Durham Diagnostic Imaging - Independence Park (2023)

FAQs

What is the difference between imaging and diagnostic? ›

The main difference between preventive imaging and diagnostic imaging is the purpose of the image, or why the image was ordered. The purpose of screening images is to discover disease at an early stage so doctors can treat it quickly. The purpose of diagnostic imaging is multifold.

Radiology is a branch of medicine that uses imaging technology to diagnose and treat disease. Radiology may be divided into two different areas, diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology.

Learn more about our five most common modalities for our various types of imaging tests: X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and PET.

An MRI scan can be used to examine any part of the body. The results of an MRI scan can be used to: help diagnose conditions.

No coffee (decaf or regular), caffeine, tea, or chocolate for 24 hours prior to the examination. Nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to the examination. You may have water only. You must arrive in Radiology and be registered 1 hour prior to the examination so that oral contrast can be administered.

CT scans, MRIs and X-rays are all diagnostic tools that allow doctors to see the internal structures of the body. They create images using various forms of electromagnetic energy such as radio waves and X-rays.

MRI scans are one of the most common forms of diagnostic radiology used for testing. Instead of using radiation, MRI machines work by using a magnetic field to create images of objects inside a body.

Both MRIs and CT scans can view internal body structures. However, a CT scan is faster and can provide pictures of tissues, organs, and skeletal structure. An MRI is highly adept at capturing images that help doctors determine if there are abnormal tissues within the body. MRIs are more detailed in their images.

Some of the most common types of diagnostic imaging tests besides X-rays are magnetic resonance imaging tests (MRIs), Computed Tomography scans (CT), and Ultrasound.

Which is better a CT scan or MRI? ›

Magnetic resonance imaging produces clearer images compared to a CT scan. In instances when doctors need a view of soft tissues, an MRI is a better option than x-rays or CTs. MRIs can create better pictures of organs and soft tissues, such as torn ligaments and herniated discs, compared to CT images.

MRIs are considered the superior option because magnets and radio waves provide more detailed imaging than x-rays. However, MRIs are more costly, and the scan takes about 20 minutes for each body area being imaged. CT scans, which are the less expensive option, are more widely used than MRIs.

A CT scan is better for showing bone and joint issues, blood clots, and some organ injuries, while an MRI is better for inflammation, torn ligaments, nerve and spinal problems, and soft tissues. Beyond accuracy, patient comfort is also a variable your doctor will keep in mind. MRI and CT scan machinery are different.

Since the MRI machines are magnets, it is best to not apply deodorants, antiperspirants, perfumes, or body lotions before the examination. These items contain metals that might interfere with the magnetic field inside the MRI machine and cause you to have distorted images and wrong results.

Keep your eyes closed or even wear a blindfold.

It's much easier in an open MRI it's wider than a standard scanner, so patients shouldn't feel any walls touching them.

However, due to the use of the strong magnet, MRI cannot be performed on patients with: Implanted pacemakers. Intracranial aneurysm clips. Cochlear implants.

Can a Radiologist See Breast Cancer from a Mammogram, Ultrasound, or MRI? While breast imaging techniques can find suspicious areas in your breast that may be cancer, they can't tell for sure if cancer is present. A breast biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of cancer.

Diagnostic tests will report back codes for almost all of the major components of your vehicle like the engine, brakes, transmission, and exhaust system as well as the fuel injection system, coolant and air flow, the various sensors throughout your vehicle, and more.

Do not eat or drink 6 hours prior to your exam. If you are on anti-diabetic medication, do not take the medication on the morning of your exam. You can resume medication after your exam has completed. If you are on any other prescribed medication, continue your medication as prescribed by your doctor.

How long does a diagnostic scan take? ›

A standard diagnostic test can take about an hour to an hour and a half. Of course, more complicated issues that require further diagnosis and where components must be removed for access or testing can take 2-3 hours; depending on the severity of the issue or multiple underlying issues.

Do not use deodorant, powder or perfume under the arm or breast area. They may interfere with the quality of the images taken during your procedure.

Computed Tomography (CT)

X-rays. X-rays are among the most commonly used and well-known diagnostic imaging tests. Doctors use them to view the inside of the body.

X-RAY. X-rays are the oldest and most commonly used medical imaging technique. X-rays were discovered in 1895 and first used to image human tissue in 1896. X-rays use ionizing radiation to produce images of a person's internal structure by sending beams through the body.

Do not wear any jewelry including rings, earrings, necklaces, or watches. Wear comfortable clothing without metal zippers or snaps. Remove anything that might interfere with the CT scan pictures such as eyeglasses, dentures, or hairpins. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work.

In a CT scan, dense substances like bones are easy to see. But soft tissues don't show up as well. They may look faint in the image. To help them appear clearly, you may need a special dye called a contrast material.

Chronic back pain or an injury to the spine are among the most common reasons to have a CT scan. A doctor may also order a spinal CT scan to: Evaluate spinal fractures. Assess the condition of the spine before and after surgical procedures.

