Diagnostic Imaging

Diagnostic Imaging Specialties

Diagnostic imaging allows doctors and specialists to examine your body to find out the root causes of medical conditions. Through technology – including CT, MRI, PET, X-rays, and ultrasound — our diagnostic imaging specialists can diagnose the cause of illness, monitor your body and treatment, and screen for diseases like cancer or heart disease. Most imaging tests are noninvasive; some involve limited doses of radiation.

Many of the diagnostic imaging services we provide are listed below:

Exams & Procedures with Our Body Imaging Specialists

Our body imaging specialists diagnose and help treat diseases and conditions (particularly cancer) affecting major body organs and systems, including the lungs, liver, stomach, spine, pelvis, kidneys, colon, pancreas, as well as other structures. A subspecialized body imaging radiologist conducts imaging exams from the throat down to the pelvis. These radiologists use many types of imaging, including MRI, CT, ultrasound and PET/CT to see inside the body in ways never before imaginable.

Body imagers also perform minimally invasive procedures from biopsies and drainages to radiofrequency ablations of tumors to spare the patient from having surgery.

Many of the body imaging services we provide are listed below:

Computed Tomography (CT)

A diagnostic test that, like traditional X-rays, produces multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. CT images of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels typically provide greater detail than traditional X-rays, particularly of soft tissues and blood vessels.

CT Lung Cancer Screening

Screening examinations are tests performed to find disease before symptoms begin. The goal of screening is to detect disease at its earliest and most treatable stage. Lung cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining air passages. Lung cancer that is detected early — before spreading to other areas of the body — is more successfully treated. In lung cancer screening, individuals who have a high risk of developing lung cancer but no signs or symptoms of the disease undergo low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scanning of the chest.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of the body’s internal structures that are clearer, more detailed and more likely in some instances to identify and accurately characterize disease than other imaging methods.

Needle Biopsy – Lung Nodule

Needle biopsy of the lung uses imaging guidance to help locate a nodule or abnormality and remove a tissue sample for examination under a microscope. A biopsy may be necessary when imaging tests cannot confirm that a nodule is benign, or a nodule cannot be reached by bronchoscopy or other methods.

PET/CT

Combines the metabolic activity results of a PET scan with the precise anatomical localization of a CT scan. This allows our physicians to pinpoint the exact location of cancerous tumors within the body.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging uses a transducer or probe to generate sound waves and produce pictures of the body’s internal structures. It does not use ionizing radiation, has no known harmful effects, and provides a clear picture of soft tissues that don’t show up well on X-ray images.

CT Colonography

Less invasive exam that uses low dose radiation CT scanning to obtain an interior view of the colon to examine the large intestine for cancer and growths called polyps.

X-ray & Fluoroscopy

X-ray or radiography uses a very small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the body’s internal structures. X-rays are the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging.

Exams & Procedures with Our Cardiac Radiologists

Our cardiac imaging subspecialists focus on imaging designed to manage heart disorders and assess the structure and function of the heart. They are a vital part of the process used to catch and treat heart disorders in their earliest stages, ensuring the health and safety of the patient.

Common cardiac imaging techniques include cardiac MRI, CT coronary angiography, calcium scoring, SPECT and PET/CT. Cardiac MRI is particularly helpful in determining the extent of a heart attack, delineating between irreversible heart damage and heart tissue at risk of irreversible damage. It can also determine cardiac infections, as well as evaluate blood flow, heart function, valves and defects.

Many of the cardiac imaging services we provide are listed below:

Cardiac MRI

Without using any X-rays or radiation, this exam can help our doctors see the structure and function of the heart muscle.

Chest X-ray

Using small amounts of radiation, this exam produces images of your heart, lungs, blood vessels, airways and the bones of your chest and spine, which helps our doctors view arterial and ventricular size and shape.

Coronary CTA

This non-invasive exam provides detailed pictures of the heart and its surrounding blood vessels, which our doctors use to help determine if plaque buildup has narrowed a patient’s coronary arteries – the blood vessels that supply the heart.

CT

Computed Tomography (CT) is a diagnostic test that, like traditional X-rays, produces multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. CT images of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels typically provide greater detail than traditional X-rays, particularly of soft tissues and blood vessels.

Exams & Procedures with Our Musculoskeletal Radiologists

Our musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging radiologists focus on diagnosing bone and joint abnormalities, including orthopedic, rheumatologic and traumatic conditions. By specializing in musculoskeletal imaging, these physician experts are capable of focusing on additional nuances related to orthopedic and sports medicine injuries.

Our MSK imaging subspecialists work in partnership with primary care physicians, surgeons, sports medicine, orthopedic specialists and more. They interpret a variety of examinations depending on a patient’s needs.

