Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center

Schedule a Coronary CT Angiogram for a Healthy Heart

A coronary CT angiogram is a minimally-invasive diagnostic imaging test used to “map” your veins, evaluate blood-flow, and assess your risk for coronary artery disease. Before you set up an appointment with your imaging center, read this overview on what you can expect from a coronary CT angiogram, or coronary CTA.

Reviewing Medical History

As with any type of diagnostic imaging procedure, your physician will have you complete a patient medical history questionnaire prior to your coronary CT angiogram. This may include questions on your family medical history, current symptoms of illness, previous surgeries, current medications, and lifestyle. For your own safety, it’s important that you complete the questionnaire to the best of your knowledge.

Preparing for the Exam

It is important to take off all metal objects such as jewelry, hair-clips, eyeglasses, dentures, or hearing aids prior to the procedure, as they may affect the quality of the CT images. If contrast material or dye will be used, your physician may ask you to refrain from food or drink prior to the test. If you’re not given a gown to wear during the procedure, you should dress in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without metal clips or buttons.

During the Procedure

You will be positioned on a CT table and stabilized with pillows or straps. A technician or nurse will then insert an IV, which delivers a small amount of contrast material. The CT table will move through the scanner while the images are recorded. The procedure is painless and can take up to an hour.

If you are suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or obesity, you may be at an increased risk for coronary artery disease. For a coronary CTA, contact SWDIC today to schedule an appointment. Providing the highest standards of service and a patient-centered approach, Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center is a Dallas leader in diagnostic imaging and health screening. Visit us online to find a location near you, or call us today at (888) 530-1053.

Making Sense of Medical Imaging

While the treatments it has introduced have helped to care for patients more safely and effectively, modern medicine can sometimes seem like a bewildering maze of tests, scans, and complicated machinery. If you have been scheduled for one of these tests or treatments, talk to your doctor about your questions, concerns and curiosities. The more you understand about your procedure, the better prepared you will be and the more empowered you will feel. Here is a closer look at some of the diagnostic imaging tests used in modern medicine:

• This profile from MIT provides more information about Raymond Damadian, inventor of the MRI, and how his technology is still being used by doctors today.
• Two of the most commonly performed medical imaging scans are the MRI and the CT scan. To help you understand the differences between these technologies, when they are used, and the types of images they produce, read this ABC News article.
• While new technologies can help doctors better detect signs of disease, they can also cause anxiety in patients who do not know what to expect from their procedures. If you are scheduled to have a digital mammography for the first time, brush up on preparation steps to ensure a smooth and less stressful visit.

If you have questions about diagnostic imaging or the scan you are scheduled for, contact SWDIC today to schedule an appointment. Providing the highest standards of service and a patient-centered approach, Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center is a Dallas leader in diagnostic imaging and health screening. Visit us online to find a location near you, or call us today at (888) 530-1053.

What Are the Guidelines for Getting a Mammogram?

Most women know about mammograms, but many may still be unsure about when and whether or not they need one. At what age should women start scheduling annual breast cancer screenings? Is once a year really enough? Knowing the answer to these questions can help women protect their good health.

Most screening facilities follow the mammogram guidelines put in place by the American Cancer Society. They recommend that women start to receive a yearly mammogram at age 40 and continue this practice unless their doctor recommends more frequent scans. To learn more about mammogram guidelines, watch the short video below.

If you need a mammogram or another type of diagnostic imaging, contact SWDIC today to schedule an appointment. Providing the highest standards of service and a patient-centered approach, Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center is a Dallas leader in diagnostic imaging and health screening. Visit us online to find a location near you, or call us today at (888) 530-1053.

How Does a DEXA Scanner Work?

If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you may have also discussed your care options with your doctor. Because you are at a higher risk for bone fractures, taking steps to treat bone loss and practice preventive care can be of critical importance to your long-term health and independence. If you are unsure of whether or not you are experiencing bone density loss, ask your doctor about a DEXA scan to aid in early detection of this disease. Knowing the status of your bone health can help you find the necessary care to stay mobile and healthy.

What Does a DEXA Scanner Do?

A DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) scanner tests the concentration of minerals in your bones. By measuring mineral density, doctors can determine if you are beginning to lose bone density (osteopenia) or if you have advanced bone density loss (osteoporosis). The scanner uses small amounts of radiation to create images of your bones for doctors to examine.

Are There Different Types of DEXA Scanners?

DEXA scanners generally consist of a table for the patient to lie on and a scanning arm that moves above the body. These bone density scanners are generally used to take images of the spine and hips, which are the areas of major concern with osteoporosis. There are also smaller DEXA scanners that can be used to examine bones in smaller areas, like your hands and feet.

What is the Procedure Like?

Undergoing a DEXA scan is straightforward. As long as your clothing is loose and does not have zippers or buttons, you can wear your own clothes during the scan. For a large scan, you will likely be asked to lie down and remain still for about five minutes while the scan is completed. You should not take any calcium supplements or osteoporosis medication in advance of your scan.

If your doctor has recommended a bone density scan, contact SWDIC today to schedule an appointment. Providing the highest standards of service and a patient-centered approach, Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center is a Dallas leader in diagnostic imaging and health screening. Visit us online to find a location near you, or call us today at (888) 530-1053.

CT Scan vs. MRI: What's the Difference?

Has your doctor recommended a diagnostic imaging procedure? The different types of diagnostic scans can all seem so similar that it may be hard to keep track of the test you have scheduled. For example, MRI and CT scans both capture images of your internal organs and structures, but they go about that process in different ways. Talk to your physician to learn more about your imaging test, and read below for more information about the differences between an MRI and a CT scan.

What is an MRI?

MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging, and the procedure utilizes magnets to create images of your body. Patients are placed inside a tube that contains a large magnet, which works in conjunction with radio waves to form images of your body. These images are very detailed and are used to help doctors locate tumors, bleeding, inflammation, and spinal damage, among other abnormalities. Because an MRI uses powerful magnets, patients who have magnet-sensitive implants or metal implants should not have MRIs.

What is a CT Scan?

A CT scan, sometimes called a CAT scan, uses X-rays to capture images of your internal organs and bones. After taking x-ray images from many different angles and viewpoints, doctors can combine these images to create a 3D interpretation of your body. This scan can also help doctors to locate tumors, monitor progressive diseases, and detect internal injuries. During a CT scan, the patient is moved through the center of a doughnut-shaped imaging machine while lying down. Because CT scans use X-ray radiation to capture images, pregnant women should use an alternate form of diagnostic imaging.

How are they Different?

While CT scans and MRIs produce similar images, they do have some differences. CT scans work much faster, so they are preferred for taking images of moving organs, like the bowels, because there is less blurring. However, MRIs are better at picking up small details and give doctors more factors that they can adjust and control. The ionizing radiation in a CT scan can be a concern if you have had an accumulation of CT procedures, though both procedures are considered very safe.

For more information about the different types of diagnostic imaging tests, contact SWDIC today. Providing the highest standards of service and a patient-centered approach, Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center is a Dallas leader in diagnostic imaging and health screening. Visit us online to find a location near you, or call us today at (888) 530-1053.