Computed Tomography is better known as CT scan or CAT scan. CT scanning uses highly sophisticated imaging equipment to obtain images that are essentially slices through the body. This is a highly effective way of “seeing inside the body”. CT scanners initially obtained images a slice at a time, and the process was fairly time consuming. Newer CT scanners, called multi-slice or multi-detector scanners, can acquire multiple slices at one time and can even acquire volume images. This allows us to look at pictures of the body in a variety of two-dimensional planes and even as three-dimensional images.

Clinical Radiologists, S.C. (CRSC), has been at the forefront of CT scanning since its inception. At Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, CRSC used the second brain CT scanner operating in the United States. We also had one of the first body CT scanners in the country. We have continued to lead the way, introducing multislice scanning, three-dimensional imaging, and a variety of new applications, such as CT angiography and CT of the heart, to Central Illinois. We have also been leaders in electronic transmission of CT images, so that our radiologists in Springfield can view CT scans from any of our sites, any time, night or day.

All radiologists receive extensive training in interpretations of CT scans during their residencies. CRSC has several radiologists with advanced fellowship training in CT of the nervous system; CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis; CT of the heart and blood vessels; CT of the musculoskeletal system; and pediatric CT.

What preparation is needed?
Some CT scans do not require any special preparation. For other examinations, you will be asked to fast prior to the CT scan. For some abdominal or pelvic CT scans you will be asked to drink water or an oral contrast agent. The oral contrast agent will allow us to evaluate the bowel and some other abdominal structures. Please visit our section on exam preparation for additional information.

What happens during the examination?
You will be positioned comfortably on the scanner table, usually on your back. The picture-taking portion of the scanner looks like a giant donut. The table will slide through the “donut” as images are obtained. For most CT scans you will be asked to hold your breath during the exam. You will need to hold as still as possible, since movement can result in poor quality images.

Many examinations will be performed with the injection of a contrast agent (x-ray dye) through an IV. The dye may cause a warm sensation throughout your body and a metallic taste. The contrast is safe, but reactions do rarely occur. If you have any discomfort other than a warm sensation and metallic taste, let the CT technologist know. The technologist will monitor the first part of the dye injection and will observe the entire exam from the adjacent control room. The contrast agent may not be safe for some patients with kidney disease; you will be given a questionnaire prior to receiving any x-ray dye. If necessary, you may be asked to have a blood test to check kidney function prior to receiving the dye. People taking some oral medicines for diabetes will be asked to withhold those medicines for 48 hours after receiving the contrast. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the contrast agent, the technologist or radiologist can address any concerns.

Click here to view CRSC Interventional Services.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an advanced diagnostic imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency energy to create detailed images of the body. A patient is positioned within a magnetic field. Radiofrequency pulses are used to temporarily alter the magnetic field, generating signal, which allows images to be created. MRI is most commonly used to image the brain, spine and joints. However, MRI is also very useful to generate images of the heart, blood vessels, abdomen, pelvis, and of the breasts. MRI does not use ionizing radiation and the magnetic fields are not known to be harmful.

MRI is performed at most sites served by Clinical Radiologists, S.C (CRSC). The larger hospitals and clinics have fixed magnets that operate daily. Some smaller sites use mobile magnets on trucks that may be available one or a few days per week. 

There are two general types of MRI machines (referred to by radiologists as “magnets”) high field strength and low field strength or “open” magnets. The best images are generally obtained from high field strength magnets since these magnets provide the greatest amount of signal for image creation. The high field strength magnets are relatively enclosed; some larger patients may not fit into these magnets and some patients with severe claustrophobia may be uncomfortable in them. The open, or low field strength magnets will accommodate larger patients and may be easier for some claustrophobic patients. Certain types of exams can be performed only on high field strength magnets.

