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Diagnostic
Imaging In
recent years, the medical community has greatly
increased it’s emphasis on preventative medicine.
Alerting the public to the warning signs for cancer
and heart disease has greatly improved our
populations’ health. With the public’s increased
awareness of, and access to, the internet, information
and education about health and wellness is readily
available for everyone. Consultants in Radiology, P.A.
is a long-time advocate of patient education from
routine screenings to specific procedures recommended
by a patient’s physician. The information in this web
page is intended to provide general knowledge about
imaging procedures and does not constitute medical
advice.
The imaging procedures you
will find discussed below are: Open MRI, Computed
Tomography (CT), DEXA Scans for osteoporosis, Nuclear
Medicine, and General Radiology (Mammography,
Ultrasound, Fluoroscopy
Open
MRI Consultants
in Radiology, P.A. offers the latest super-conducting
Toshiba Open MRI at it’s Fort Worth facility. Open on
all four sides, patients do not experience a "closed
in" feeling. The superconducting open MRI provides a
"tight homogeneous field" offering images of high
quality. Below you will see answers to the most
frequently asked questions about MRI.
What is an
MRI? Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of the most accurate
imaging modalities available today, allowing
radiologists to visualize the inside of the human body
without the use of ionizing radiation. For many years,
closed MRI units have been the standard in helping
physicians make a diagnosis. These closed MRI units
featured a long tube that the patient would be placed
inside during their procedure. This was often
uncomfortable for many patients due to the "closed in"
feeling and was especially stressful for patients who
suffer from claustrophobia. The newest generation of
MRI units are now open on all four sides which
completely alleviates the "closed in" feeling, while
still providing the physician with the most accurate
information possible to aid in diagnosis.
How Does It
Work? MRI
technology works by using a magnetic field, radio
frequency waves and a computer. When a patient is
placed inside the unit’s magnetic field, water
molecules in the body naturally align themselves. The
MRI unit then uses radio waves to pass through the
body which cause the water molecules to move. The
computer generates these signals into images on a
special film giving a complete picture of the inside
of the patient’s body.
What Is It Like to Have an
MRI? MRI
imaging is painless and non-invasive. As a patient,
you will not see or feel anything. A faint knocking
sound may be heard as the machine processes
information. Patients may choose to listen to music --
even having the option of bringing their own CD’s to
listen to. Most MRI procedures will take less than an
hour. During the exam, you will be in constant contact
with the technologist, and may have a family member or
friend sit beside you for comfort.
Is an Open MRI for
Everyone? Some
medical conditions may prevent you from having a MRI.
An exam cannot be performed on anyone with a
pacemaker, certain cardiac valves, aneurysm clips,
certain types of inner ear implants or anyone that has
metal fragments in their body. The technologist will
carefully go over all these questions with you before
your examination.
Computed Tomography
(CT) For
accurate diagnosis, Consultants in Radiology, P.A.
features the state-of-art spiral double helix scanner.
Unlike conventional CT scanners, this unit acquires
data continually as the patient moves through the
gantry, greatly decreasing scan times. Lung scans with
this unit will last only as long as one breath hold of
20 seconds.
There are 2 new
applications available with this scanner. They are
both now screening tests, one for the heart and the
other for the lungs. Cardiac
Scoring; a screening exam that takes only 20 seconds,
can measure the amount of calcified plaque in the
blood vessels going to your heart. The computer then
calculates the score and can assess your potential
risk for heart disease.
Lung Scans; another
screening exam now available, that can assist in the
early detection of lung cancer in patients who smoke.
With just one 20 second breath hold, this fast scan
can detect the early signs of lung cancer, long before
there are any symptoms.
*PLEASE NOTE: Screening exams and tests may not be
reimbursed by your insurance carrier.
What is
CT? Computed
Tomography imaging (CT) is an accurate imaging
modality that uses x-rays and a computer to create
cross sectional images of the patient. This type of
imaging allows the radiologist to visualize the inside
of the human body one "slice" at a time. These slices,
commonly ranging from 2.5mm to 5.0mm, clearly show
both bone and the underlying tissue. By looking at the
images in sequence, the radiologist can recreate a
three-dimensional picture of the body part being
examined.
