What are the Different Types of Imaging?
There are several types of medical imaging services available at ImageCare Centers, ranging from X-rays, ultrasound, CT scan, mammography, and open MRI in New Jersey.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging takes detailed pictures, or images, of internal body structures without the use of radiation or radioactive substances of any kind. The exam places the patient in a magnetic field while harmless radio waves are turned on and off. This causes the body to emit weak radio signals which vary according to tissue characteristics. These signals are picked up by a sensitive antenna and fed to a computer that produces detailed images of the body for interpretation by our staff of board-certified radiologists, which are reported to your physician.
X-ray
By generating images of tissues and structures inside the body, an X-ray scan can detect many different internal conditions, some of which include:
- Broken bones
- Osteoporosis
- Spinal injuries
- Tumors
- Foreign objects
CT Scan
Our computerized tomography (CT) provides cross-sectional images of any body part. When the image slices are reassembled by computer software, the result is a very detailed multidimensional view of the body’s interior used to assist in the diagnosis of conditions of organs and body structures.
Mammography
A mammogram – or x-ray of your breast tissue – is one of the most commonly used methods for detecting the early stages of breast cancer. A mammogram can also detect:
- Abnormalities in breast tissue
- Calcium buildup
- Lumps of fatty cells
- Cysts
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses sound waves to look at the internal organs of the body. A special instrument, called a transducer, has tiny crystals inside that, when excited by an electrical current, emit sound waves above the audible range of sound. The transducer then picks up rebounding sound waves and displays the returning sound waves as a picture representing the organ(s) of interest.
An ultrasound can look at solid internal organs, reproductive organs, thyroid, unborn babies, arteries, and veins, and can even image the skin and muscles on the arms and legs. Ultrasound is also used as a guidance tool: the technologist can show the doctor the exact location of an organ for biopsy with a needle.
Our staff is proud to provide a comfortable environment to help our patients relax as they receive medical imaging services. Visit ImageCare Centers online today to learn more information.