All radiologists receive training in MRI during their residencies. Several members of CRSC have additional fellowship training for special expertise in different areas of MRI. We have radiologists who are experts in MRI of the central nervous system (brain and spine), MRI of the musculoskeletal system, MRI of the abdomen and pelvis, MRI of the heart and blood vessels and MRI of the breast.

What preparation is needed for the examination?
For most MRI examinations no special preparation is required. For MRI examinations of the abdomen and pelvis you may be asked to fast for several hours prior to the examination. Fasting can decrease the amount of artifact, or image noise, from bowel.

If you are a welder or metalworker, or if you have ever had a metal foreign body in your eyes, you may need to have an x-ray of your eyes prior to having an MRI. If there is a metallic object in the eyeball, you may not be able to have an MRI.

Certain other patients cannot undergo MRI examinations. If you have a cardiac pacemaker, an aneurysm clip in the brain, cochlear implants, a TENS unit and certain other types of implants, stimulators or pacemakers you may not be able to have an MRI.

Metal objects and magnetic objects cannot be taken into the room with the magnet and could interfere with your examination. Therefore you will be asked to remove metal objects such as jewelry, watches, keys and credit cards. For some exams, certain types of eye makeup may have to be removed. If there is any metal in your clothing, you may need to change into a gown for the examination.

What if I am pregnant?
MRI appears to be safe during pregnancy and in fact is sometimes used to generate images of fetuses. However, it seems prudent to avoid exposing fetuses to strong magnetic fields as much as possible. We generally do not perform MRI on pregnant women in the first trimester except in urgent situations. We do more commonly perform MRI on pregnant women in their second and third trimesters, although in some cases the examination may be postponed until after delivery.

What happens during the MRI examination?
The MRI scanner looks like a short tunnel which is open on both ends and has lights and circulating air inside. You will be placed on the scanner table and a radiofrequency coil will generally be put around the area to be imaged. The table then slides into the scanner and the imaging begins. You will generally need to be as still as possible, since movement can result in poor quality images. For some exams you will hold your breath at times and for other exams you will just lie still and breathe normally. Some examinations will require an injection of intravenous contrast or dye. The contrast agent used for MRI is very safe.

The MRI will make a series of loud banging or pounding sounds during the examination. You will be given earplugs to wear and will be allowed to listen to music during the examination. At some sites you may be able to bring a favorite compact disc or cassette tape to listen to during the examination. You will be able to communicate with the technologist at all times during the exam.

What if I am claustrophobic?
Almost all patients can tolerate the MRI examination by listening to music and perhaps covering their eyes with a cloth. Some patients are too anxious in enclosed spaces and require a sedative. If you are very anxious in enclosed spaces, let your doctor know. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a sedative to be taken by mouth prior to the MRI.

We can also provide oral sedatives to patients at several of our facilities. Occasionally a patient needs stronger sedatives and/or pain medicines administered intravenously.

Nuclear medicine is a branch of medical imaging that uses smallamounts of radioactive material to diagnose or treat a variety of diseases, including many types of cancers, heart disease and certain other abnormalities within the body.

Nuclear medicine or radionuclide imaging procedures are noninvasive and, with the exception of intravenous injections, are usually painless medical tests that help physicians diagnose medical conditions. These imaging scans use radioactive materials called radiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers.

Depending on the type of nuclear medicine exam you are undergoing,the radiotracer is either injected into a vein, swallowed or inhaled as a gas and eventually accumulates in the organ or area of your body being examined,where it gives off energy in the form of gamma rays. This energy is detected by a device called a gamma camera, a (positron emission tomography) PET scanner and/or probe. These devices work together with a computer to measure the amount of radiotracer absorbed by your body and to produce special pictures offering details on both the structure and function of organs and tissues.

In some centers, nuclear medicine images can be superimposed with computed tomography (CT) to produce special views. These views allow theinformation from two different studies to be correlated and interpreted on one image, leading to more precise information and accurate diagnoses. In addition, manufacturers are now making single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) units that are able to perform both imaging studies at the same time.

