What Imaging Tests Do You Offer To Patients?

Premier offers a full range of outpatient radiology imaging services, which includes the following:

• MRI
• CT (Computed Tomography)
• Digital Mammography
• X-Ray Imaging
• DXA (Bone Density Testing)
• Ultrasound
• Fluoroscopy

You can learn more about each of these imaging options below:

What Is An MRI? How Does It Work?

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is a non-invasive, safe test that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues within the body. MRI scans are the result of very sophisticated technology that excites and detects changes in the protons of the human body, which respond to the magnetic field created by an MRI machine.

What Is An MRI Used For?

These image tests are often used for disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring. Because MRIs look at organs and tissue structures, they are very helpful in addressing a variety of conditions, from torn ligaments to tumors to spinal cord and brain issues.

What Is A CT Scan?

A CT scan, or computed tomography scan, combines different x-ray measurements at different angles to create cross-sectional images of the bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues inside the human body. CT scan images are more detailed than standard x-rays.

What Can A CT Scan Detect?

CT scans can detect bone, organ, and joint problems, including complex fractures and tumors. These scans can also help healthcare professionals monitor tissue changes due to cancer, heart disease, emphysema, or liver disease. These images are also helpful in quickly showing internal injuries and bleeding.

What's The Difference Between A CT Scan And An MRI? 

The biggest difference is that MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) use radio waves and CT (computed tomography) scans use X-rays. Each imaging technique offers different benefits in specific circumstances, and so each is recommended to patients on an individual, as-needed basis.

What Is A Mammogram?

A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast. Taken with low-energy x-rays, this imaging test is used to examine the human breast for signs of both benign and malignant growths.

How Does Your Digital Mammogram Technology Work?

Premier Medical Associates offer digital mammography technology to our patients. While this test uses the same x-ray technology as standard mammograms, the results are not printed on film. Instead, solid-state detectors are used to record the x-ray pattern passing through the breast. These detectors convert the x-rays that pass through them into electronic signals that are sent to a computer. This allows test results to be easily displayed, stored, and adjusted for contrast and clarity.

What Is An X-RAY?

X-rays are a common imaging test used by medical professionals to evaluate various injuries and conditions. X-rays use small amounts of radiation to create images of your body on specialized x-ray film. Because your bones and other dense tissues will block the radiation, they will look white on the film being used during the test.

The level of radiation exposure is considered safe for most adults; however, pregnant women should alert doctors that they are expecting; X-rays may not be safe for the developing baby without special precautions being taken.

X-rays do not typically cost as much as a CT scan and use different imaging technology than an MRI.

What Are X-Rays Used For?

X-rays can be used to evaluate and diagnose a range of health issues, from tumors to lung issues (i.e. pneumonia) to broken bones.

X-rays are available to both walk-ins and by appointment at Premier Medical Associates.

What Is A Bone Density Test?

A bone-density test (sometimes called a bone mass measurement test) is a specialized way to measure the strength of your bones. This technology is extremely helpful in diagnosing and treating bone loss, i.e. osteoporosis, before a broken bone occurs. These specialized, enhanced x-ray imaging tests are recommended to postmenopausal women and men aged 50 and older. Testing is painless, noninvasive, safe, and fast.

How Does It Work - What Does A Bone Density Test Show?

Bone density tests are used to estimate the density of a patient's bones. The lower your bone density, the greater your risk of breaking a bone. 

Premier Medical Associates utilizes DXA imaging, i.e. dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, to conduct these tests. By using low-dose x-rays with two distinct energy settings, doctors can evaluate a patient's soft tissue amount in comparison to their mineralized bone contents. The result of this equation is what remains is a patient's bone mineral density, and reveals to medical professionals whether or not bone mass is at healthy levels.

What Is An Ultrasound?

Ultrasound scans, or sonography, refer to a scan that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the human body. The sound waves travel through the soft tissues and fluid of the body while bouncing off of its denser components. This creates an image for a medical professional to interpret.

What Are Ultrasounds Used For?

Ultrasounds are best known for their use in the evaluation of fetal development. However, they can also detect problems in the liver, heart, kidney, or abdomen.

What Is A Fluoroscopy?

Fluoroscopy is the study of moving body structures. This imaging technique uses a continuous x-ray beam and allows doctors to look at many body systems, including the skeletal, digestive, urinary, respiratory, and reproductive systems.

What Does A Fluoroscopy Detect?

Fluoroscopy is used in many types of examinations and procedures. It may be used in two key ways:

Purely as a diagnostic tool. Because fluoroscopy provides a continuous x-ray, it can be useful when doctors evaluate moving components of the body. For example, during barium X-rays, fluoroscopy allows doctors to see the movement of the intestines. And during cardiac catheterization, fluoroscopy allows doctors to see the flow of blood through the patient's coronary arteries.

To help physicians carry out various procedures. The “moving x-ray” technology of fluoroscopy can also give doctors a live feed that helps them carry out certain procedures. Examples of this include lumbar puncture procedures, placement of intravenous (IV) catheters, and biopsies.