Radiology

Nuclear medicine is a medical imaging specialty used to identify and care for particular illnesses using less intrusive measures than extensive testing or surgery. This is done by dispensing a combination of chemicals with radioactive nuclide medicine either intravenously, orally, or the patient may breathe it in.

Nuclear medicine imaging serves to diagnose or care for any anomaly within a patient’s anatomy and its operation during the beginning stages of illness. Patient’s undergoing nuclear medicine should understand the procedure is relatively painless and the exposure to radiation is compatible to that of a diagnostic x-ray.

Southwestern Medical Center’s department of radiology may use nuclear medicine for: bone scans, heart scans, lung scan, muga scans, renal scan, parathyroid scan and thyroid uptake and scan.

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Ultrasound imaging, also called sonography, is an imaging specialty that uses soundwaves to view a patient’s anatomy in real-time. The procedure is nonintrusive and free of iodizing radiation.

Ultrasound may be used in obstetrical, gynecologic, breast, cardiac, abdominal and vascular imaging.

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DEXA imaging, also known as bone densitometry, is the most trusted and effective imaging for diagnosing osteoporosis.

This procedure consists of using a small amount of iodizing radiation to capture measurements of a patient’s Bone Mineral Density (BMD). DEXA imaging is quick and nonintrusive.

Southwestern Medical Center’s department of radiology employs a state of the art Lunar DPX Alpha densitometer to identify patient’s bone health.

A CT scan, also called CAT scan, creates imaging of the body used in identifying internal illness and injuries. The procedure involves simultaneous specialized x-rays that are then pieced together by a computer to allow medical providers a full view of the affected area.

CT scans are beneficial in identifying tumors, hemorrhaging and strokes as well as contrasting between gas, fluid, tissue, blood and bone. Patients can expect zero pain during computerized tomography image testing and may expect the use of contrast, intravenously or by swallowing, to assist imaging views.

Southwestern Medical Center’s department of radiology may use CT imaging to explore affected pelvis, chest, neck, head, abdomen and limb areas.

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Magnetic resonance imagining uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images that help medical providers identify abnormalities including strokes, brain tumors, joint damage, infection, tumors, and nervous system disorders without using radiation.

Southwestern Medical Center’s department of radiology utilizes high quality 1.5 Tesla 8 channel MRI technology and requires patients to fill out and provide a screening form prior any MRI procedures.

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