Radiology

Bone density testing is most commonly used to detect and evaluate the advancement of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Osteoporosis involves a gradual loss of calcium, causing the bones to become thinner, more fragile, and more likely to break.

The DXA machine sends a thin, invisible beam of low-dose x-rays with two distinct energy peaks through your bones. One peak is absorbed mainly by soft tissue and the other by bone. The soft tissue amount can be subtracted from the total and what remains is a patient’s bone mineral density.

Doctors usually focus on bone loss in the spine and hip where most osteoporosis-related fractures happen. During an examination of the spine, your legs will be supported on a padded box to flatten your pelvis and lower (lumbar) spine. To assess your hip, the technologist will place your foot in a brace that rotates the hip inward. You will be asked to lay still while the camera moves over top of the area being scanned.

How long does the exam take?

This test usually takes between 10-15 minutes.

Computed tomography, more commonly known as CT or CAT scanning, is a sophisticated imaging technique that can show anatomy at different levels within the body. During CT imaging, the x-ray source rotates around the patient and each rotation produces a single cross sectional “slice” (like a slice in a loaf of bread). CT allows physicians to see a horizontal piece of the body, as if you were taking a slice of bread out of the loaf.

CT scans are used to diagnose many conditions. When examining the head they may be checking for bleeding, tumors, blood clots, or signs of a stroke. CTs done on other parts of the body may be used to tell whether a growth is solid or fluid-filled, determine an organ’s size and shape, and evaluate many different diseases.

What will happen during the exam?

Different areas of the body require different scanning techniques. Typically, the patient is asked to lie on their back and hold their breath for short periods. An intravenous injection of contrast material (x-ray dye) may be given. If contrast is needed for the scan, bloodwork may be necessary if not done recently.

How do I get ready for a CT scan?

Preparations may be required and will be explained at the time of scheduling.

How long does the exam take?

The procedure usually takes between 30-60 minutes. You may have to wait a few minutes during your scan while the images are being examined. It is important that the pictures contain all necessary information before you are moved from the table.

Mammography is an x-ray that provides the sharpest images available of the breast’s inner structure. The advanced screening capability of a mammogram greatly improves the survival rate of women with breast cancer because it helps the physician to detect much smaller tumors than those that can be felt by self-examinations alone.

The American Cancer Society recommends that all women ages 40 and over have a screening mammogram annually. If you experience a change in your breasts you should contact your physician.

Pocahontas Community Hospital offers a full field digital mammography system, providing patients with optimal breast imaging and comfort. Unlike film-based mammography, digital mammograms produce images that appear on the technologist’s monitor in a matter of seconds. There is no waiting for film to develop, which can mean a shorter wait time for patients. The machine is designed to reduce discomfort often associated with mammography as well as provide detailed electronic images while actually reducing the amount of x-ray dosage the patient receives.

How do I get ready for a mammogram?

You should not use any lotion, powder, or deodorant on your breasts or underarms before your mammogram. If you arrive for your appointment wearing any of the above it is okay, but you may be asked to remove it prior to imaging.

How long does the exam take?

A routine mammogram usually takes between 20 and 30 minutes.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a technology that creates images for a radiologist to interpret from the water in the human body. Giant magnets allow the patient’s body to receive radio waves and “echo” them back. A computer uses the information within the echoes that bounce back from the body to create images. There is no exposure to X-ray radiation when an MRI is performed. The images created are unique to the patient, depicting their anatomy and any disease that may be present. The MRI process is safe and painless.

MRI “sees” right through bone, and clearly pictures soft tissue. MRI is extremely valuable for helping to diagnose brain and nervous system disorders, cancer, and musculoskeletal problems.

Our mobile system provides GE Healthcare’s newest mobile wide bore MRI, the SIGNA Voyager! This machine is designed for patient comfort and high-quality imaging. With a bore size that offers a 36% larger opening area, it helps reduce anxiety and claustrophobia for a more comfortable experience. The table supports up to 550 lbs, and advanced acoustic reduction technology significantly minimizes noise during scans, creating a quieter and more calming environment. Its imaging capabilities provide improved resolution and faster scanning times for more precise diagnostics. Additionally, enhanced software ensures the latest advancements in imaging technology for accurate and efficient results.

What will happen during the exam?

An MRI requires the patient to lie on a table. The area of the body that is being scanned is positioned in the center of the magnet, this determines whether the patient will enter feet or head first. A small device called a surface coil may be placed over or near the body part being scanned to improve images.

How do I get ready for an MRI?

MRI scans require clothing without metal and no metal objects such as jewelry, hair accessories, or body piercings.

How long does the exam take?

An MRI usually takes 30-45 minutes.

Unlike x-rays that produce a structural image of an organ, nuclear medicine scans produce an image of the organ’s function. Images produced by nuclear medicine scans identify what part of an organ is working correctly, and what part is not.

In x-ray and CT exams, radiation is emitted from a machine and passes through the patient’s body. In a nuclear medicine exam, a radioactive material is introduced into the patient’s body, usually by injection, and is then detected by a machine. The amount of radioactive material introduced into the body is carefully measured to reflect the patient’s age, weight, and other variables, so it is very safe. The radioactive material is only inside the body for a very short time because it decays rapidly.

What will happen during the exam?

The radioactive material will be given through an injection in the arm or by swallowing a capsule. How the dose is given is based on the area of the body being examined. The dose of radiation is comparable to a routine x-ray and there are no side effects with the radioactive material given. The patient may be asked to lie or sit in front of the camera.

How do I get ready for a nuclear medicine test?

For many of the exams there are no special preparations required, however if preparations are necessary, they will be explained at the time of scheduling.

How long does the exam take?

Scans range in time from a few minutes to several hours. Some exams require a delay after the material is given before imaging is started to allow the material to collect at the area of interest. 

Ultrasound imaging is great for non-invasively viewing organs and diagnosing a number of conditions, without x-ray radiation. It uses very high frequency sound waves to produce an image of the internal structures of the body. While X-rays use radiation to produce images, ultrasound uses sound waves, which are harmless, even on pregnant women.

A transducer (a small microphone like device) is placed over the area being examined. Sound waves pass through the skin from the transducer. The sound waves bounce off certain organs and tissues in the body. This creates “echoes” that are reflected back through the transducer and onto a monitor. Ultrasound is a useful tool that can visualize organs such as the heart, kidneys, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, pelvic and reproductive organs, thyroid, breast, and blood vessels.

What will happen during the exam?

The patient will be asked to lie down on the exam table and move into different positions during scanning. You may also be asked to hold your breath. A warm gel is applied to the part of the body being imaged and an instrument called a transducer is passed over the area by the sonographer.

How do I get ready?

Some ultrasound examinations require special preparations. These will be explained at the time of scheduling.

How long does the exam take?

An ultrasound exam usually takes between 30-60 minutes.

X-rays help identify disease or injury to different areas of the body. While receiving an x-ray, a small, carefully calculated amount of radiation is directed toward a specific part of the body to produce an image. Images created by x-rays show different features of the body in various shades of gray.

You may be asked to move in different positions in order for us to get the images we need for the best visualization possible.

We have two diagnostic imaging rooms here at PCH so wait time is minimal. We also use CR (computed radiography) so images are on the computer rather than on film providing us with better quality images and less wait time.