What Is It Like To Have a
CT? You will be
comfortably positioned on the unit’s tabletop by the
technologist. During your scan, the only thing you
will see or feel is the tabletop moving back and forth
through the CT gantry. You may also hear the machine’s
gears as you move through the scanner. This type of
examination is completely painless, and the
technologist will be in constant contact with you
during the scan.
Is CT For
Everyone?
Certain medical conditions may exclude you from having
a CT scan. You may also be excluded if you have an
allergy to iodine, or you are breast-feeding or
pregnant.
Dexa Scan for
Osteoporosisb>
Over 25 million Americans are affected by
osteoporosis. Most people have heard of osteoporosis,
but mistakenly associate it exclusively with elderly
women. According to the National Osteoporosis
Foundation, osteoporosis and related bone disorders,
affect 25 million Americans. Of these millions of
Americans, 80% are women, and 20% are made up of men
and children. This disease contributes to more than
1.3 million new fractures of the hip, spine and wrist.
As the first symptoms of this disease do not often
appear until the advanced stages, only a small
percentage of patients have been diagnosed and are
under treatment. With our HOLOGIC QDR-4500 DXA
scanners, imaging technology can provide accurate bone
density measurements, providing critical information
in detecting osteoporosis in its earliest stages.
Bone densitometry
accurately measures the density of the spine, hip and
other bones that are the most frequent fracture sites.
Evaluating bone density using conventional X-ray
techniques does not reveal a problem until an
individual has lost at least 30% of his or her bone
mass, and that’s just too late. Now, with a safe,
painless and non-invasive exam, in a matter of
minutes, we can provide an accurate picture of a
person’s bone density, early enough in the disease to
enable us to make a real difference in the outcome.
The bone mineral density score may be used in
combination with the physician’s assessment of the
patient risk factors (family history, race, body frame
etc.) Then a decision can be made concerning the
appropriate pharmacological therapy, which can prevent
or decrease further bone loss and minimize the
likelihood of future fractures.
What is it like to have a Dexa
Scan? It is a
very simple test; you do not even have to get
undressed unless you have metal zippers or fastenings
near the hip or lower back area. It just takes a few
minutes for the technologist to position you so that
your bone density can be measured in your lower back
and hip area. The computer calculates your score and
from this information the radiologist can diagnose
whether your bones are showing signs of osteoporosis.
When should you have a Dexa
Scan? It is
recommended that patients have a base line Dexa scan
at 45-50 years of age. Then all following exams can be
compared to the first scan to monitor the changes in
the bone density.
Nuclear
Medicine
Nuclear medicine imaging is used when patients need
functional or physiological evaluation. A small mount
of a radio- pharmaceutical or "tracer" is injected
into a patient’s vein to evaluate how certain parts of
the body are functioning. The nuclear medicine gamma
camera picks up the signals from the "tracer" and a
computer translates these signals into images. The
radiologist will study these images and send a report
to the patient’s doctor.
This type of imaging can be used for:
Cardiac nuclear imaging,
also known as a "perfusion scan" evaluates the heart.
It is a way to check the blood flow through the muscle
walls of the heart. A camera scans the "tracer" in the
blood as it passes through the heart muscle. This test
may be done before, during and/or after exercise.
Bone scans can demonstrate
the functioning of bone tissue. They can be used to
demonstrate fractures, degenerative conditions or aid
in the diagnosis of metastases. The triple phase bone
scans are excellent in demonstrating stress or occult
fractures as well as osteomyelitis. Prosthetic
implants such as an artificial hip prosthesis can also
be evaluated.
Thyroid scans evaluate the
function of the thyroid gland. After the
radiopharmaceutical has been ingested, scans are
performed within 6 or 24 hours. Functional scan may be
combined with uptake scans for any number of patient
conditions.
Parathyroid scans are
performed with dual isotopes so that patient movement
and motion are minimized for better image quality.
