Diagnostic Imaging

Diagnostic Imaging

For over the last 100 years, X-rays have been used by medical professionals to noninvasively see inside the body. Since this discovery, medical imaging has been used to identify broken bones, pinpoint diseases, direct cancer treatments, determine the gender of an unborn child and much more.

San Jacinto Methodist Hospital is proud to offer our patients the following diagnostic imaging services. Most exams are conveniently performed on an outpatient basis and result in little or no discomfort.

The Most Recent Addition - PET/CT

This year, San Jacinto Methodist Hospital added Positron Emission Tomography (PET) combined with Computed Tomography (CT) to our imaging capabilities. PET scans are an advanced imaging tool that physicians use to pinpoint disease states in the body. A PET scan demonstrated the biological function of the body before anatomical changes take place, while the CT scan provides information about the body´s anatomy, such as size, shape and location. By combining these two scanning technologies, a PET/CT scan enables physicians to more accuratelt diagnose and identify cancer, heart disease and brain disorders.

Digital Mammography

This type of imaging is a low-dose X-ray system used for breast disease screening and diagnosis of early breast cancer. The images can show changes in a breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. During an exam, the breast is compressed to get a quality X-ray picture.

X-ray

One of the oldest types of medical imaging, an X-ray examination uses electromagnetic radiation to create images of your bones, teeth and internal organ. X-rays are generally safe for people of all ages, but women who are pregnant should avoid them as high doses could be harmful to the fetus. X-rays offer medical professionals a quick and effective way to assess bone problems, joint infections, lungs and heart diseases, abdominal pain, dental conditions and more.

Computed Tomography (CT)

During a CT scan, you lie on a table inside a doughnut-shaped machine. An X-ray tube inside the machine rotates around your body and produces detailed images of your internal organs. CT scans create cross sectional images like slices. Doctors use the scans to detect cancer and heart disease, diagnose muscle and bone disorders, detect internal injuries and locate tumors, infections and blood clots.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of your head and body. MRI machines are large cylindrical magnets. A computer processes your body´s responses to the radio waves to generate an image. MRI is incredibly useful in producing high-resolution images of your brain, neck, spinal cord and soft tissues, without exposing the patient to radioactivity. The images are often used to diagnose central nervous system disorders, such as a multiple sclerosis and brain tumors. MRI is also used to help identify disorders of blood vessels and inner ear tissue as well as the lungs, liver, pancreas, kidney and spleen.

Ultrasound

Although most people associate ultrasound with pregnancy and viewing a fetus, this type of examination can also be used to study the heart, diagnose infection and cancer, guide biopsies and treatment of tumors, check the thyroid gland, diagnose gallbladder disease and reveal abnormalities in the scrotum and prostate. During an ultrasound exam, warm gel is applied to the skin and a hand-held device (a transducer) is pressed against the part of the body being examined. A computer composes images from the patterns created by the sound waves.

Bone Densitometry

This exam, also called dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA), uses X-rays to scan your bones as you lie on a table. It measures bone loss and risk for developing osteoporosis (brittle bones). The densitometry machine can calculate the density of bone and creates a chart comparing your bone density to what it should be. These readings can help your doctor create a plan for preventing or treating osteoporosis.

For more information about our diagnostic imaging services, please call 832-556-6300