Hillcrest Hospital Cushing’s imaging services/radiology department offers multi-modality diagnostics with a wide range of imaging examinations done with equipment that provides high-quality digital images. Our radiologic technologists have been formally trained and are registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. The physicians interpreting your examinations are 'radiologists' and are board certified by the American College of Radiology. Interpretation services are available by a radiologist, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our department works closely with the emergency department, surgical services department and other departments within the hospital. Outpatient services are available every day of the week with appointments usually scheduled Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Some of the procedures performed in our imaging services/radiology department are:
- radiology/radiography procedures
- all routine x-rays
- orthopedic exams
- bone surveys
- extremity exams
CT Scans
Enhanced and Unenhanced Computed Tomography (formerly CAT Scans - computerized axial tomography) is performed daily. A CT scan studies the inner workings of your body. This allows the physician to visualize a wide range of body systems.
Potential Sites of CT Scan
- brain/head
- pituitary gland
- sinus
- inner ear
- chest
- abdomen and pelvis
- liver, pancreas, kidney, stomach, intestines, blood vessels, bones
- spine
- CT angiography
Diagnostic Sonography/Ultrasound
- abdomen; liver, pancreas, spleen
- renal
- gallbladder, right upper quadrant
- pelvis, transabdominal and transvaginal
- obstetrical
- obstetrical, gender only
- breast
- scrotum/testicles
- assisted ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies
- extremity masses/soft tissue
Cardiovascular Services
Cardiovascular services include echocardiography with M-mode, 2D, and color flow doppler, stress echocardiography, nuclear cardiology to include treadmill stress testing and/or pharmacological stress testing. Also offered are studies that offer ultrasound evaluation of the carotid arteries in the neck as well as arterial and/or venous evaluation of the upper extremities or lower extremities.
Breast Imaging Department
The breast imaging department includes an American College of Radiology accredited and FDA certified mammography program offering screening and diagnostic mammography. Breast sonography for correlation with or without mammography is also available. Hillcrest HealthCare System offers various breast biopsy options for our patients to consider. The choices range from an open surgical procedure to new minimally invasive techniques. Mammographic or sonographic guided localizations are also performed to help guide the surgeon to the area of interest should open surgical biopsy be the best option. Hillcrest Hospital Cushing offers a minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided breast biopsy system for patients who qualify to have their biopsy performed outside the operating room. Be sure to understand your biopsy options and talk with your doctor to determine the procedure that is best for you.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Instead of using x-rays, MRI uses a powerful magnetic field and radio frequency waves. Many changes in tissue can be evaluated by MRI. This information will give the doctors valuable information that is not available by other diagnostic tests. The body is made up of atoms. These atoms have a magnetic charge. When the body is placed in a strong magnetic field, these atoms tend to line up with the magnetic field. Radio waves (similar to those used for TV) are then sent into the body, which alters the alignment of the atoms. When the radio waves are stopped, the atoms generate a weak radio signal that the machine detects. These radio signals are then put into a computer. The result is an image that looks like the body’s anatomy.
Nuclear Medicine
A diverse range of nuclear medicine procedures are available including:
- hepatobiliary scan
- bone scan
- nuclear cardiology
- lung scan
- thyroid uptake scan
Bone Densitometry
- bone density exam/DEXA scan