- Why are there so many different types of imaging?
- What are the different areas of Imaging Services?
- How can I get my other questions answered?
General Radiology takes X-rays. X-rays are pictures of the inside of your body. The rays pass through your body at different speeds because of the different tissue density (thickness). General Radiology is very helpful in telling the difference between tissues or objects that have different densities. We can easily tell the difference between bone, muscle, air, or a foreign object—like the penny your 2-year-old swallows or tiny surgical staples.
X-rays, however, can’t detect everything, and may not be the best way to meet your needs. A UWMC radiologist can consult with you or your private doctor to help choose the method of imaging that is best for your problem.
Imaging Services is always changing, so this pamplet will not cover all the things that your doctor might order. Remember to ask questions.
Fluoroscopy: During fluoro, as we call it, multiple X-rays are taken in a series, giving the doctor a moving picture of what your body is doing. With fluoro, you can watch someone swallow, or even watch a heart beat. Fluoro is used in many different areas of Imaging Services. Often there is nothing wrong with the tissue, but the problem is with the movement of the tissue. With fluoro, we can watch the tissue in action and observe the way it moves—normally or abnormally.
Computer Axial Tomography (CT or CAT scan): CAT scan combines the use of a digital computer and a moving X-ray machine to create detailed cross-sectional pictures or “slices the organs and body parts, This test is done when there is concern about what is inside an organ, bone, or any area of the body. Combined with contrasting agents (dyes or other material that help to make a better picture) CAT Scans can be very useful for finding or ruling out a problem.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI senses differences in body tissues and shows them in a cross-sectional format on the MRI film. This produces very detailed pictures of the body part in focus. If you have a mass in the liver, for example, that has been seen on CAT scan. MRI can look at the mass from all directions and through the center.
Ultrasound: Ultrasound is another moving picture, or image. Ultrasound is most known for its ability to show a fetus inside the uterus. It is, however, also useful for watching blood flow in veins (venous duplex) or through the heart (echocardiograms). It is also used to do real-time studies of organs and thus allow for small tissue samples to be taken through a needle (biopsy).
Angiography/Interventional Radiology (Angio or IR): Angio doctors now do remarkable things from the blood vessels of your body. Through tubes (catheters) no bigger than a piece of spaghetti, they can take samples of tissue or expand constricted veins or arteries. They can place stents (small tubes) that will allow for return blood flow to the legs or brain. They can even place chemotherapy directly into a cancer tumor and increase the effect of the medicine.
Mammography: Mammograms are performed using X-rays to show differences in breast tissue thickness. A change in the tissue can be an early warning sign of breast cancer. Mammogram is a life-saving study for many women.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan): PET scan is a procedure that combines the use of sugar, low-grade radioactive particles, and advanced X-ray methods to take pictures of active cells. This allows specially trained radiologists to check for changes in the patient’s body cells. For example, cancer cells grow more rapidly than a normal cell. All cells need glucose (sugar) for energy. A cancer cell uses more energy, and shows up on the PET scan as an area of concern. PET scans are used most often to detect cancer and to check the effects different cancer treatments. PET scan is different because it checks function (how the body works) or energy use of a cell, not motion.
Nuclear Medicine: Like the PET scan, Nuclear Medicine is a study of function. Results show the uptake of radioactive material by the different tissues while they use energy.
Imaging Services is an area of exciting advancements and health-care improvements. Talk to your doctor about procedures that may be right for you. When you need a Imaging Services procedure come and experience our world-class imaging at UWMC.