Medical Imaging Screenings and Diagnosis

Diagnostic imaging tests

Diagnostic imaging refers to specialized techniques that capture images of the inside of your body so your healthcare team can diagnose, monitor and treat disease and other medical conditions. These images play an important role in creating a care plan for you.

At SCL Health, you and your doctor have access to comprehensive imaging services at convenient locations. Common imaging procedures include:

• CT scan (computed tomography)
• Low-dose CT scan (LDCT)
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
• PET scan (positron emission tomography) – Often done as a PET/CT scan
• Ultrasound
• X-ray

Nuclear medicine

Nuclear medicine is a specialized type of radiology that uses very small amounts of radioactive materials(radiotracers) to examine organ function and structure. Radiotracers give off energy that is detected by a PET/CT scanner and serve as a valuable screening tool for cancer, heart and neurological disorders.

Women’s health imaging

Some imaging screenings and procedures are specific to women’s needs, such as:

• Bone density test (DEXA scan) – Screens for osteoporosis.
• Mammography – Screens for and helps diagnose breast disease.

Heart and vascular imaging

Special imaging techniques, such as ECHO (echocardiogram) and EKG/ECG (electrocardiogram) are used to diagnose heart conditions.

Interventional radiology

A sub-specialty of radiology, interventional radiology uses imaging techniques to guide small instruments into the body for purposes of diagnosis and treatment.