Please select from the FAQ menu below:

1. MRI
2. Bone Densitometry
3. Ultrasound
4. Radiography
5. CT

MRI:

Is MRI For Everyone?

Although MRI is an effective diagnostic tool, certain medical conditions will prevent individuals from having an MRI. Please inform your physician and our center personnel at the time of scheduling if you have any of the following:

• Cardiac Pacemaker
• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
• Cochlear Ear Implant
• Metal fragments located in one or both eyes
• Metal fragments or prosthesis within the body
• Pregnancy
• Certain type aneurysm clips

Other certain type of electrical or magnetic activated implants

It is very important that if you are pregnant or there is a possibility of pregnancy, or if you are breast feeding, that your inform your physician and the center personnel prior to your MRI.

If any of these conditions exist, your physician and/or the center radiologist will determine if you can be safely imaged or recommend an alternative diagnostic imaging procedure that can be safely performed for your condition.

How do I Prepare for a MRI?

• We request that you arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled procedure time to complete paperwork and to change clothes if necessary.
• Please wear loose-fitting clothes without zippers or snaps or metal objects. We may request that you change into a clinic gown
• Please bring the written prescription your physician gave you for this procedure plus a photo ID and your insurance card(s).
• You will be requested to complete a detailed MRI screening questionnaire asking certain safety questions. This includes questions relating to pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillator’s (ICD’s), cochlear ear implants, aneurysm clips, metal implants, metallic foreign bodies, pregnancy, breast feeding, body piercing, and tattoos.
• You should take all of your usual medications, but inquire about taking sedation or pain medication prior to your procedure. If you have a fear or anxiety of small spaces or cannot lie still for 30-60 minutes at a time due to pain and/or an anxiety condition.
• If your MRI procedure requires sedation or pain medications, please bring a driver and notify our scheduling department.
• Most MRI procedures do not have eating or drinking restrictions; however, our staff will inform you of any dietary restrictions that my be required at the time your procedure is scheduled.
• No metal objects are allowed in the scan room. This includes, but is not limited to jewelry, watches, credit or bankcards, hairpins, clips or barrettes, wigs, hearing aids, beepers, keys or key chains, and loose pocket change.
• You should remove all eye makeup before your procedure. Some makeup contains metal that may distort the images.
• It is recommended that all body piercing jewelry be removed prior to the procedure. Some body piercing jewelry contains metal that can be a safety concern or can distort the images.
• You will be provided a locker to store your personal items; however, we recommend that you leave al unnecessary valuables at home.
• We strongly encourage you to ask questions and discuss any concerns you may have prior to your procedure. We strongly believe that communication with our patients is an important part of the service we provide.

What Should I Expect During a MRI?

• You may be asked to change into a clinic gown and escorted to the MRI room.
• A MRI technologist will assist you on to the padded exam table and position you for the procedure.
• During the procedure, you will need to lie as still as possible; movement can cause blurred images requiring the MRI technologist to repeat part of the procedure.
• You will hear knocking sounds during the procedure. Earplugs, headphones, or music will be provided for your comfort.
• The MRI technologist will be in constant communication with you during the procedure using a two-way microphone system.
• For your comfort, blankets and/or pillows will be provided upon request. The MRI exam room is typically cool in order to ensure that the computer system operates properly.
• Some patients may require an intravenous injection of a contrast material to enhance the visibility of certain tissues or blood vessels.
• Our goal is to provide you with a pleasant and comfortable MRI procedure. If you are uncomfortable in any way, please inform your MRI technologist.

How long will the MRI Procedure Take?

A typical MRI procedure will last 30-60 minutes depending on the specific procedure requested by your physician.

When do I get my MRI Results?

Our certified MRI technologist will prepare your MRI Images for the radiologist to evaluate. The radiologist will interpret your results and dictate a written report, which will be forwarded to your physician generally within 24 to 48 hours of completion of your procedure. Your physician will convey the results of the MRI to you.

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BONE DENSITOMETRY:

What Is Bone Densitometry and How Does It Work?

Bone Densitometry is a simple and noninvasive procedure that is used to measure bone mass and assist in the diagnosis of osteoporosis.

