DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING
Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center combines the latest technology for diagnosing illness and injury with a highly trained and friendly staff. You don’t have to go far from home for the advanced services you need including 4-D Ultrasound, 64 Slice CT, nuclear medicine, MRI, bone densitometry and mammography. Follow these links to learn about our diagnostic imaging services.
To find out more about the great images being taken everyday at TLRMC, call (270) 259-9490.
4-D ULTRASOUNDDiagnostic ultrasound is a painless medical procedure that uses sound waves to see inside the body without the use of radiation (x-ray). Ultrasound is used in obstetrical diagnostic studies, as well as studies involving the breast, abdomen and pelvis, thyroid gland, carotid arteries, and various peripheral vascular studies.
Vein imaging can detect blood clots, and studies of the carotid arteries can reveal plaque formation, a major cause of stroke. If you have a family history of strokes, or if you are a smoker, ask your doctor about a Carotid Ultrasound.
We can now offer 4-D ultrasound imaging for expectant mothers. Images are often best between 27-34 weeks. This revolutionary procedure creates a “live action” image of an unborn child, allowing a real-time view of the fetus to better analyze development.
64-SLICE CTCT (computed tomography) produces clearly defined three-dimensional images of all body systems including organs, bones, arteries and veins in a matter of seconds. Using high speed x-rays that rotate in continuous 360-degree motion around the patient, incredibly detailed laser images of cross-sectional slices of the body are created on a computer screen. Tissue abnormalities, tumor masses, tiny fractures, displaced bones, and unusual accumulations of fluid may be detected so that physicians can pinpoint exact areas for treatment
CT, sometimes called CAT scan, provides more detailed information on many types of diseases or trauma than plain x-ray. IV (intravenous) contrast is often used to help find tumors, cancers, pneumonia and many other diseases.
64-SLICE
TLRMC was the first community hospital in Kentucky or Tennessee to have a Siemen’s Sensation 64-Slice CT. This equipment provides the fastest rotation in the industry with unsurpassed image quality. 64-Slice CT is capable of imaging the coronary arteries in most patients. This enables us to detect blockage before a patient has a heart attack.
CT ANGIOGRAPHY
Many angiography studies looking for narrowing of the arteries that supply the kidneys with blood can now be done with CT. These exams are called CT Angiograms or CTAs.
During a normal arteriogram, a wire called a catheter is inserted into the artery, typically in your groin, and then guided to the proper location and x-ray contrast is injected into the main arteries that go to the kidneys. This can now be done with CT which requires NO CATHETERS and can be performed just as quickly as any other CT. Before you have an arteriogram, ask your doctor is a CTA would be beneficial to you.
BONE DENSITOMETRYOsteoporosis is a disease that reduces the strength of your bones, causing them to become brittle and prone to fractures. It is estimated at age 50, a woman has nearly a 40% chance of developing an osteoporotic fracture during her remaining lifetime. A woman’s lifetime risk of hip fracture alone is equal to the combined risk of developing breast cancer, uterine cancer or ovarian cancer--and up to 20% more women who suffer hip fractures die within one year of the fracture than those of a similar age who haven’t suffered a hip fracture.
Early detection is important in osteoporosis. Consider your risk factors, then discuss your prevention strategy with your doctor. If you're a woman, it's best to do this well before menopause. Early detection using a bone density measurement is the best way available to help physicians diagnose osteoporosis. TLRMC offers bone density testing to provide physicians with an accurate assessment of patient bone health. Ask your doctor about sending you to TLRMC to have a bone density test.
Should you have a test?
If you're a woman, the National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that you have a bone density test if you aren't taking estrogen and any of the following conditions apply to you:
- You're older than age 65, regardless of risk factors.
- You're postmenopausal and have at least one risk factor for osteoporosis, including having fractured a bone.
- You have a vertebral abnormality.
- You use medications, such as prednisone, that can cause osteoporosis.
- You have type 1 diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease or a family history of osteoporosis.
- You experienced early menopause.
Click here (
http://www.nof.org/prevention/risk.htm) to learn more about risk factors for osteoporosis and things you can do to possibly help prevent or lessen the damage from osteoporosis.
ECHOCARDIOGRAM
An echocardiogram, often called an Echo, is a specialized form of ultrasound specifically of the heart. Like other diagnostic ultrasounds, Echoes are a non-invasive procedure. Indicating how the heart is working overall, an Echo can identify an enlarged heart, leaky valves or fluid around the heart. In addition to Echoes, TLRMC also offers Nuclear Cardiac Studies and Stress Tests. The image on the left is an echo that shows leaky valves in the right and left chambers of the heart.
