What is Diagnostic Imaging?
Diagnostic Imaging or Radiology, provides imaging of inside your body. Diagnostic imaging can obtain images of your tissues, organs, vessels and bones. The function and mechanics of certain areas of the body can also be imaged. These exams aide your physician in seeing what may be happening inside your body to help diagnose and treat you.
How are diagnostic imaging tests performed and how do I prepare?
Each exam in each modality is a bit different from each other. You may be given instructions on eating, drinking or using the restroom before your exam, your physician and the scheduler will explain any instructions needed before the exam. A radiology technologist will be performing the exam and will give you an explanation and any instructions needed during the exam. The technologist will help position you and give instructions during the exam to assure the best images are taken. Depending on the exam, diagnostic imaging procedures can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 90 minutes. You may be asked to change into a gown and remove any jewelry or belongings that may cause a disturbance in the images. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to check in and register, unless otherwise notified. Family, friends, and children are not allowed in the exam rooms (there may be exceptions made for certain exams and circumstances, this is up to the tech’s discretion). If you need to bring kids to your appointment, please bring someone to watch them in the waiting room during your exam.
When will I know my results?
You will receive your results from your ordering physician within a few business days, unless otherwise stated. A radiologist, a doctor who specializes in reading imaging tests, will read and compile a report of the image findings, which will be sent to the physician who ordered the test.
Hours
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Bone Density (DEXA)
DEXA stands for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. A DEXA scan is a high-precision type of X-ray that measures your bone mineral density and bone loss.
CT
A computerized tomography (CT) scan combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around your body to create cross-sectional images (slices) of the bones, blood vessels and soft tissues inside your body.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram, cardiac echo or simply an echo, is an ultrasound of the heart.
Fluoroscopy
Fluoroscopy is a imaging technique that shows a continuous x-ray image of the body.
Mammography
A mammogram is imaging of the breast to detect cancers and other breast abnormalities
MRI
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues within the body.
Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine uses very small amounts of radioactive materials, or radiopharmaceuticals, to examine organ function and structure.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body.
X-RAY
X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to visible light, however, x-rays have higher energy and can pass through most objects, including the body. Medical x-rays are used to generate images of tissues and structures inside the body.