Liver and spleen
evaluation. The liver and spleen can be assessed by
using both SPECT and planar studies. Hepatobiliary
scans demonstrate liver function, gall bladder
function and can check the biliary duct for
obstruction.
Brain scans can be SPECT
scans or can assess perfusion (blood flow),
inflammation, tumors or dementia. Brain scans aid in
documenting chronic fatigue syndrome, cerebral
vascular accident or infarction.
Gastrointestinal
evaluation, including HIDA scans, can accurately
calculate the time it takes the stomach to empty. This
study provides invaluable information on digestive and
motility disorders.
Lung scans can provide
information on ventilation and profusion in the search
for possible pulmonary emboli.
Kidney scans include
dynamic renograms and renal scans to diagnose renal
arterial insufficiently, pelvic retention or
hydronephrosis.
Evaluation of tumors or
inflammation are designed to fit the patient’s
individual needs. By "tagging" the white or red blood
cells, a thorough evaluation can be obtained.
General
Radiology Under
the heading of general radiology, we have included
information concerning mammograms, ultrasound
(sonography) studies, fluoroscopy and plain x-rays.
Mammography
For many years the American Cancer Society and the
medical community have encouraged the early detection
of breast cancer through yearly mammograms.
Mammography is a safe, reliable imaging technique, and
is an accurate method for analyzing breast tissue.
How Does Mammography
Work?
Mammography uses safe, low doses of x-rays to image
the inside of the breast. The x-rays pass through the
breast and form an image on the x-ray film. Our
radiologists are trained to recognize any abnormality
in the breast tissue. If you have had previous
mammograms, the radiologist will compare those films
with the most recent ones to see if there have been
any changes. As we get older there are natural changes
in breast tissue, but the radiologist will be able to
tell if these changes are due to natural aging, or
whether there is an area that needs further
evaluation.
What is it like to have a
Mammogram? Your
breasts may be examined before your procedure. Your
breasts will be compressed so a highly detailed image
can be produced. This compression is done with a
smooth plastic shield. You can expect to have two or
three images made of each breast. After your
procedure, the radiologist will study the films.
Sometimes it is necessary for more images for further
assessment. A report will be sent to your doctor.
Recommendations for
Mammography The
American Cancer Society recommends:
A baseline mammogram be
performed at age 40. An annual mammogram be performed
every year after 40.
Ultrasound Mammography
How Does It
Work?
Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to form pictures
of your organs. The sound waves pass through the body
and are picked up by a computer, which turns them into
images on a film.
What is it like to have an
Ultrasound? A
non-greasy gel will be applied to the skin in the area
to be examined. This will feel wet but will not harm
your skin or clothes. This gel helps a hand-held
transducer to glide over the body, while collecting
the information needed to form an image on film to be
used for diagnosis.
Doppler
Ultrasound This
type of ultrasound uses sound waves like the general
ultrasound, but specializes in imaging blood flow in
veins and arteries. This procedure is used on the
neck, arms and legs.
What is it like to have a Doppler
Ultrasound? As
in general ultrasound, a non-greasy gel will be
applied to the skin in the area to be examined. This
will feel wet but will not harm your skin or clothes.
This gel helps a hand-held transducer to glide over
the body, while collecting the images needed for
diagnosis. The sound waves bounce off the moving blood
and echo back to the transducer. The echo is
translated into an image that appears on the screen.
The computer directs this information to form an image
on film.
Flouroscopy
This procedure examines the upper or lower digestive
tracks. Ordinarily, x-rays readily pass through this
type of soft tissue, but with the use of barium, the
stomach and small intestine, colon or lower intestine
can be visualized. Using a fluoroscope, the
radiologist can see the barium outline the digestive
tract.
Important!
For any type of radiologic procedure, it is very
important to tell the technologist if you are pregnant
or think that you might be, if you have any allergies,
or any other information you feel is important.
The information in this web
page is intended to provide general knowledge about
imaging procedures and does not constitute medical
advice.
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