Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center's mission is to provide unsurpassed patient care, the most advanced diagnostic imaging technology, and the highest standards of quality.
As you age, do you worry about your strength, brittle bones, and the consequences of a possible fall? A bone density test can provide you and your physician with a better understanding of your bone health and your risk for conditions like osteoporosis. In the video below, learn more about a bone density test, how it measures bone mass, and what the results can tell you about your bone health.
During a bone density test, the patient will lie down fully clothed on a scanning table. A scanning arm will move painlessly over the spine and hip areas. A computer will then process the information collected by the scanning arm and generate a bone quantity number, or T-score. A T-score between 0 and -1 is normal. A T-score between -1 and -2.49 is an indication of low bone mass while a person who receives a T-score of less than -2.5 has osteoporosis. Depending on your score, your physician may recommend certain lifestyle changes or treatment options to help preserve and protect your health.
For more information about bone densitometry, 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.
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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.
Rising in popularity due to its versatility, nuclear medicine provides your physician with the means to detect a variety of medical issues as early as possible. The information that this minimally invasive procedure yields can frequently help doctors reach a more accurate diagnosis and even avert the need for surgery or additional, costlier testing; indeed, nuclear medicine can provide results that may not be achieved with other modes of diagnostic examination.
How it Works
Using minute amounts of radioactive materials, or radiopharmaceuticals, nuclear medicine identifies potential medical problems to help physicians identify and treat disease. Your medical imaging center will administer these materials to the area undergoing diagnostic testing. A specialized camera is then used to track and monitor the substance. The images produced by these cameras can be put into a computer program for your physician to analyze the structure and function of the affected organ.
Who Can it Help?
Nuclear medicine imaging can be used across a range of medical specialties. Imaging centers have been able to practice nuclear medicine within fields as diverse as pediatrics, cardiology, and psychiatry.
What are the Side Effects?
Nuclear medicine imaging is safe and painless. Though radioactive materials are utilized during the procedure, the level of radiation exposure is minimal and comparable to what a patient would typically receive while getting an x-ray. In addition, nuclear medicine is a cost-effective option when compared to more invasive diagnostic practices, such as exploratory surgery.
For more information about nuclear medicine and other forms of advanced medical imaging, 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.
Early detection is one of the keys to combating breast cancer successfully, and mammography is one tool that your physician uses to monitor breast health. A mammography is an x-ray procedure that provides an internal view of breast tissue, which helps your doctor look for signs of cancerous tumors. With digital mammography, which yields a more detailed image than traditional methods, even earlier breast cancer detection and subsequent treatment is possible. If you have not yet received a digital mammogram, talk to your physician or medical imaging center for more information.
Why are regular mammograms important?
Because it can reveal signs of abnormal growths or cells, mammography can help physicians detect signs of cancer before the disease progresses to an advanced stage, increasing the chance of successful treatment. Medical experts recommend that all women over the age of 20 perform monthly breast self-exams at home and that women 40 years of age or older receive an annual breast cancer screening.
What are the advantages of digital mammography?
Digital mammography is similar to film mammography except that the x-rays are converted into electric signals, which can then be displayed on a computer screen. The computer images created by digital mammography can be magnified, reoriented and put through contrast manipulation for a closer evaluation of breast health. Compatible computer programs can also be employed to notify your physician of potential tumors; CAD, or computer-aided detection, can search the images for abnormal masses and growths that may be signs of cancer.
Who is eligible for digital mammography?
Many insurance providers cover mammography examinations. If you are 40 years of age or older, or if you have a family history of breast cancer, talk to your physician to see if digital mammography or more frequent screenings can help to protect your health.
For more information about digital mammography and other forms of advanced medical imaging, 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.
Positron emission tomography, fluoroscopy, nuclear medicine—while the terms alone of diagnostic medicine may sound intimidating enough, many of the procedures themselves are painless and critically important to protecting your health. If your doctor has recommended a diagnostic screening, talk with your physician or screening center to learn more about the test and what you can expect.
Positron emission tomography, more simply and commonly called a PET scan, utilizes a tracer to locate affected cells and organs. This WebMD guide to PET scans provides more information on how the test is performed and how it differs from other tests, like CT scans.
Where traditional x-ray screenings produce still images for your doctor to examine, fluoroscopy uses x-rays to produce moving images of your organs. Read more about fluoroscopy, how to prepare for one, and what to expect after the procedure.
While “nuclear medicine” may sound slightly threatening, it actually describes a field that works to protect your health through medical imaging. This radiology overview of nuclear medicine describes its uses, risks and benefits to help you become a more empowered patient.
For more information about diagnostic imaging, 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.
