Body scans are extremely useful in diagnosing health conditions, but many work better with a contrast dye or other substance. If you ever had to have a CT scan, X-ray, or ultrasound, you may have been required to use a contrast agent. So, what are contrast agents and how are these substances used ... [Read More]
digital imaging
Intravascular Ultrasound
Current advances in medicine have vastly improved the prognosis for a lot of patients with cardiovascular diseases or blocked arteries. The key is early detection. An accurate diagnosis paves the way to more effective treatments. An intravascular ultrasound allows doctors to see inside the blood ... [Read More]
Coronary Catheterization for Heart Patients
Many of us have heard the term “catheter” before. But unless you’re in the medical field or have a friend or relative with a heart condition, few of us know what a coronary catheterization is. This is also often called a cardiac catheterization. Let’s take a look at what happens during the procedu ... [Read More]
Advances and Treatments in Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine is a specialized field of medicine that involves the use of radioactive substances in diagnosing and treating disease. It is especially used in imaging, including single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans, and the use of ... [Read More]
What Exactly Is a PET Scan?
Contrary to what it sounds like, a PET scan isn’t scanning a dog or cat for a microchip. Rather, it is a common way of referring to positron emission tomography, an imaging test that uses a small dose of radiation to show activity at the cellular level in the body. PET scans show not only how an o ... [Read More]
Ultrasound and Pregnancy
An ultrasound is a big step for expecting parents. Knowing that the mother is carrying a little bundle of joy, an ultrasound is an opportunity parents have to get a glimpse of the unborn baby. There are various reasons for having an ultrasound. A pregnant woman can expect to have several ... [Read More]
Angiography and Heart Treatments
An angiogram is a medical diagnostic imaging exam that allows a doctor to view the blood vessels in the body. Coronary angiography – also called cardiac catheterization – is a scan of the blood vessels of the heart. A radiopaque contrast medium is first injected into the bloodstream, and this all ... [Read More]
What is a DEXA Bone Density Scan?
Our bones weaken with age – especially for those at risk of osteoporosis, in which bones become more porous and fragile, increasing the likelihood of fracture. A bone density scan can assess the strength your bones and the likelihood of stress fractures due to osteoporosis. A simple, n ... [Read More]
Diagnostic Tools to Fight Cancer
The successful treatment of cancer rests heavily on a comprehensive evaluation and an accurate diagnosis. An evaluation would include a physical exam, an analysis of the patient’s health history, and diagnostic testing. Accurate diagnostic testing is necessary to confirm the presence of cancer a ... [Read More]
Things You Ought to Know About X-rays
X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation that can pass through the body to produce images of internal organs and bones. X-rays are the most common imaging test referred by doctors, yet for many the thought of having an X-ray leaves them with questions as to the procedure’s safety and accuracy. ... [Read More]