GI STUDIESUPPER GI
An Upper Gastrointestinal (UGI) Series, or simply an Upper GI, is an x-ray examination of the esophagus, stomach and the small intestine. In order for the anatomy to show up on radiographic images, the upper gastrointestinal tract must be coated or filled with a contrast material called barium, an element that appears bright white on radiographs. The barium is given to the patient to drink. When the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum are evaluated, this procedure is called Upper GI. When only the pharynx and esophagus are evaluated, it is called a Barium Swallow.
LOWER GI
For a Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract Radiography, radiological images are created by passing small, highly controlled amounts of radiation through the body and capturing the resulting shadows and reflections on film. Most people are familiar with x-ray images, which produce a still picture of the body's internal organs. A Lower GI, often called a Barium Enema Study, is used to evaluate the lower intestines or colon. A Lower GI uses a special form of x-ray designed to show real-time motion called Fluoroscopy, along with barium that is used to fill the colon. A lower GI is very useful in determining if a colon is blocked or if there are other abnormalities of the large bowel or colon.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI)Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a painless, noninvasive procedure that uses a powerful magnet, radio waves and computers to create an incredibly detailed picture of your organs, spine, bones and joints. Your doctor will use the results of this test to help determine your plan of treatment.
Patients with pacemakers or implanted defibrillators cannot have an MRI.
THE EXAM
Your MRI technologist will position you on a padded table. The table will move slowly and smoothly into the magnet opening and your exam will begin. You will notice a slight knocking sound as each series of pictures is taken, this is completely normal. Depending on the exam your doctor has requested, a small IV injection of contrast may be required. This contrast is different from other X-Ray contrast and contains NO Iodine. Spacious patient openings are provided to help reduce anxiety. Should you become uncomfortable, need help or have questions during your exam, just say so. The MRI staff can hear and see you at all times and will talk to you throughout your exam to make sure you are doing fine. The length of your exam depends on the study your doctor has requested, however many MRI exams are competed in under 30 minutes.
MAMMOGRAPHY
There is no need to travel any further than Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center when looking for a fully accredited Mammography program. Our mammography service is accredited by both the American College of Radiology (ACR) and MSQA (Mammography Quality Standards Act), the FDA's federal accreditation program. Accreditation means you can rest assured that your mammogram will be performed by a licensed radiologic technologist and the mammography equipment meets all the requirements set forth by the ACR and FDA.
Mammography is a specific type of imaging that uses a low-dose x-ray system for examination of the breasts. The images of the breasts can be viewed on film at a view box or as soft copy on a digital mammography work station. Most medical experts agree that successful treatment of breast cancer often is linked to early diagnosis. Mammography plays a central part in early detection of breast cancers because it can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY GUIDELINES
Can Breast Cancer Be Found Early?
To find breast cancer in women without symptoms, the American Cancer Society recommends the following:
Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health. While mammograms can miss some cancers, they are still a good way to find cancer.
Women at high risk of breast cancer should talk with their doctor about the best approach for them. This might mean starting mammograms when they are younger, having extra tests or having more frequent exams.
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
Nuclear Medicine is ideal for the early detection and staging of cancer, heart disease and other hard-to-diagnose disorders. Also known as Molecular Imaging, Nuclear Medicine is a subspecialty of radiology. In other radiographic exams, x-rays are passed through the patient; however, n Nuclear Medicine, a radioactive medication is given to the patient either intravenously or by mouth. The radioactive medication targets the area of interest. Once a patient has been injected or taken the radioactive medication, a gamma camera then takes pictures of the radiation emitted by the patient to create the images needed to diagnose a disease.
Creating multi-dimensional images to accurately depict the physiology and function of an internal organ, Nuclear Medicine allows various procedures such as: bone, kidney, thyroid, liver, spleen, and gallbladder scans, as well as lung ventilation perfusion scans, brain perfusion and function, cardiac perfusion and function, and red and white blood cell studies.
Nuclear Medicine also offers an advanced cardiac program which allows computer imaging of the heart in motion. Being able to watch the heart function on the computer screen helps physicians study blood flow and determine heart damage, if any. This is a non-invasive procedure that physicians can utilize in an effort to avoid the more expensive, risky, invasive procedures such as cardiac catherization. The heart image can be manipulated on the screen to allow the physician views of the beating heart from numerous angles.