Get the Picture: Your Guide to Radiology Imaging

GET TH E PICTURE: Your Guide to Radiology Imaging X-Ray ΟΥERYIEW Oldest form of medical imaging in use today Digital X-rays are the quickest and most accurate form WHAT IT'S USED F OR Allows doctors to see fractures, arthritis, joint injuries, and many other issues Imaging of chest, abdomen, hands, arms, legs, feet, and more WHAT TO EXPECT You may need to lie on an X-ray You'll have to hold still so that table for proper positioning the X-ray comes out in focus MRI ΟΥΕRTIE Stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Offers more complete imaging of areas other tools don't show clearly WHAT IT'S USED F OR Diagnosing conditions ranging from cancer to heart disease to joint problems Provides images of the heart, head, spine, abdominal organs, and more WHAT TO EXPECT Exam usually lasts 20-45 minutes with you lying on a sliding table Procedure is painless CT Scan OVERVIEW Stands for Computed Tomography Formerly called a CAT Scan Provides detailed images of body structures including organs, bones, and blood vessels WHAT IT'S USED FOR Helps doctors study all parts of the body, such as the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and extremities Lets doctors study blood vessels, bones, the head, and the spinal cord Aids in the planning of radiation treatments for tumors Shows injuries to internal organs like the liver, spleen, kidneys, and brain WHAT TO EXPECT Typically lasts 5-30 minutes on a special CT table that moves through the scanner Depending on area being examined, you may need to drink a contrast fluid and/or have an IV injection PROVIDED BY: SOUTHWEST"™ DIAGNOSTIC IMAGIN G CENTER www.swdicimaging.com SOURCES: http://www.swdic.com/services/x-ray.php http://www.swdic.com/services/mri.php http://www.swdic.com/services/ct.php http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/com- puted-tomography-ct-scan-of-the-body