Reference: http://radiology.org

Ultrasound, or ultrasonography, is an imaging technique that uses sound waves to generate pictures of the inside of the body. Very high frequency sound waves are generated by a prove (transducer) and are sent into the body. The sound waves are reflected off tissues in the body, return to the transducer and generate images of the body. Most people are familiar with the use of ultrasound to image fetuses (obstetrical ultrasound). Ultrasound is used to image many other body areas as well, including the neck, abdomen, pelvis, blood vessels, scrotum, prostate gland and parts of the musculoskeletal system. Ultrasound is also used for breast imaging and to aid in performance of invasive procedures such as biopsies. Ultrasound does not involve ionizing radiation.

Ultrasound is performed at all sites served by Clinical Radiologists. At all our sites ultrasound is performed by specially trained technologists, called sonographers, who have passed tests to be accredited and licensed as registered diagnostic medical sonographers. Several of our sites are accredited for the practice of ultrasound by the American College of Radiology. The Ultrasound Department at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield was recently lauded by the American College of Radiology for “an excellent evaluation, textbook-quality images and very thorough criteria for interpretation of vascular ultrasound examinations.” Although we perform general ultrasound at all our sites, certain types of ultrasound exams are available only at certain sites where we have state of the art equipment, technical expertise and specially trained physician members of Clinical Radiologists available to help in performance of the exam.

All radiologists receive extensive training in ultrasound during their residencies. Several members of Clinical Radiologists have additional fellowship level training for special expertise in ultrasound, including general ultrasound, breast ultrasound and use of ultrasound for performing invasive procedures.

What preparation is needed for an ultrasound examination?

For many ultrasound examinations, no special patient preparation is required. For some examinations it is important to be fasting, especially for ultrasound of the abdomen, gallbladder, kidneys, aorta, etc. For pelvic ultrasound and obstetrical ultrasound, you will need to have a full bladder before the exam can be performed.

What happens during the examination?
During the examination, you will lie on a padded table. A warm gel will be applied to the body area to be examined. The sonographer will then move the transducer over the body to acquire images. The transducer is pressed firmly against the skin, but the procedure is generally painless. For some pelvic and obstetrical ultrasound examinations, a specially designed, smaller probe will be gently inserted into the vagina to obtain certain images. For prostate ultrasound a specially designed probe will be inserted into the rectum. These “endocavitary” examinations are generally painless as well.

Although ultrasound examinations are performed by technologists, radiologists sometimes do a brief exam after the technologist. This should not cause alarm and does not mean that there must be a serious problem.

How do I get the results of the examination?
Each examination will be carefully reviewed and interpreted by a radiologist. The report will generally be available to your physician the day of the examination or the next day. The technologist performing the examination will not be able to give you your results.

Our physicians understand the anxiety associated with having an exam and waiting for the outcome. We strive to always provide both you and your physician with prompt, reliable results.

Our radiologists are subspecialty-trained in breast and body imaging with expertise in mammography, ultrasound, MRI, CT, PET and interventional procedures.

X-ray exams, also known as “plain films”, are the most commonly performed imaging examinations. Although not as “high tech” as newer modalities like MRI and CT scans, x-rays remain very important for evaluating conditions such as pneumonia, collapsed lung, fractures and arthritis.

A procedure called fluoroscopy allows x-ray imaging to be performed “real time” like and x-ray video. This allows us to look at portions of the intestinal tract with procedures such as the UGI or barium enema (colon x-ray). An IVP is an x-ray test of the urinary tract performed with injection of an x-ray dye.

Every radiologist is extensively trained in interpretation of plain film x-ray examinations. All of our radiologists interpret x-rays and perform fluoroscopic examinations. High quality x-rays are available at all of the sites Clinical Radiologists serves.

What preparation is needed?
No special preparation is needed for regular x-ray examinations. For special tests like upper GI, enema tests and IVPs, preparation is required. Please visit our section on exam preparation for information.