By utilizing a very low dose of x-rays, the Bone Densitometry machine produces an image of your bones and calculates the strength of the bones.

Is Bone Densitometry For Everyone?

Bone densitometry is a diagnostic procedure that is helpful in detecting osteoporosis and low bone mass in men and women who are usually over the age 50.

How Do I Prepare For the Bone Densitometry Procedure?

We request that you arrive 15-30 minutes prior to your scheduled procedure time to complete paperwork and to change clothes if necessary.

Please bring the written prescription your physician gave you for this procedure.

No special patient preparation is necessary; however, it is recommended that you not wear clothing with buttons, snaps, or zippers from the waist down on the day of the procedure. By wearing pants with elastic waistbands there will be no need to change into a gown for the procedure.

If, within the last 10 days you have had an upper or lower GI or abdominal CT Scan procedure, we recommend that you postpone your Bone Densitometry procedure as the residual barium contrast from the GI or Abdominal CT Scan may interfere with the results.

We strongly encourage you to ask questions and discuss any concerns you may have prior to your procedure. We strongly believe that communication with our patients is an important part of the service we provide.

What Should I Expect During The Bone Densitometry Procedure?

You may be asked to change into a clinic gown and escorted to the Bone Densitometry room.

A radiologic technologist will assist you on to a padded exam table where you will lie during the procedure.

During the procedure a computer will obtain measurement of the hip and spine area. These measurements assist in estimating an individual's risk for fracture.

Our goal is to provide you with a pleasant and comfortable Bone Densitometry procedure. If you are uncomfortable in any way, please inform your radiologic technologist.

How Long Will The Bone Densitometry Procedure Take?

A Bone Densitometry procedure will generally take 10 minutes or less to complete.

When Do I Get My Bone Densitometry Results?

Our certified radiologic technologist will prepare your Bone Densitometry Images and measurements for the radiologist to evaluate. The radiologist will interpret your results and dictate a written report, which will be forwarded to your physician generally within 24 to 48 hours of completion of your procedure. Your physician will convey the results of the procedure to you.

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ULTRASOUND:

What Is An Ultrasound?

An ultrasound is a diagnostic procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to image the body. Unlike an x-ray, an ultrasound procedure does not use radiation. Instead, a small microphone-like transducer is placed on the area of interest. High frequency sound waves are emitted and produce echoes from the internal tissues and organs. The transducer converts the echoes to electric signals to create an image.

Is Ultrasound For Everyone?

Most patients can be imaged using ultrasound. However, due to differences in body frames, size, etc., other diagnostic tools may be necessary in addition to the ultrasound. Further, bones and any structures that contain gas or air cannot be imaged using ultrasound because of the way the sound waves interact with these substances.

How Do I Prepare For The Ultrasound Procedure?

• We request that you arrive 15-30 minutes prior to your scheduled procedure time to complete paperwork and to change clothes if necessary.
• We recommend that you wear comfortable, washable clothing. You may be given a clinic gown and asked to undress from the waist up or waist down.
• Please bring the written prescription your physician gave you for this procedure.
• Always follow the instructions given when your appointment is scheduled. For abdominal or gallbladder ultrasound, do not eat or drink after midnight the night before your procedure.
• For a pelvic or first trimester obstetrical ultrasound, a full bladder is needed to conduct the procedure. Thus, you will be instructed by scheduling personnel to consume approximately 32 ounces of water an hour prior to your appointment time. Typically for all other ultrasound examinations, no special preparations are necessary.
• We strongly encourage you to ask questions and discuss any concerns you may have prior to your procedure. We strongly believe that communication with our patients is an important part of the service we provide.

What Should I Expect During The Ultrasound Procedure?

