Cardiac Ultra Sound

  • 2D Echocardiography - It uses ultrasound to take real time pictures of the heart. It can help diagnose structural and functional problems in the heart. It is not dangerous, and a standard echo TTE has no risks.
  • Stress Echocardiography - A test that helps diagnose heart disease with the help of ultrasound images. Following exercise or other stress to the heart, the images reveal parts of the heart that may not be receiving enough blood or oxygen because of blocked arteries.

CT Scanning

  • Cardiac Calcium Scoring - A cardiac CT scan for coronary calcium is a non-invasive way of obtaining information about the presence, location and extent of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries—the vessels that supply oxygen-containing blood to the heart wall. Calcified plaque is a build-up of fat and other substances, including calcium, and is a sign of atherosclerosis a disease of the vessel wall, which is called coronary artery disease (CAD).

General Ultra Sound

  • Abdominal - An abdominal ultrasound image is a useful way of examining internal organs, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder. Because US images are captured in real time, they can show movement of internal tissues and organs and enable physicians to see blood flow. This can help to diagnose a variety of conditions and to assess damage caused by illness. Ultrasound imaging is used extensively for evaluating the kidneys, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and blood vessels of the abdomen.
  • Breast - A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to make a picture of the tissues inside the breast. A breast ultrasound can show all areas of the breast, including the area closest to the chest wall, which is hard to study with a mammogram. Breast ultrasound does not use X-rays or other potentially harmful types of radiation. A breast ultrasound is used to see whether a breast lump is filled with fluid or if it is a solid lump. An ultrasound does not replace the need for a mammogram, but it is often used to check abnormal results from a mammogram.
  • OB/GYN - Obstetric ultrasound refers to the specialized use of sound waves to visualize and thus determine the condition of a pregnant woman and her embryo or fetus.


  • Digital Mammography - is the process of using low-dose amplitude-X-rays to examine the human breast. The goal of mammography is the early detection of breast cancer, typically through detection of characteristic masses and/or microcalcifications. Mammography is believed to reduce mortality from breast cancer. No other imaging technique has been shown to reduce risk, but breast self-examination and physician examination are considered essential parts of regular breast care.


Interventional Radiology

  • Biopsies - A biopsy is a medical test involving the removal of tissues or cells for examination. The tissue is then usually examined under a microscope by a pathologist, but can also be analyzed chemically.
  • Kyphoplasty - Designed to stop the pain caused by the bone fracture, to stabilize the bone, and to restore some or all of the lost vertebral body height due to the compression fracture. The procedure can be performed under either local or general anesthesia, on multiple levels, out-patient or in-patient, and is viewed as minimally invasive. It is most commonly performed for spinal compression fractures caused by osteoporosis, a condition that weakens the bone, and is also sometimes performed for certain other conditions that may have led to a spinal fracture.


  • Abdominal and Pelvic MRI - Abdominal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the inside of the belly area. It does not use radiation (x-rays).
  • Head and Spine MRI - MRI is the most sensitive exam for brain tumors, strokes and certain chronic disorders of the nervous system such as multiple sclerosis. Current MRI systems can depict brain function, and in this way detect stroke at a very early stage. In addition, it is a useful means of documenting brain abnormalities in patients with dementia and it is commonly used for patients with disease of the pituitary gland. MRI can detect tiny areas of tissue abnormality in patients with disease of the eyes or inner ear.
  • MR Angiography - Angiography is a minimally invasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Angiography uses one of three imaging technologies and, in some cases, a contrast material to produce pictures of major blood vessels throughout the body. It is typically used to examine blood vessels in key areas of the body, including the brain, kidney, pelvis, legs, lungs, heart, neck, and abdomen.

Nuclear Medicine

  • Myocardial Perfusion Imaging -Used to detect areas of decreased or absent blood flow to the muscle of the heart. The exam can take up to 4-5 hours. Preparation includes nothing to eat or drink 3 hours prior to the stress test and no caffeine of any kind after midnight.

    Myocardial Perfusion can also be evaluated using Rubidium-82 in conjunction with a PET/CT scanner.

