Radiology

Bi-plane Angiography

The bi-plane angiography unit allows the interventional radiologist to guide their catheters and needles through a small incision to your blood vessels, arteries and organs.

It provides outstanding real-time 3D X-ray images and limits your exposure to radiation.

Procedures performed in the interventional radiology suite include: ablation, angiography, angioplasty and stenting, biliary procedures, drainage, embolization and vena cava filter placement.

Bone Densitometry (DEXA)

Measures the condition and density of your bones to evaluate you for osteoporosis. The bones that are most commonly tested are the spine, hip and sometimes the forearm.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan and Computed Tomography Angiography/Dual-source CT Scan

A non-invasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat many internal conditions. At NCH, we use low-dose, multi-slice CT scanners to create detailed cross-sectional images of your internal organs, soft tissues, bones and blood vessels. 

A dual-source CT scan uses two X-ray sources at right angles to each other. This doubles the speed of the test so you receive less radiation while it also creates sharper images. 

Mammography (Full-Field Digital)/3D Breast Tomosynthesis

A 3D X-ray examination of the breast used to detect and diagnose breast disease; it often can detect a mass or lump before it can be felt. 

Tomosynthesis images multiple layers of the breast in a 3-dimensional (3D) image. Tomosynthesis helps to reduce false positives that mammograms can give and is more accurate than a regular mammogram, particularly in screening for breast cancer in women who have dense breasts.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)

MRI and MRA are tests used to produce two- or three-dimensional images of the structures inside your body, including your blood vessels. They do not require X-ray exposure, unlike computed tomography (CT) scans or angiograms. 

Nuclear Medicine SPECT and SPECT/CT Imaging

These two imaging processes use radioactive materials to help determine the cause of a medical problem based on the function of the organ, tissue or bone. 

SPECT imaging utilizes a special camera and computer to create unique images that pinpoint molecular activity. This type of imaging gives us the potential to identify disease processes at their earliest stages.

SPECT/CT employs two different types of imaging scans (the traditional single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) gamma camera images and CT images). The fusion of these image sets provides the radiologists with more precise information about how the body is functioning along with the anatomic detail of the CT scan.

PET/CT scan

This is an imaging test that uses a radioactive substance called a tracer that looks for disease in the body and is different from MRI and CT scans.

A PET/CT scan includes two parts: a PET scan and a CT scan. The PET scan demonstrates function and what’s occurring on a cellular level while the CT records anatomical X-rays, showing the same area from another perspective.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. The images produced can help diagnose the causes of pain, swelling and infection in the body’s internal organs. Ultrasound may also be used to examine a baby in pregnant women and the brain and hips in infants. It’s also used to help guide biopsies, diagnose heart conditions and assess damage after a heart attack. Ultrasound is noninvasive and does not use ionizing radiation.

Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS)

ABUS uses a wide-field-of-view ultrasound transducer that is placed on your chest to scan the entire breast while you are lying down. This advanced system produces a 3D image that can “see through” dense breasts to reveal areas that the radiologist was not able to view with enough precision on your mammogram.