Overview | Definitions | Research Studies | Business Opportunities
MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging
What is MRI?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sophisticated imaging technology available today. MRI is safe, painless and comfortable. MRI is non-invasive and there are no harmful effects. MRI produces high-resolution pictures using a magnetic field and harmless radio waves with computer technology to produce detailed diagnostic images. For certain studies, the injection of contrast may be necessary to better visualize specific anatomical structures.
What is MRI used for?
MRI allows doctors to view soft tissue (muscles, fat, internal organs, blood vessels, and tendons) and bones without X-Rays or surgery. Radiologists interpret the images and provide information to your physician.
What is the benefit of having an MRI performed?
MRI is often a complementary procedure to other diagnostic exams such as X-Ray, CT scans, or nuclear medicine. MRI test results can provide insightful information that would not otherwise be seen to the naked eye. As a result, MRI can serve as an early detector.
For more information on the topic, refer to www.webmd.com search ‘MRI’
MRA - Magnetic Resonance Angiogram
What is MRA?
Magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) is a type of magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan. MRA provides pictures of blood vessels inside the body without the use of catheters or surgery. MRA’s are safe, painless and comfortable. During MRA, the area of the body being studied is positioned inside an MRI machine. Contrast material is often used during MRA to make blood vessels more clearly visible.
Contrast material, or contrast dye, is a substance used to make specific organs, blood vessels, or types of tissue (such as tumors) more visible on X-rays. Contrast material may also be used during a CT scan, an ultrasound, or an MRI scan.
What is MRA used for?
In many cases, MRA can provide information that cannot be obtained from an X-Ray, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scan. The test is often used to evaluate the blood vessels leading to the brain, kidneys, and legs.
What is the benefit of having an MRA performed?
MRA can detect problems with the blood vessels that may be causing reduced blood flow. With MRA, both the blood flow and the condition of the blood vessel walls can be seen.
For more information on the topic, refer to www.webmd.com search ‘Magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA)’
CT – Computed Tomography
What is CT?
Computed Tomography or CT (sometimes call ‘CAT’ for Computerized Axial Tomography) is a sophisticated diagnostic imaging technique used to view anatomy at different levels within the body.
A CT scan uses X-Rays to make detailed cross-sectional pictures of structures inside of the body. It is used to study many parts of your body, such as the chest, abdomen, pelvis, brain, spine or extremities. It can also take pictures of body organs, such as the liver, pancreas, intestines, kidneys, adrenal glands, lungs and heart and even the spinal cord.
A contrast agent or an iodinated dye may be used to help visualize many of the body organs. You may be asked to drink a contrast agent a few hours prior to your exam or you may receive a contrast agent via IV.
What is CT used for?
CT scans are used for many types of diagnostic procedures. They may be used to examine the head to check for bleeding, tumors, blood clots or signs of stroke. In other parts of the body, CT may be used to distinguish whether a growth is solid or fluid-filled, detect ruptured disks in the spine, determine an organ’s size and shape, and evaluate many types of disease processes.
What is the benefit of having a CT performed?
Since physicians can view the inside of anatomic structures, in a way they never were able to see before, they can detect many conditions in earlier stages, greatly optimizing patient diagnoses.
For more information on the topic, refer to www.webmd.com search ‘CT’
CT Total Body Scanning
Early detection is one of the primary weapons in fighting heart disease, cancer and other serious illnesses. A full-body CT scan can give you advance knowledge of medical issues in your own body before they can be detected otherwise. You can act quickly to prevent advancement of disease or begin treatment well before warning symptoms develop.
A CT of the abdomen and pelvis has the potential to detect life threatening disease such as kidney cancer, adrenal gland tumors, and lesions of the liver.
To read a testimonial about a CT Scan, click here.
If you are interested in the CT Total Body Scan you should speak to your primary care physician and see if this is the best exam for you. If you both think its appropriate then you should contact us at the center and schedule your exam.
Total Body CT’s are not often covered by insurance plans, so we suggest calling your carrier prior to your exam. If it is not covered, you will be responsible for the cost of the exam at the time of your appointment.
For more information on the topic, refer to www.webmd.com search ‘CT’
Lung Screening
What is Lung Screening?
Lung Screening uses high-speed CT scanning for detecting early disease in the lungs. Screening looks for cancer before a person has any symptoms.
What is it used for?
Lung Screening can help find cancer at an early stage and make it easier to treat. CT scans can detect lung cancer tumors earlier and smaller than conventional X-rays.
What is the benefit of having a Lung Screen performed?
Research indicates that when lung cancer is diagnosed/detected in an early-stage and surgery is possible, the five-year survival rates can reach 85%. If cancer is found early, treatment may be effective with surgery, radiation, drug therapy, or a combination of approaches.
An estimated 350,000 Americans are living with lung cancer. (lungusa.org) Lung cancer is predominately a disease of the elderly, but can still affect younger non-smoking adults. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women in the United States.
If you are interested in the Lung Screening Exam you should speak to your primary care physician and see if this is the best exam for you. If you both think its appropriate then you should contact us at the center and schedule your exam.
Lung Screening is not often covered by insurance plans, so we suggest calling your carrier prior to your exam. If it is not covered, you will be responsible for the cost of the exam at the time of your appointment.
