medical subspecialty that utilizes various types of non-invasive and minimally-invasive imaging to see inside the human body.

The far-reaching capabilities of diagnostic radiology include X-rays, Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound, CT Scans, MRI scans, Nuclear Medicine, and other technologies to evaluate various regions of the body, and are able to detect subtle pathology even before they produce signs and symptoms of disease.

The images obtained by the imaging exam are interpreted by our board certified subspecialty radiologists, and a report is generated for your own personal physician. This report details the findings and summary impression of the study, allowing your doctor to more precisely diagnosis and treat your condition.

Radiology Examinations

Learn more about how the various types of radiology examinations can help quickly and accurately diagnose different medical conditions.

Digital Screening Mammography (2D)

Mammography uses low-dose X-rays to create 2D images of the breast. A radiologist trained to read mammograms studies the images for signs of breast cancer. The American College of Radiology recommend average-risk women to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms at age 40. Mammography can detect cancers at an early stage, when they are smallest, and the odds of survival are highest.

Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (3D)

Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT, also known as 3D mammography) creates multiple images that step through the breast tissue and allow the radiologist to see greater detail and reduce the impact of overlapping breast tissue. The process is performed at the same time as a normal mammogram without differences in the patient experience or time spent. This improvement in visualization can result in fewer patient callbacks and therefore less anxiety during the process.

Breast Ultrasound

Breast ultrasound imaging is a safe, painless, and non-invasive medical test that is used to evaluate and further diagnose areas of concern involving the breast. Breast ultrasound does not replace the need for mammography. Mammogram images are still needed to evaluate the entire breast.

Breast MRI

Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field, radiowaves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of the structures within the breast. Breast MRI is considered a supplemental tool to mammography and/or ultrasound. Breast MRI is beneficial for screening patients who are at elevated risk for breast cancer due to genetic predisposition or strong family history, diagnosing breast implant rupture, staging breast cancer and planning treatment.

Computed Tomography (CT), is a three-dimensional image of the interior of the body that is generated by the computer from a series of cross-sectional images. A CT scan may or may not use iodinated contrast.  If you have an iodinated contrast allergy or problems with your kidneys, be sure to tell the ordering doctor the CT technologist before your exam begins.

Low-Dose Lung Cancer Screening CT

Patients with an elevated risk of developing lung cancer who are currently without symptoms can undergo low-dose Computed Tomography scanning of the chest. This CT scan is designed to detect small nodules that may not be visible on a standard chest x-ray.

Medical insurances will cover lung cancer screening if you are high risk, and Medicare will cover lung cancer screening if you meet the following criteria:

  • Between 55 and 77 years old
  • No signs or symptoms of lung cancer
  • A current smoker or have quit within the last 15 years
  • Have smoked the equivalent of at least one pack a day for 30 years

Fluoroscopy is an x-ray procedure that produces an x-ray “movie,” allowing radiologists to view internal organs in real-time. It is used in many types of examinations and procedures, including barium X-rays, cardiac catheterization, arthrography, lumbar puncture, placement of intravenous catheters, intravenous pyelogram, hysterosalpingogram, and biopsies. Fluoroscopy may be used alone as a diagnostic procedure, or in conjunction with other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging modality that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the body without ionizing radiation. Depending on the symptoms, intravenous gadolinium (non-iodine) contrast or oral contrast may be used. As MRI uses magnetic fields, careful screening is required to assure patient safety while in the MR scanner. You will be asked detailed questions about any metal/metallic devices that could be unsafe such as implants, pacemakers, prostheses, shrapnel, etc.

Nuclear medicine imaging uses small amounts of radioactive materials called radiotracers, which can be injected into the bloodstream, inhaled or swallowed. The radiotracer travels through the area being examined and gives off energy in the form of gamma rays which are detected by a special camera and a computer to create images of the inside of your body. Nuclear medicine imaging provides unique information that often cannot be obtained using other imaging procedures and offers the potential to identify disease in its earliest stages.

PET/CT

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) uses small amounts of radioactive materials called radiotracers, a special camera and a computer to help measures important body functions, such as blood flow, oxygen use, and sugar (glucose) metabolism. By identifying body changes at the cellular level, PET may detect the early onset of disease before it is evident on other imaging tests.

Almost all PET scans are performed on instruments that are combined PET and Computed Tomography (CT) scanners. These scans provide images that pinpoint the anatomic location of abnormal metabolic activity within the body. The combined scans have been shown to provide more accurate diagnoses than the two scans performed separately.

Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. It is safe, non-invasive, and does not use ionizing radiation. It is used to help diagnose the causes of pain, swelling and infection in the body and to examine a baby in pregnant women. As ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body’s internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels. It’s also used to help guide biopsies and diagnose heart conditions.

X-ray imaging is the most familiar type of imaging. X-rays, or radiographs, are a painless medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat wide variety of medical conditions. Small doses of ionized radiation are used to generate an image for interpretation.