Diagnostic Imaging in Tarpon Springs

Early detection is key when diagnosing bone loss, as it allows you to begin therapy to help slow bone loss and prevent fractures. A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan (DEXA), also called a DXA or bone densitometry scan, is the most accurate way to diagnose osteoporosis, and women over the age of 65 should have one annually.

A DEXA scan uses two low doses of X-rays — one high energy and one low energy — to measure how much of the X-ray passes through the bone, focusing on the lower spine and hip. People with osteoporosis have a greater risk of breaking these bones, and their condition can predict the likelihood of future bone breaks. The scan is noninvasive and takes only 10 to 20 minutes.

A CT or CAT (computed tomography) scan combines X-ray and computer technology to show highly detailed, 3-D images of any part of the body, including bones, muscles, fat, organs and blood vessels. Scans can also be performed using a contrast solution (either swallowed or injected) to make tissues and vessels more visible.

AdventHealth North Pinellas radiology utilizes advanced 64-slice CT technology that can capture images of a beating heart in five heartbeats, an organ in one second, and perform a whole-body scan in 10 seconds.

This technology results in less radiation exposure for patients and can be used to examine a wider range of conditions - everything from exams of the heart, spine, lungs and colon, to advanced techniques such as angiography, virtual colonoscopy and radiation therapy planning.

We offer innovative diagnostic procedures, including:

Cardiac Imaging

Doctors can capture images of the heart and coronary arteries in just five heartbeats. The quicker exam time offers a more comfortable experience for sick or elderly patients.

Stroke Imaging

When treatment is delivered within the first hour after a stroke, it can provide the best possible outcome for the patient. CT scanning provides the necessary speed and resolution required for rapid imaging of blood vessels in the brain, so doctors can begin treatment as quickly as possible.

Advanced CT Technology

We provide a range of advanced CT-guided techniques that doctors use in both diagnosis and interventional radiology treatments, including:

• Biopsies and abscess drainages
• CT angiography/arteriography
• CT radiation therapy planning
• Image-guided surgeries and pre-surgical planning
• Myelography (spine imaging with contrast solution)
• Virtual colonoscopy
  

An echocardiogram (also called an echo) is a non-invasive test that uses sound waves to create a detailed, moving picture of the heart and valves. This test allows your doctor to evaluate the functioning of your heart, and is used to diagnose and monitor a number of conditions, including:

• Abnormal Heart Valves
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Heart Murmurs
• Infectious Endocarditis
• Pericarditis
• Pulmonary Hypertension

Our radiology team can perform a wide-range of echocardiograms, including:

Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE)

The most common type of echocardiogram is performed by moving the transducer (which picks up the sound waves) to different areas on the outside of your chest or abdomen to obtain views of the heart.

Stress echocardiogram

This test is performed before and after your heart is stressed, either with exercise or medication to increase heart rate. Doctors use this test to determine whether you have decreased blood flow to your heart, such as in coronary artery disease.

Doppler echocardiogram

This test is used to examine how blood flows through the heart chambers, valves and vessels.

Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)

When a regular echocardiogram is unclear, either due to obesity or lung disease, a TEE can provide a clearer picture. In this test, a probe is guided down the esophagus and can be positioned closer to the heart, without obstruction from the lungs and chest wall. This procedure is performed under mild sedation.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a diagnostic procedure that combines a powerful magnet, radio waves and computer technology to provide detailed images of tissues, muscles, nerves and bones.

Because MRI uses magnetic force and radio waves to create images, there’s no radiation exposure during the procedure. MRI is often used instead of CT to study soft tissues or organs because bones do not obscure the organs and soft tissues as they do with CT imaging.

MRI can be used to assess everything from ruptured discs in the spine to detecting brain tumors and vascular diseases. AdventHealth North Pinellas offers several types of MRIs to diagnose your health condition:

Breast MRI

Breast MRI can be a more effective imaging technique than mammography for some women, and can provide additional details for diagnosing and evaluating breast abnormalities.

Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)

An MRA evaluates blood flow or detects brain aneurysms or blood vessel abnormalities. It is used to visualize renal, carotid and vertebral arteries, or examine the aorta for aneurysm. Perfusion and diffusion scanning examines blood flow through tissues to evaluate strokes.

Our radiology team is committed to easing your mind and lifting your spirits during your MRI. We aim to make imaging tests more comfortable and pleasant. We’ve added extra-comfort touches, such as a larger opening MRI scanner, softer lighting and music.

MRIs are painless exams that create quality thin-section images of any part of the body, including the arteries and veins, from any angle and direction, without surgical invasion and in a relatively short period of time.

The images are sent to computer work stations within the medical center for viewing by our radiologists and can be sent to your physician’s office for viewing.

For those who have difficulties completing an MRI, we offer sedation on specific days. Please talk with us about this service and availability.

The best line of defense against breast cancer is early detection through mammography, which is an X-ray examination of the breast. Mammograms make it possible to detect breast cancers, benign tumors and cysts — even before you can feel them. The latest digital mammography technology takes very detailed electronic images of your breasts to pinpoint areas of concern.

Mammography may be used either for screenings or to make a diagnosis. A routine screening mammogram is an X-ray of the breast used to detect breast changes when you have no signs of breast cancer. It usually involves two X-rays of each breast. A diagnostic mammogram is an X-ray of the breast used to diagnose unusual breast changes, such as a lump, pain, nipple thickening or discharge, or a change in breast size or shape.

Our team performs routine screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms for your comfort and peace of mind, year after year.

X-rays use invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones and organs on film or digital media. Standard X-rays are performed for many reasons, including diagnosing tumors or bone injuries.

At AdventHealth North Pinellas, radiology teams use X-ray technology in many types of diagnostic procedures, including:

• Arteriograms
• Computed tomography (CT) scans
• Fluoroscopy

During an X-ray, different parts of the body allow varying amounts of X-ray beams to pass through:

Soft tissues

Soft tissue in the body, such as blood, skin, fat and muscle, allow most of the X-ray to pass through and appear dark gray on the film or digital media.

Bones or Tumors

Bones and tumors are denser than soft tissue and appears white on the X-ray. Breaks in the bone appear as a dark line on a white bone.

X-rays are an important diagnostic imaging test that enables your physician to get you on the road to recovery.