The Basics and What to Expect

X-Ray

Special type imaging that uses radiation called electromagnetic waves
Creates pictures of inside your body when different tissues absorb different amounts of ionizing radiation
These pictures demonstrate various shades of gray with air being black and bones being white
X-rays can be harmful in large doses so we limit your exposure as best we can
during the study a plate will be positioned underneath the area we are imaging and a tube opposite the plate will be used to take a picture

CT Machine

Special type of imaging that uses multiple x-rays and computers to make very clear pictures of your body
This technique again uses radiation; each slice of the scan shows a different level of your body
During the study you lie still on a table that passes through the center of the larger machine
Sometimes contrast is used like a dye in your veins to help improve images that we obtain

Special type of imaging that uses magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the structures inside your body
These pictures are created without the use of ionizing radiation
Certain devices are not safe inside the large magnet and the technologist will check with you about them
During the study you lie still on a table that slides inside a tunnel-shaped machine
The machine may make a lot of noise while working
Sometimes contrast is used like a dye in your veins to help improve images that we obtain

Special type of imaging that uses high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of the structures in your body
These pictures are created without the use of ionizing radiation
During the study you lie on table while we use a handheld device called a transducer attached to a monitor/machine
Pressing on the area of interest allows us to send sound waves into the body and capture the waves that bounce back
We can also see flow of blood in vessels using sound waves that show up in color on the screen

We use contrast which is similar to a dye in order to obtain better images and provide your primary doctor with more useful information.
Contrast is usually given either orally (by mouth) or intravenously (through an IV in your arm).
Your body gets rid of the intravenous contrast through your kidneys, the more you urinate the quicker your body will remove the contrast from your blood.
The risks of receiving contrast are allergic reaction (varying for very mild to severe) as well as worsening of kidney problems for those with pre-existing disease.