• You may be asked to change into a clinic gown and escorted to the Ultrasound room.
• An Ultrasound technologist will assist you on to a padded exam table and position you for the procedure.
• The Ultrasound technologist will apply a warm gel to the skin of the examined area. This process enhances the quality of the images.
• A transducer will be placed on the skin and moved around to obtain different images.
• The images will appear on the TV monitor and will be printed on imaging film for review by the radiologist.
• If you are having a pelvic or first trimester OB ultrasound, a special imaging transducer may also be used. This transducer is placed inside the vagina. Using this method, detailed images provide additional information for a more accurate evaluation.
• Our goal is to provide you with a pleasant and comfortable Ultrasound procedure. If you are uncomfortable in any way, please inform your Ultrasound technologist.

How Long Will The Ultrasound Procedure Take?

The length of your ultrasound will depend on the type of procedure your physician has ordered. Abdomen, gallbladder, kidney, pelvis, breast, thyroid, and testicular ultrasounds usually take 30 minutes or less. Obstetrical ultrasounds generally take approximately 45 minutes. Doppler exams, which evaluate the blood flow in your vessels, may last from 45-60 minutes, depending on which blood vessels are studied.

When Do I Get My Ultrasound Results?

Our certified Ultrasound technologist will prepare your Ultrasound Images for the radiologist to evaluate. The radiologist will interpret your results and dictate a written report, which will be forwarded to your physician generally within 24 to 48 hours of completion of your procedure. Your physician will convey the results of the procedure to you.

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RADIOGRAPHY:

Is Radiography For Everyone?

Most individuals can have a radiographic or fluoroscope procedure. However, care must be considered for pregnant females. Women should always inform their doctor and radiologic technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. It is very important that if you are pregnant or there is a possibility of pregnancy or breast feeding that you inform your physician and the center personnel prior to your X-ray procedure. Your physician, in conjunction with the radiologist, will determine if the procedure is appropriate or whether another diagnostic procedure is recommended. Special care is taken during x-ray examinations to ensure patient safety by shielding the abdomen and pelvis with a lead apron, with the exception of those examinations in which the abdomen and pelvis are being imaged.

What Should I Expect During The Radiography Procedure?

• You may be asked to change into a clinic gown and escorted to the Radiography room.
• For radiographic procedures, a radiologic technologist will assist you on to the padded exam table or in a chair and a film cassette (plastic plate) is placed under the table or directly under the area of the body to be imaged. Sandbags, sponges, or pillows may be used to help hold you in the proper position.
• The radiologic technologist will exit the procedure room to an adjacent room and instruct you to hold very still without moving and/or breathing for a few seconds when the x-ray is taken.
• The radiologic technologist will reposition you for additional views, and the process is typically repeated multiple times.
• Our goal is to provide you with a pleasant and comfortable Radiography procedure. If you are uncomfortable in any way, please inform your radiologic technologist.

How Long Will The Radiography Procedure Take?

Usually, a radiographic procedure takes less than 15 minutes, depending on the type of procedure you're having.

When Do I Get My Radiography Results?

Our certified radiologic technologist will prepare your x-ray images for the radiologist to evaluate. The radiologist will interpret your results and dictate a written report, which will be forwarded to your physician generally within 24 to 48 hours of completion of your procedure. Your physician will convey the results of the procedure to you.

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CT:

What Is A CT Scan? 

Computed Tomography (CT or CAT Scan) is a state-of-the-art diagnostic procedure using x-rays that rotate around the patient and produce a series of cross-sectional images of selected parts of the body. Once the scanner has made several of these images, its powerful computer combines part of the different pictures to create cross sectional views of the body. These images provide physicians with an unobstructed look at organs and structures not seen clearly on conventional x-rays.

Our spiral CT provides a volume scan – a short-time CT examination technique that acquires measured data in spiral rotations and with a lower radiation exposure, which results in a faster and safer examination for the patient. We
work hard to ensure that our CT procedures are safe, comfortable and efficient.

What Should I Expect For The CT Procedure?

• You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing or you may be given a gown to wear during the procedure.
• A technologist will position you on the exam table.
• Metal objects including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins may affect the CT images and should be left at home or removed prior to your exam. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work.
• You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for several hours beforehand, especially if contrast will be used in your exam. You should inform your physician of any medications you are taking and if you have any allergies. If you have a known allergy to contrast material, or “dye,” you should inform your doctor and your technologist.
• The test will last about 10-15 minutes