For more information on the topic, refer to www.webmd.com search ‘Lung Screening’
Cardiac Calcium Scoring
What is Cardiac Calcium Scoring?
Cardiac Calcium Scoring is a high-speed cross-sectional CT imaging technique of the chest that can detect calcifications (plaque) in the coronary arteries. The CT scan is a way to detect coronary calcification from atherosclerosis, before symptoms develop. More coronary calcium means more coronary atherosclerosis, suggesting a greater likelihood of significant narrowing somewhere in the coronary system and a higher risk of future cardiovascular problems. If calcium is present, the computer will create a calcium “score” that estimates the extent of coronary artery disease.
What is it used for?
Cardiac Calcium Scoring results can be used by your primary care physician to evaluate risk for coronary artery disease. Our sophisticated computer program, guided by our radiologist, analyzes the images for presence of calcification within the coronary arteries. Absence of calcium is considered a “negative” exam. But, it does not exclude the presence of “soft” non-calcified plaque which often causes heart attacks.
What is the benefit of having a Cardiac Calcium Scoring performed?
Early intervention may prevent or substantially decrease the risk for developing a heart attack. Presence of calcifications in the heart does not necessarily indicate a heart attack but only that there is potential increased risk for developing one.
Atherosclerosis causes the arteries to become clogged and narrowed, restricting blood flow to the heart. Without adequate blood, the heart becomes starved for oxygen and vital nutrients it needs to work properly.
We suggest discussing the screening with your physician and determining if you are a good candidate for this exam. If you both think its appropriate then you can notify us and we will schedule your exam.
Cardiac Calcium Scoring is not often covered by insurance plans, so we suggest calling your carrier prior to your exam. If it is not covered, you will be responsible for the cost of the exam at the time of your appointment.
Coronary heart disease is the No.1 cause of death in both males and females in America according to the American Heart Association. Some of the risk factors for this disease are high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, age, overweight by 20%, and family history of heart disease, high stress levels, and inactivity. There are many steps you can take to prevent and manage heart disease and live a long, healthy life.
If you are concerned about getting heart disease or are looking out for someone you know that may have these risk factors, contact us and find out if this screening is best suited for you or someone you know.
For more information on the topic, refer to www.webmd.com search ‘Cardiac Calcium Scoring’
X-Ray
What is X-Ray?
X-Ray is a diagnostic procedure that helps to identify abnormalities in bone structure or development. Our X-Ray machine is capable of doing routine X-Rays. We are able to do general X-Rays of the extremities, spine, and chest. Most often they are in conjunction with the patient’s MRI’s.
What is X-Ray used for?
Extremity X-rays are used to:
- Evaluate the cause of pain in an extremity.
- Determine whether your bone is fractured or your joint is dislocated.
- Determine whether fluid has built up in the joint or around a bone.
- Determine whether your bones are positioned properly after treating a fracture or dislocation (such as after placing a cast or splint on an arm or leg).
- Evaluate changes in your bones caused by conditions such as an infection, arthritis, abnormal bone growths (tumors), or other bone disease.
- Locate foreign objects (such as pieces of glass or metal) in your wound.
- Evaluate whether a child's bones are growing normally.
What is the benefit of having an X-Ray performed?
X-Ray confirms or denies injury and allows for proper treatment.
For more information on the topic, refer to www.webmd.com search ‘X-Ray’
Arthrography
What is Arthrography?
An arthrogram is an X-Ray test taken after a contrast material (such as a dye, air, or both) is injected into your affected joint. The injection of contrast takes between 10-20 minutes and has little associated discomfort. After the contrast in instilled, a conventional MRI is obtained to provide images of the joint which is better visualized with the injected contrast.
What is an arthrogram used for?
Arthrography is performed in conjunction with MRI, generally to assess disease in and around the joints (most commonly shoulder, wrist and hip). An arthrogram is used to evaluate persistent, unexplained joint pain, swelling, or abnormal movement of your joint.
What is the benefit of having an arthrogram performed?
The benefit of an arthrogram is that it views the soft tissue structures of your joint—such as tendons, ligaments, muscles, cartilage, and your joint capsule—that can not be seen on a plain X-Ray (without contrast material).
For more information on the topic, refer to www.webmd.com search ‘Arthrogram’
Cardiac Imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging of the heart (Cardiac MRI) is one of the newest applications of MRI.
Advances in MRI technology allow for the assessment of a number of diseases affecting the heart. Most notably MRI is able to assess the function of the heart muscle, evaluating the pumping action. MRI can also evaluate how much of the heart muscle is active after heart attack, otherwise known as cardiac viability. MRI can also aid considerably in the determination of which patients are suitable candidates for valve replacement and in patients with irregular heartbeat it can help determine the cause.
Whether or not MRI will be helpful to you or someone you know requires a thorough physical exam and history from a doctor well versed in heart disease. After this evaluation, they will determine if cardiac MRI will be helpful for further diagnosis.
For more information on the topic, refer to www.webmd.com search ‘Cardiac Imaging’
Breast MRI
Breast MRI, available at MetroWest MRI and West Suburban Imaging, is a test that may be used to distinguish between benign (non-cancerous) and malignant lesions. Performing this test may reduce the number of breast biopsies done to evaluate a suspicious breast mass.
For more information on the topic, refer to www.webmd.com search ‘Breast MRI ’
