What happens when technology and medicine merge? Many things, one being radiology. As technology continuously evolves, it contributes to a multitude of industries in the quest to help mankind. For doctors, the key to a cure is an accurate diagnostic. But when the debilitating condition is internal, the evaluation can become tedious. The emergence of radiology centers has brought peace to medical professionals as well as patients. Through images from MRIs, CT scans, X-rays and Ultrasounds, radiology has granted greater vision to the medical field.

There are distinct differences between each of these exams but each one has the power to detect what may be deteriorating your body.

MRI scans

An MRI, acronym for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, is an exam performed with a scanner that utilizes magnetic fields and radiowaves to develop images of a human’s internal composition. Most doctors refer patients to a radiologist office when injured tendons, spinal cords or ligaments have surfaced. Brain tumors have also been detected through MRI and have been preferred for patients who may need an alternative to exam with radiation because an MRI machine does not emit any.

CT imaging

The CT scan has been helpful to physicians in detecting cancers, respiratory problems developing in the lungs and chest and has also given an in depth look into injured bones. The machine is able to develop an image quickly and displays more details compared to an MRI.

X-ray lab

Like the MRI, an X-ray evaluation is commonly used to observe broken bones and conditions like pneumonia. Instead of radiowaves, the X-ray delivers a low dose of radiation at a higher frequency intended to travel through the body in order to capture an image of your body’s internal composition.

Ultrasound imaging

For many expecting mothers, the Ultrasound is the first encounter a mother has with her unborn child. During an ultrasound, a medical professional or radiologist will use a type of scanning machine that collects sound waves to create an image of internal organs like the gall bladder, liver, kidneys, ovaries and uterus.

Early Detection Screening

You can also take charge of your health with an Early Detection Screening. Most of these exams are prescribed by a physician and then administered by a radiologist. Radiologists understand the technologies, the images developed by them and are equipped with the skills to interpret the images in order to send you and your physician accurate results.

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According to the U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics, 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer. It may sound like a large percentage of women are at risk but the statistics also reported that the death rates have continued to heavily decrease since 1989. The survival rate has improved drastically because of the raised awareness in recent years, advancement in treatment and most importantly – early detection through proper screenings.

Breast cancer can occur for various reasons and although genetics may increase the chances, most patients develop breast cancer as a result of the natural aging process. Early detection has proven to be the most important step to survival. That is why scheduling regular mammograms should become part of a woman’s health routine. The mammography procedure is an exam administered to evaluate the breast and any changes within the tissue. In most cases these exams can detect a lump before the patient is aware of it.

You don’t always have to visit a hospital or a physician’s office for a mammogram. Any board certified radiology center with imaging procedures like MRI and ultrasound can accommodate you. In order to provide you with accurate results, certified radiologists are not only trained to utilize all the new FDA approved technologies but also understand how to properly analyze the images produced to provide accurate diagnosis.

The images are typically kept on record to give radiologists a point of comparison. Any abnormal changes in the breast tissue will be easier to observe, which will assist the early detection process. For patients who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer, radiology centers schedule more frequent exams in order to gather more records of past images. These images are analyzed closely to observe any differences in cancer advancement or retrogression. At Progressive Diagnostic Imaging our accredited radiologists don’t just deliver a report, they establish a stronger communication system between doctors and their patients in efforts to reach a cure.

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Hospitals Doctors & Patients Contact Us About MRI!

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Why a Ct Scan and not MRI?

Patients are sometimes referred to Progressive Diagnostic Imaging for a Cat Scan. The patient may wonder why a Cat Scan and not an MRI. One reason a doctor may refer you for a Cat Scan is that they want to scan for things that an MRI may not reveal. Which form of scan used depends upon the symptoms you are exhibiting.  So why a CT Scan vs MRI?

What Can a CT Scan Detect?

CT Scans can detect a number of diseases. In the brain it can detect bleeding, tumors, enlarged ventricles, and aneurisms. It can reveal sinusitis, some abscesses like cellulitis, orbital defects, fractures and deviated septums in and around your face. Scanning the neck can show enlarged lymph nodes, pharyngeal abscesses, enlarged tonsils, abnormalities of the carotid artery. Chest scans can can reveal tumors, emphysema, pleural effusions, pneumothorax, or collapsed lungs. CT Scans can also detect tumors in major organs like the liver, spleen, pancreas and kidneys. All joints and bones can be scanned to show fractures or other abnormalities. Some scans are done with the use of contrast (a non radioactive substance that is injected into your body which lights up problem areas). While MRIs and Ct Scans are both useful medical tools, CT Scans are more widely used and quicker. They are minimally invasive and less claustrophobic.  These are some of the reasons why a CT Scan vs MRI.

Scans Are Referred by Doctors and Evaluated by Professional Radiologists

If you are referred for a CT Scan (sometimes called a Cat Scan), imaging is done at Progressive Diagnostic Imaging by a professional and experienced staff. Radiologists are available for consultation and results. We are a state-of-the-art outpatient imaging facility with your health and well being our focus. For consultations please call (973) 839-5006 or come to our facility located at 44 Route 23 North, Riverdale NJ.

