Imaging Services

Diagnostic Radiology is commonly used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease or injury.

Specialized x-ray examinations of certain parts of the body are performed by the radiologist with the assistance of a registered nurse and registered technologists. Interventional Radiology procedures available at Columbus Regional Hospital include:

• PICC Lines (permanent catheters placed for use of medication administration)
• Myelography (special spine exam) 
• Biopsies

Comprehensive breast health services are provided through a full range of state-of-the-art equipment for all major breast-imaging procedures.

Columbus Regional Health's Breast Health Center is excited to offer 3D mammography (also known as digital breast tomosynthesis or "tomo"), an exam that allows doctors to see masses and distortions associated with cancers significantly more clearly than conventional 2D mammography. Instead of viewing all of the complexities of your breast tissue in a flat image, as with conventional 2D mammography, fine details are more visible and no longer hidden by the tissue above or below.

Advanced technology used to detect breast cancer and other abnormalities in the breast. Breast MRI is performed when your doctor needs more information than a mammogram, ultrasound or clinical exam can provide.

With MRI, sectional images of the body are obtained by using a strong magnet, radio waves, and a computer. MRI services at the hospital include all body parts (head, spine, extremity, MRA, soft tissue neck, abdomen, pelvis, etc.).

NEW! Learn about the Columbus Diagnostic Imaging open bore 3T MRI, the strongest magnet field strength used clinically today. 

A machine is used to produce high frequency sound waves that are transmitted through a hand-held transducer into the body.

During a CT Scan a computerized x-ray unit obtains pictures of sections of the anatomy. CT scanning services include orthopedic, neurologic, abdominal, facial, pelvic, and peripheral scanning as well as CT guided biopsies.

Columbus Regional Hospital offers new PET/CT scanning technology that combines two separate diagnostic testing into one unit to provide faster scan times and higher-quality images. PET/CT helps in the early diagnosis of cancer and heart disease.

Imaging technologies such as PET and CT exams have become essential tools for medical professionals. By providing a detailed picture of the body’s internal structures, these tools help physicians to diagnose and treat many medical conditions more accurately than ever before.

We strive to provide the latest and most advanced imaging technologies at our center. That’s why we are pleased to announce that we now offer PET/CT exams using the Biograph mCT system from Siemens. Biograph mCT offers many benefits to both our patients and their physicians.

Accuracy:

Biograph mCT was designed to produce precise and accurate high-resolution images with reproducible results that are consistent over time. Biograph mCT can help to increase your physician’s diagnostic confidence to deliver an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for you or your family members.

Whether you’ve been referred for a PET/CT by your oncologist, cardiologist or neurologist, Biograph mCT can deliver the accuracy and image quality your physician needs to precisely assess and monitor your disease.

Speed:

Biograph mCT has the capability to perform fast whole-body PET scans. Its innovative software and technology improve the scanning procedure. This makes it possible to shorten the overall length of your exam and provide better information to your physician. And because exams can be completed quickly, there is less chance that patient movement will affect the scan — so your physician will receive the highest-quality images possible.

Comfort:

By using advanced software and technology, Siemens continually strives to make their imaging systems as patient-friendly as possible.

During your exam, you will rest comfortably on a wide table that accommodates patients up to 500 lb. The wide opening is 78 cm in diameter, which means there is more space while positioned in the gantry. The short length of the tunnel also means that many exams can be performed with your head outside of the machine for greater comfort and a less claustrophobic experience.

Other benefits of Biograph mCT:

Biograph mCT uses technology that limits your exposure to radiation — and its accurate results reduce the chance that you will need a repeat scan. Radiation dose reduction is particularly important when imaging children and patients with frequent follow-up exams.

You can feel confident that your physician will receive high-quality images and accurate informationfor diagnosing and treating your condition.

This imaging center uses Siemens CARE (Combined Applications to Reduce Exposure) dose reduction technology to provide a full range of noninvasive imaging services that helps minimize radiation exposure. Siemens has been one of the leaders in dose reduction for more than 20 years, with advanced technologies and applications that help improve diagnostic accuracy while reducing unnecessary radiation exposure to patients and medical staff.

At Columbus Regional Health, we take pride in providing our patients with the highest levels of patient care. That’s why we use state of the art equipment that offers industry-leading image quality. Because the image quality of our system is so high, your physicians can obtain more clinical information than previous SPECT systems to provide a more accurate picture of your health.

What is a SPECT exam?

A SPECT exam is a type of medical imaging that shows biological functions and detailed anatomical structures together. It tells us how your organs and tissue function. Using a small dose of radioactive material called a radioisotope, images are obtained related to the function of various body systems. SPECT, planar, and whole body imaging is provided.

Is it safe?

SPECT scans use invisible beams of ionizing radiation that pass through the body to create an image. At our facility, we are dedicated to the highest levels of patient safety— which is why our healthcare team selected technology that uses very low doses of radiation while maintaining excellent image quality.

What will happen at my appointment?

You’ll be asked to change into a gown; then you will lie down on a patient table. The table will move slowly through the gantry (the large doughnut-type shape). Once you are in the correct position, your technologist may ask you to hold your breath or not to move. You’ll hear a low whirring sound during the exam.

Your SPECT Exam Checklist

• Remove all metal objects, such as a belt or jewelry.
• Bring images from previous examination (including X-rays) with you.
• Ask your physician if your examination requires contrast. If it does, find out how many hours you will need to fast before the examination.
• Let your physician know if you have had previous allergic reactions.

Bone densitometry allows for accurate assessment of bone density and the detection of clinically significant changes in bone mass.