Imaging services

Our radiology department provides access to a full range of services, including:

• Body imaging
• Bone densitometry
• Computerized tomography (CT)
• Fluoroscopy
• Interventional radiography
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Mammography, including 3D mammography
• Musculoskeletal imaging
• Neurological imaging
• Nuclear imaging
• Pediatric imaging
• Positron emission tomography (PET)
• Ultrasound imaging
• X-rays

Radiology is crucial in diagnosing many types of cancer. Our hospital uses X-rays, CT scans, PET scans, ultrasounds, nuclear medicine and MRI scans to help diagnose cancer. These imaging services enable us to see what's happening inside your body without surgery.

Breast imaging

Our dedicated breast imaging center offers screening and diagnostic 3D mammograms, so you have access to the care you need to maintain your breast health. 3D mammograms provide detailed images that help our doctors identify abnormalities more easily and cut back on false positives.

If you have certain risk factors, such as dense breast tissue, you may require additional imaging. This may include a breast ultrasound or breast MRI scan. If you receive a breast cancer diagnosis after a mammogram, you can trust the cancer care team at our hospital to walk you through every step of your diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

To schedule a mammogram, please call (912) 805-6629.

Lung cancer screening

Lung cancer is much more treatable in its earliest stages, so we do everything we can to catch it early and begin treatment. If you meet the criteria, you are eligible to receive a CT scan of your lungs. Screening is a critical tool in the prevention and early detection of lung cancer.

To learn more about lung cancer screening, please call (912) 805-6629.

Our imaging services include an array of dedicated cardiac imaging procedures to help diagnose heart conditions. Our cardiology program includes:

• Echocardiography
• Electrocardiography
• Holter monitoring
• Nuclear cardiology
• Transesophageal echocardiography

Echocardiography

An echocardiogram is a specialized type of ultrasound imaging that closely examines the heart muscle. It provides a view of the heart and its valves, so our doctors can see how your heart is functioning. Echocardiography can help detect conditions such as:

• Atherosclerosis
• Aneurysms
• Cardiomyopathy
• Congenital abnormalities
• Congestive heart failure
• Pericarditis
• Valve disease

Transesophageal echocardiography

A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) gives a more detailed image of the heart compared to the echocardiogram. It provides a clearer image of the heart because the chest wall is not blocking the view.

During the procedure, you will receive intravenous (IV) medications to numb the throat and sedate you. A flexible tube, called a probe, is passed through the mouth into the esophagus. A transducer, which simulates ultrasound technology, is at the end of the probe and provides a clear view of the valves and structure of the heart.

In addition to providing a clear image, a TEE procedure can show us how well your heart is pumping blood.

Electrocardiography

The electrocardiogram (EKG) assesses the electrical activity of the heart. During an EKG, electrodes are placed on the body at specific locations. The electrodes give a graphic representation of the heart's electrical activity.

Holter monitoring

Holter monitoring is a type of EKG that enables your doctor to assess your heart over a longer period of time. If you undergo Holter monitoring, you will wear a portable EKG device that records your heart's activity for a period of 24 to 72 hours.

This type of monitoring helps detects abnormal heart rhythms that may occur sporadically and cannot be found on a normal EKG.

Nuclear cardiology

Nuclear cardiology refers to imaging procedures that use nuclear medicine or radioisotope techniques to study the heart. We perform a radioisotope stress test to determine whether the heart is receiving enough blood.

During the stress portion of the radioisotope test, you may be asked to exercise using a treadmill or bicycle. In certain cases, stress is induced using certain medications. The stress factor will enlarge the blood vessels to the heart. This allows the doctor to measure blood flow using an EKG or radioisotope tracer.

Prior to the procedure, electrodes are attached to your body. As the blood vessels get bigger, the small amount of radiation given off by the radioisotope tracer is detected with a scanning camera. If the heart's valves narrow or the blood vessels do not enlarge, there will be less of the tracer in those areas. Areas that take in less of the tracer identify problem areas.

Two sets of testing are performed, one is your baseline and one is the stress portion.