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When preparing for your Cat Scan (also known as CT Scan), the first thing a patient should do is take all his or her doctor prescribed appropriate medications. The last thing a patient needs to happen before their test is a health issue like raised blood pressure because that patient did not take their medication for the day.

A Cat Scan is basically an X-ray and will not interfere with most if not all a patient’s medications. Just to be one hundred percent sure, please check with your doctor and the technician performing the exam a couple of days in advance. The second thing is to wear comfortable clothing such as sweats or gym clothes, so you are nice and relaxed. The scan time for CT Scans are generally very short, but why be uncomfortable while you are laying there?  Also, avoid wearing necklaces or earrings with scans that target your neck or head regions, this will assure no interference such as an artifact on the images being taken. An artifact is a bright light on the image that can happen from some jewelry.

Lastly, if you are having a CT Scan with contrast, make sure to stay hydrated and avoid eating for up to two hours prior to exams this will help the contrast flow more freely around your body and assure that we get a bright clear area of interest for the doctor. Speaking of hydration, always make sure to go to the bathroom one more time while you are in the waiting room. This will help your anxiety and assure we don’t have to take you out of the machine right after we get you set up for your exam.

Progressive Diagnostic Imaging offers the highest quality Cat Scan available to Riverdale and Morris County NJ. Contact us today to schedule yours!

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Sometimes when the flu (a respiratory virus) is not treated properly, other diseases can develop. The most commonly developed is pneumonia, an infection that can be either viral or bacterial and attacks one or both lungs. The infection causes inflammation of the lung’s air sacs as it slowly fills up your lungs with harmful fluid, making it increasingly difficult for you to breathe.

Because many pneumonia symptoms are similar to those of a cold or the flu, such as fever, coughs and body weakness, it can become difficult to determine if you have pneumonia. However, one of the first signs of pneumonia is wheezing or shortness of breath which means your lungs have been affected. During flu season it is especially important to seek medical attention if your flu continues to progress because respiratory diseases may become severe or fatal. Physicians will often require results from a chest CT scan in order to analyze the lungs in more detail.

A CT scan, a type of x-ray, utilizes energy to scan the lungs, take multiple pictures and create three-dimensional images. The procedure is completely non-invasive and can be administered at most ACR certified radiology facilities. A radiologist who will be able to detect if there is any excessive fluid in the lungs will evaluate the images produced by the CT scan. Although viral pneumonia is most commonly developed from the flu, complications may arise from other bacteria meaning a doctor will most likely prescribe a vaccine.

Treating pneumonia as early as possible will help you avoid lung abscesses (pockets of pus that form inside the lungs from accumulated bacteria) or in severe cases, complete respiratory failure – an issue that will only be resolved with a machine that aids your breathing.

Value every breath you take and consult with a doctor as soon as you feel that your respiratory system is at risk for pneumonia. Should your physician require a CT scan image, don’t wait for the next available appointment at a busy hospitable – contact your local radiology center so that you may receive quicker results.

Progressive Diagnostic Imaging is a state-of-the-art outpatient imaging center offering the Morris County NJ area open MRI, Ultrasound Imaging, CT Scans, X-rays, and Early Detection Screenings in a warm, friendly, and convenient atmosphere.

Contact us today to schedule your appointment! Evening hours are now available for all patients.

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It has probably been about 7 to 10 weeks since you have conceived but as an expecting mother, the first scheduled prenatal ultrasound can give you mixed feelings. You’ve been patiently waiting for this day, searching for a certified radiology center with a warm atmosphere to make your experience as comfortable as possible. It’s exciting and nerve wrecking all at the same time.

Witnessing how much your unborn child has developed can be one of the most rewarding moments of your life but you may be wondering about what you should expect from the first prenatal ultrasound.

An hour before arriving to your scheduled appointment, ultrasound technicians typically request patients to drink atleast three 8oz glasses of water, without urinating until after the exam. At the time of your appointment, a staff member from the radiology center will assist you in laying down on a bed and applying a cool gel over your belly. The ultrasound technician will then softly place a transducer over the gel to begin transmitting the sound waves that will bounce off the surfaces within your tummy. These vibrations are interpreted as electrical signals that project the images seen on the monitor.

The first ultrasound will most likely be administered to check for the infant’s heart beat, the umbilical cord and size to determine the age and to estimate a due date. The placenta, uterus, ovaries and cervix may be analyzed as well to perceive if there is any abnormal growth present in the fetus.

After the ultrasound is completed you will most likely schedule another ultrasound exam when you have reach your second trimester. The second exam usually determines more details about your baby like the sex and any possible congenital abnormalities. Until then, however, you will be more than happy to leave your first ultrasound knowing that your baby’s heart is beating just for you.

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