Many of the musculoskeletal services we provide are listed below:

CT

Computed Tomography (CT) is a diagnostic test that, like traditional X-rays, produces multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. CT images of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels typically provide greater detail than traditional X-rays, particularly of soft tissues and blood vessels.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of the body’s internal structures that are clearer, more detailed and more likely in some instances to identify and accurately characterize disease than other imaging methods.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging uses a transducer or probe to generate sound waves and produce pictures of the body’s internal structures. It does not use ionizing radiation, has no known harmful effects, and provides a clear picture of soft tissues that don’t show up well on X-ray images.

X-ray & Fluoroscopy

X-ray uses a very small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the body’s internal structures. X-rays are the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging.

Exams & Procedures with Our Neurological Radiologists

Our neurological imaging subspecialists (neuroradiologists) use a variety of techniques to obtain images of the head, neck and spine. This information is used to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, headaches, hearing loss, multiple sclerosis and brain tumors.

Our neuroradiologists work closely with neurologists, primary care providers, surgeons, neurointerventional specialists and others to provide a coordinated, informed and effective approach to neurological patient care. Neurological imaging procedures include MRI, PET, CT and ultrasound.

Many of the neurological imaging services we provide are listed below:

CT

Computed Tomography (CT) is a diagnostic test that, like traditional X-rays, produces multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. CT images of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels typically provide greater detail than traditional X-rays, particularly of soft tissues and blood vessels.

CTA

CT angiography (CTA) uses a CT scanner to produce detailed images of both blood vessels and tissues in various parts of the body. An iodine-rich contrast material (dye) is usually injected through a small catheter placed in a vein of the arm. A CT scan is then performed while the contrast flows through the blood vessels to the various organs of the body.

MRA

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency waves and a computer to produce detailed images of the major arteries within the body, evaluate blood vessels and help identify any abnormalities. It does not use ionizing radiation (X-rays) and can be performed with or without contrast material.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of the body’s internal structures that are clearer, more detailed and more likely in some instances to identify and accurately characterize disease than other imaging methods.

Myelography

Myelography uses a real-time form of X-ray called fluoroscopy and an injection of contrast material to evaluate the spinal cord, nerve roots and spinal lining (meninges). It is particularly useful for assessing the spine following surgery and for assessing disc abnormalities in patients who cannot undergo MRI.

PET/CT

Combines the metabolic activity results of a PET scan with the precise anatomical localization of a CT scan. This allows our physicians to pinpoint the exact location of cancerous tumors within the body.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging uses a transducer or probe to generate sound waves and produce pictures of the body’s internal structures. It does not use ionizing radiation, has no known harmful effects, and provides a clear picture of soft tissues that don’t show up well on X-ray images.

Exams & Procedures with Our Nuclear & Molecular Radiologists

Our nuclear medicine and molecular imaging subspecialists identify and treat diseases in their earliest stages through the use of small amounts of radioactive material, which is either injected, swallowed or inhaled into the body. This allows specialized equipment to detect the radiation, producing a digitized image of the body’s tissue and organ function, rather than just anatomic structure. These images are often combined with patient anatomy scans, allowing detailed assessment of both form and function.

Nuclear medicine and molecular imaging allows our radiologists to view the body at a cellular level and can help identify many diseases not detectable by other means. These imaging techniques are commonly used to evaluate the gallbladder, liver, thyroid, lungs and heart without surgery. They also facilitate the early diagnosis of numerous diseases including cancer, often before symptoms appear and can even assess the effectiveness of ongoing cancer therapy.

Many of the nuclear and molecular imaging services we provide are listed below:

Bone Scan

Skeletal scintigraphy (bone scan) helps diagnose and evaluate a variety of bone diseases and conditions using small amounts of radioactive materials called radiotracers that are typically injected into the bloodstream, inhaled or swallowed. Because it is able to pinpoint molecular activity within the body, a bone scan offers the potential to identify disease in its earliest stages.

Lymphoscintigraphy

This exam helps evaluate your body’s lymphatic system for disease using small amounts of radioactive materials called radiotracers that are injected into the skin. Because it is able to pinpoint molecular activity within the body, lymphoscintigraphy offers the potential to identify lymphatic disease in its earliest stages.

PET/CT

Combines the metabolic activity results of a PET scan with the precise anatomical localization of a CT scan. This allows our physicians to pinpoint the exact location of cancerous tumors within the body.

Multiple Organ Specific Functional Studies

Other specialized isotopes help us evaluate the shape and anatomy of various organs such as the thyroid, liver, stomach and heart.