  • Biliary Scan - Biliary scans are used to check for obstructions within the biliary system and to calculate the function of the gallbladder. An injection of Cholecystokinin is given once the liver, gallbladder, and bowel are visualized. This injection causes the gallbladder to contract. Imaging then continues for 25 minutes. Biliary scans take 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Patient preparation: Nothing to eat or drink for four hours prior to the exam.
  • Bone Scan - Bone scans are used to detect abnormalities within the bones. These abnormalities can range from fractures to metastatic disease. The exam consists of a injection of a radioactive isotope, followed by a waiting period of 3-4 hours, in which the patient is free to leave. The exam can take up to 4-5 hours (including the waiting period after injection). There is no preparation for this exam.
  • Brain Scan - This is used to localize seizure activity within the brain. This exam is usually done under sleep deprived conditions while the patient is admitted to the hospital. The imaging is completed after the patient was injected with the radioactive isotope during a seizure. Imaging takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Patient Preparation: Patient will be asked to stop taking anti-seizure medication once they arrive at the hospital.
  • Breast Sentinel Node Localization - Breast sentinel node localization is a tool to assist surgeons in detection of the sentinel node of the lesion during surgery. The Nuclear Medicine portion of the procedure takes 30 minutes for the injection and after a delay of 90 to 150 minutes another 30 minutes for imaging. Patient Preparation: None.
  • Cisternogram/CSF Leak - Imaging procedure where a small amount of radioactive material is injected into cerebral-spinal fluid (CSF). This is done via a lumbar puncture in radiology under fluoroscopy. The patient is imaged on 3-4 consecutive days to ensure proper flow of CSF. Procedure similar to a cisternogram. After the radioactive material is injected into the cerebral-spinal fluid (CSF), the person is sent to ear, nose, and throat (ENT) for pledgets (small pieces of gauze) which are inserted into the nasal cavity. The pledgets are removed after 4 hours and measured for radioactivity, and imaging will begin. Imaging can take place for up to 3 consecutive days.
  • Gallium Scan - Gallium is used to detect inflammation within the body. It can also be used to detect certain types of tumor, such as non-hodgkins lymphoma. Gallium scans are usually images 24 to 72 hours and could be done for three consecutive days.
  • Gastric Emptying Scan - A gastric emptying study is used to determine the rate in which your stomach digests food. If motility is decreased, Reglan (a medication) may be injected into the patient's blood stream and another image follows 30 minutes later to determine if Reglan is a medication that will help. Gastric emptying scans will take 2 1/2 to 4 hours. Patient preparation: Nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to the exam.
  • GI Bleed Scan - This is to locate a source of intestinal bleeding. An intravenous access is used to draw a small amount of blood. The red blood cells are then tagged to a small amount of radioactive material (takes approximately 25 minutes). The red blood cells are then reinjected into the patient and imaging begins. Imaging can last 1-2 hours with additional views up to 24 hours.
  • Liver/Spleen Scan - This exam is used to evaluate the size of the liver and can also be used to assess for an accessory spleen (small remaining spleen after the removal of a person’s spleen). A small amount of radioactive material is injected into the person’s vein. 15-30 minutes after injection, imaging begins and will last up to 1 hour.
  • Lung Scan - Lung scans can be ordered to detect blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). The lungs may also be imaged to quantify the air flow and blood flow to the lungs. The lung scan for pulmonary embolism can take up to 1 hour. The lung scan for quantification will take 2-2 1/2 hours. There is no patient prep for these exams.
  • Meckel's Scan - Used to determine if the blood in a person’s stools is due to gastro mucosal cells located within the intestines. The cells secrete gastric juices for digestion that can irritate and cause bleeding when these cells are located outside the stomach. After an injection of a radioactive material, imaging begins and continues for up to 1 hour.
  • MIBG Scan - This exam is used to diagnose and localize suspected neuroendocrine tumor. The person receives an injection of I-123 MIBG and returns the next day (approximately 24 hours) for imaging. This imaging session lasts up to 2 hours.
  • MUGA or RNA - This scan is used to calculate the ejection fraction of the left ventricle of your heart. The scan takes 1 hour. Patient Preparation: None.
  • Parathyroid Scan - Parathyroid scans are used to determine and localize parathyroid tissue that is overactive. The scan takes place in two parts with each part lasting approximately 45 minutes with a two hour delay in between. Patient Preparation: None.
  • PET/CT Scan - Positron Emission Tomography or PET scans can be used to detect cancers, viable cardiac tissue, myocardial perfusion and localization of seizures.
  • Renal Scan - These scans are used to determine the function of the kidneys. They can also be use to aid in the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis and for cortical scarring, due to frequent urinary tract infections. The patient is requested to be well hydrated prior to coming in for the scans unless otherwise directed. The exam can last 1-4 hours depending on the type of renal imaging your physician has ordered.
  • Thyroid Uptake/Scan - This exam is used to determine if a person’s thyroid is overactive. A small capsule of radioactive iodide is given to the patient. 4 hours after administration of the capsule the person returns for a series of counts over their neck. This will determine how much of the capsule has been picked up by the thyroid. Imaging then follows. The patient may need to return the next day for an additional series of counts over their neck.
  • White Blood Cell Scan - This is used to detect infection within the body. The person will need to come two consecutive days. On the first day blood will be drawn and the white blood cells will be labeled with a radioactive isotope. Four hours after the blood is drawn, the labeled white blood cells will be re injected. Scanning then takes place the next day. On day 1, the two appointments will take 1/2 hour each. On day 2, the appointment will take 1/2 to 1 hour. Patient Preparation: None


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