CPC Diagnostic Imaging

Mammograms are considered the gold standard when it comes to the early detection of breast cancer. These screenings are typically recommended for women ages 40 and up. A mammogram uses low-energy X-rays of the breast to look for abnormal growths or calcifications. Mammograms can detect breast cancer up to three years before it can be felt in a breast exam.

During a mammogram, each breast is placed between two plates that flatten it and hold it still while X-rays are taken.

With a 3D mammogram (breast tomosynthesis), a computer assembles the X-ray images into a three-dimensional reconstruction of the breast. 3D mammograms offer more detailed imaging of breast tissue than standard 2D mammograms – which is especially beneficial for women with dense breast tissue.

This noninvasive diagnostic imaging procedure uses sound waves that bounce off internal tissue and structures to create an image of what’s inside the body. The benefit of this type of imaging test is that no radiation is involved.

During a breast ultrasound a hand-held transducer is gently glided atop the skin of the breasts. This type of ultrasound is performed in order to identify the presence of lumps or other abnormalities within the breasts that may be a sign of breast cancer.

A computed tomography (CT) scan takes X-ray images from different angles. With the help of a computer program, it produces cross-sectional images that are more detailed than regular X-rays.

At CPC Multi-Specialty Group, we use a 128-slice CT scanner to create incredibly crisp, detailed images of internal body structures. CT scans are used to identify damage to bones or internal organs, as well as blood flow issues or signs of stroke or cancer.

Osteoporosis is a common, age-related degenerative condition in which the bones lose density, become weak and brittle, and can more easily break – even after something as slight as a strong cough or sneeze, or a minor fall.

A bone mineral density screening is the primary way osteoporosis is discovered – prior to a bone break.

At CPC, we use dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) technology to measure your bone density. You simply lay on an exam table while the machine’s scanning arm passes over your body, using low-dose X-rays to determine bone loss.

An echocardiogram is simply an ultrasound of the heart. It is used to determine how efficiently your heart muscle and valves are working. An ultrasound transducer is glided over the skin of your chest to create images that identify the size, shape, and function of your heart.

This real-time imaging technique uses X-rays to create a moving image of internal tissue and organs that can be viewed on a screen. Fluoroscopy can be used for diagnostic as well as therapeutic purposes. It is often used to guide certain minimally invasive medical procedures, such as various types of injection therapy used in pain management, catheter insertion, and more. Your doctor may use fluoroscopy to examine your digestive, urinary, reproductive, or respiratory system – as well as specific bones or tissue.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can produce exceptionally clear pictures of internal anatomy – without the use of radiation. Instead, radio waves and a strong magnetic field are used to create images of parts of the body that are difficult to be seen with X-ray, CT scans, or ultrasound.

MRIs are used to detect a variety of health problems, such as cysts, tumors, traumatic brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, tendonitis, joint damage, disease of the liver or other organs, reproductive system issues such as fibroids or endometriosis, and more.

At CPC Multi-Specialty Group, we use an MRI with a magnet strength of 1.5 tesla (1.5T), which is considered state-of-the-art when it comes to medical imaging.

Nuclear medicine involves the use of small amounts of radioactive materials to assess the function of organs or structures inside your body. It is also used to determine the spread of cancer in the body, a process called staging.

Before a nuclear medicine imaging procedure, radiotracers (a chemical that releases a small amount of radiation) are administered orally through swallowing or inhalation, or by injection. Then, a camera that detects radiation scans the body, taking images. By assessing how the radioactive material is absorbed by soft tissue in your body, your doctor can identify the presence of various diseases or dysfunctions.

The ingested radiotracers naturally lose radioactivity over time and leave the body naturally through urine or a bowel movement.

A safe, noninvasive imaging test, ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal body tissue. Most often associated with fetal monitoring during pregnancy, ultrasound imaging can be used to diagnose and treat a wide variety of medical conditions. This includes problems with the gallbladder, liver, kidneys, bladder, muscles, tendons, and more. A vascular ultrasound can identify problems with blood flow.

Like a regular ultrasound, a vascular ultrasound uses sound waves delivered from a hand-held transducer into the body to create images of internal structures. With a vascular ultrasound, however, it is used to assess the health and function of your blood vessels. Your doctor may be able to identify blocked veins or arteries throughout the body using a vascular ultrasound.

A doppler vascular ultrasound can determine the speed at which your blood is flowing, which can help identify blood clots, aneurysms, and areas of restricted blood flow.