State-of-the-Art Technology to Diagnose Medical Issues
DCH Imaging offers a variety of services at three locations: DCH Regional
Medical Center, Northport Medical Center and DCH Imaging at Ruby Tyler Parkway.
Imaging services available at these locations include Angio/Interventional
Radiology, Ultrasound, CT scans, Mammography, MRI, Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT,
bone density (DEXA - at Northport only) and stereotactic needle biopsy,
as well as various portable procedures. Imaging provides methods used
in diagnosis and therapy of a wide range of conditions. The staff at our
Imaging Center is trained to provide education and explanations of the
procedures, respect patient privacy and comfort, and to reassure patients
as they have their imaging tests taken.
You can schedule an outpatient imaging procedure at any of our imaging
facilities by calling 205-759-7300 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Schedule an appointment at 205-759-7300.
Angio/Interventional Radiology
Interventional Radiology is a rapidly growing area of medicine. Interventional
radiologists are physicians who specialize in minimally invasive, targeted
treatments performed using imaging guidance. Interventional radiology
procedures often replace open surgical procedures. They are generally
easier for the patient because they involve no large incisions, less risk,
less pain and shorter recovery times.
Interventional radiologists (IRs) use their expertise in reading X-rays,
ultrasound and other medical images to guide small instruments such as
catheters (tubes that measure just a few millimeters in diameter) through
the blood vessels or other pathways to treat disease percutaneously (through
the skin). These procedures are typically much less invasive and much
less costly than traditional surgery.
Four interventional radiologists provide IR services Monday through Friday
from 6:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and a team is on-call 24 hours a day for
emergencies.
Computerized Tomography (CT scans)
Computerized Tomography produces a precise reconstructed image of a particular
area in the body using radiation. The data may be manipulated to produce
images in many directions, including three-dimensional formations.
DCH Regional Medical Center has four CT scanners. One 64-slice in ED X-ray,
one 64-slice in OP Imaging, one 64-slice and one 16-slice in Inpatient
Radiology. At Northport Medical Center, we have one 64-slice scanner.
At Ruby Tyler Parkway Imaging, we have one 16-slice scanner. CT is staffed
24 hours a day, seven days a week at Regional Medical Center and Northport
Medical Center.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound procedures use inaudible sound to produce images or photographs
of organs or tissue in the body. At the Regional Medical Center, inpatient
ultrasound is staffed seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Outpatient Ultrasound is staffed from 7 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Northport Medical Center Ultrasound is staffed Monday through Friday from
7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 7:30 a.m. until
the work is complete. The 11:00 p.m. through 7:00 a.m. shift is covered
by an Ultrasonographer that covers both Regional and Northport.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRIs use magnetic lenses to produce electronic images of specific structures
in the body, including tissue and blood vessels. DCH Regional Medical
Center and Northport Medical Center have a large, wide-bore unit to better
accommodate larger patients or patients who have difficulty being in confined spaces.
Inpatient MRI at the Regional Medical Center is staffed Monday through
Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from
7:00 a.m. until the work is complete. Outpatient MRI is staffed Monday
through Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Northport Medical Center MRI is staffed Monday through Friday from 7:00
a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 7:00 a.m. until
work is complete.
Ruby Tyler Imaging MRI is staffed Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m.
until 5:00 p.m.
A tech is on-call for emergency exams during all other hours.
Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine “scans” are used to diagnose certain conditions,
including tumors and coronary artery disease. In nuclear medicine procedures,
a radioactive agent is injected into the patient, or inhaled, in order
to make a diagnosis. Nuclear Medicine scanning tests are performed in
the inpatient imaging department from 7 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through
Friday. Outpatient nuclear medicine is staffed from 6:30 a.m. until 3:30
p.m. Monday through Friday. Nuclear Medicine staff are on-call for emergencies
between 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
PET/CT
A PET/CT scan uses radiation, or nuclear medicine imaging, to produce 3-dimensional,
color images of the functional processes within the human body. PET stands
for positron emission tomography. The machine detects pairs of gamma rays
which are emitted indirectly by a tracer (positron-emitting radionuclide)
which is placed in the body on a biologically active molecule. The images
are reconstructed by computer analysis. Modern machines often use a CT
X-ray scan which is performed on the patient at the same time in the same machine.
PET scans can be used to diagnose a health condition, as well as for finding
out how an existing condition is developing. PET scans are often used
to see how effective an ongoing treatment is.
Mammography
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast used to diagnose breast tumors. 3D
Mammography allows physicians to view breast tissue layer by layer. Utilizing
advanced breast tomosynthesis technology, 3D exams are clinically proven
to increase the detection of breast cancers significantly. 3D mammography
finds 20 to 65 percent of the more invasive breast cancers than 2D mammography,
an average increase of 41 percent.
The DCH Outpatient Breast Care Center at DCH Regional Medical Center offers
appointments from 7 a.m. until 4:40 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and
7 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Friday.
Northport Medical Center's Breast Care Center offers appointments from
7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Mammography
Northport Medical Center offers the latest technology for stereotactic
breast biopsy with 3D Affirm Prone Biopsy System and Brevera Imaging System.
This system provides patients the comfort of lying down during their biopsy
procedure—only one small incision required to obtain multiple tissue
samples, which usually requires only a steri-strip. With 3D technology,
the physician can see extremely small lesions and target the area of your
biopsy with precision. Within five seconds of biopsy, your physician can
see the tissue samples on the Brevera Imaging System to ensure adequate
tissue has been obtained for your biopsy.
Bone Density
Densitometry is a low-level X-ray procedure used to assist in the diagnosis
and monitoring of metabolic diseases, such as osteoporosis. Bone Density
or DEXA is only offered at Northport Medical Center, Monday – Thursday
from 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