What You Need to Know. MRI is a type of diagnostic test that can create detailed images of nearly every structure and organ inside the body. MRI uses magnets and radio waves to produce images on a computer.

Radiologists need to read images and see patients.

Is an EKG considered imaging? ›

While not an imaging modality itself, the electrocardiogram (also known as an EKG or ECG) is used in several imaging procedures to monitor heart wave activity or to synchronize the acquisition of data.

The average cost of an MRI can range anywhere from $400 to $12,000, depending on the place of service, health insurance, location, extra medications, the provider, and body part scanned. Health insurance typically covers authorized MRIs.

“They aren't doctors, and while they do know how to get around your anatomy, they aren't qualified to diagnose you.” That is true even though the tech likely knows the answer to your question. Imaging techs administer thousands of scans a year.

The magnetic fields that change with time create loud knocking noises which may harm hearing if adequate ear protection is not used. They may also cause peripheral muscle or nerve stimulation that may feel like a twitching sensation. The radiofrequency energy used during the MRI scan could lead to heating of the body.

An ultrasound (also known as ultrasonography, sonography, or sonogram) helps doctors look for tumors in certain areas of the body that don't show up well on x-rays. Doctors often use this procedure to guide a needle during a biopsy. Ultrasounds are usually quick and most don't require special preparation.

Ultrasounds are routinely used in prenatal care and other procedures such as the removal of gall stones or kidney stones. CT scans are better used for detecting certain cancer tumors or other abnormalities within the body.

For example, an ultrasound cannot show actual structures, only soft tissues. For larger areas of soft tissues, joints, bones, muscles, or cartilage, an MRI is a better diagnostic tool. If the doctor needs a detailed look of the entire arm, hand, or ankle, they typically order an MRI.

There is no recommended limit on how many computed tomography (CT) scans you can have. CT scans provide critical information. When a severely ill patient has undergone several CT exams, the exams were important for diagnosis and treatment.

Generally, an MRI can help your doctor identify what is causing your health issue so that he or she can diagnose you accurately and prescribe a treatment plan. Depending on your symptoms, an MRI will scan a specific portion of your body to diagnose: Tumors. Heart damage.

Fasting prior to contrast-enhanced CT has traditionally been considered necessary due to concerns of nausea and vomiting, which are common acute adverse reactions (AARs).

Is an MRI more thorough than a CT scan? ›

A CT scan uses X-rays, whereas an MRI scan uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves. CT scans are more common and less expensive, but MRI scans produce more detailed images.

The CT offers a much better image and it can be directed precisely at a target area.

Answer: Damaged nerves cannot be seen on a regular X-ray. They can be seen on CAT scan or MRI, and in fact, MRI is recommended for examining details of the spinal cord.

Does an MRI scan show nerve damage? A neurological examination can diagnose nerve damage, but an MRI scan can pinpoint it. It's crucial to get tested if symptoms worsen to avoid any permanent nerve damage.

MRI scans which show soft tissues, such as nerves and discs, are generally preferred over CT scans which show bony elements. Advanced imaging can show exactly which nerve or nerves are being pinched and what is causing the nerve to be pinched.

You should get your results within 1 or 2 weeks. Waiting for results can make you anxious. Ask your doctor or nurse how long it will take to get them. Contact the doctor who arranged the test if you haven't heard anything after a couple of weeks.

Overview. Diagnostic ultrasound, also called sonography or diagnostic medical sonography, is an imaging method that uses sound waves to produce images of structures within your body. The images can provide valuable information for diagnosing and directing treatment for a variety of diseases and conditions.

Medical imaging refers to several different technologies that are used to view the human body in order to diagnose, monitor, or treat medical conditions.

Diagnostic imaging lets doctors look inside your body for clues about a medical condition. A variety of machines and techniques can create pictures of the structures and activities inside your body. The type of imaging your doctor uses depends on your symptoms and the part of your body being examined.

Is medical imaging the same as MRI? ›

Medical Imaging is a type of imaging technology used by Radiologists and may be categorized as a subgroup of Radiology. Commonly used Medical imaging technologies include X-rays, Ultrasounds, CT Scans, MRIs, Mammography.

CT Scan vs. MRI. CT scans and MRIs are both used to capture images within your body. The biggest difference is that MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) use radio waves and CT (computed tomography) scans use X-rays.

X-rays are probably the most common type of medical imaging technique there is. They're often the most preliminary diagnostic tool used for various injuries, illnesses, and conditions, being used to detect everything from fractures to disease progression and treatment efficacy.

CT (computed tomography) scan. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) ultrasound. nuclear medicine imaging, including positron-emission tomography (PET)

While X-rays are the most common form of medical imaging procedures, many people don't know that there are several different types of X-rays.

Invasive diagnostic testing involves puncturing the skin or entering the body. Examples are taking a blood sample, biopsies, and colonoscopies. Non-invasive diagnostic testing does not involve making a break in the skin. Diagnostic imaging procedures are prime examples of non-invasive diagnostic testing procedures.