Imaging Center
When your doctor tells you need to have tests done like an MRI, CT or even a mammogram, many times you’d have to go across town to have it done. Here at Grace Health System®, you never have to leave the building to have them done. The Grace Imaging Center can not only do the simple x-rays to see if your child has broken his arm, but it also does the more complex tests.
One of the most common uses for ultrasound is during pregnancy. It can not only help determine the due date and sex of the baby, but also check for any possible birth defects or other problems. Ultrasound imaging is also used to help diagnose conditions affecting the body’s organs and soft tissues. This technology is also used during certain procedures such as needle biopsies.
The MRI gives your doctor 3D images inside your body to see what may be causing certain conditions. It can help diagnose tumors, aneurysms, spinal cord injuries, and problems with your bones and joints.
A CT Scan takes a series of x-rays of your body at different angles. Unlike traditional x-rays, a CT Scan lets your doctor see your blood vessels, soft tissues as well as bones. Some patients will require a special dye, called contrast, to help certain areas show up on the scan. Your doctor may order a CT Scan to help diagnose an infection, identify tumors, or detect internal bleeding or injuries. CT Scans are also used to monitor cancer treatment.
Mammography is one of the best tools in the early detection of breast cancer. The procedure is painless. It gives your doctor a view of the tissue inside your breasts. Getting regular mammograms can tell your doctor if there are any unusual changes in the tissues. New federal guidelines suggest women 50 and over should have a mammogram every other year, instead of every year. You and your doctor should decide which is best for you.
Bone density tests are used to diagnose osteoporosis or assess your risk of breaking a bone. This test is recommended for women 65 or older, and younger postmenopausal women. It uses x-rays to measure the calcium and other bone minerals packed into an area of bone. The most commonly test bones are hips, spine and forearm.While older women are most at risk of osteoporosis, men are also at risk. Your doctor may recommend a bone density test if you’ve lost height, broken a bone, or if you taken certain drugs.
Nuclear medicine uses a small amount of radioactive substances to help diagnose and treat certain condition and diseases. Specially designed cameras allow doctors to track the path of these radioactive tracers. It’s often used to give your doctor an update on heart disease treatment, such as blocked arteries. It can also be used to help diagnose brain conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. The Grace Imaging Center also has available other testing for cardiological issues. This includes our Echo Vascular Lab and CMIT. With each of the imaging tests, a radiologist will interpret the images and report back to your doctor.
There are several kinds of stress tests doctors use to check the function of your heart. Each gives your doctor a look at how your heart works during exercise and at rest. Your doctor may order Stress Tests to help diagnose heart disease or other heart problems. It can also be used to help develop a treatment plan for coronary conditions.