Diagonstic Imaging Services
Diagnostic X-ray
Diagnostic Radiology employs general imaging techniques for both inpatients and outpatients. Diagnostic x-rays are performed for many reasons including injury, sickness, stroke, and unexplained pains and/or symptoms. Procedures can take from just a few minutes to several hours and includes initial screenings as well as sophisticated and complex procedures. Diagnostic Radiology is a tool by which physicians determine further therapies and treatments.
Yuma District Hospital provides a full range of diagnostic x-ray procedures utilizing state of the art technology to provide detailed images to assist the Radiology team in detecting changes in body tissues, bone injuries or organ abnormalities. Radiographs or digital fluoroscopy can also be used to view the gastrointestinal or genitourinary organs. Digital fluoroscopy is similar to conventional x-ray, but produces an image on a TV-like screen (permanent still images can also be produced for use in further diagnostic studies). Fluoroscopy is commonly used to study movement inside the body, such as the function of the stomach and intestines and is also used for special diagnostic studies of the spine and joints.
Portable fluoroscopy and x-ray equipment is used during surgical procedures and is available for use in Yuma’s Emergency and Surgery Departments.
CT Scanning
A CT (computed tomography) Scanner combines the diagnostic capability of x-ray with modern computer technology to create detailed images of the body structures that are too small for x-ray or are located in areas that cannot be imaged by x-ray. It is non-invasive and provides accurate diagnostic information without the risk associated with diagnostic surgery.
Yuma’s Radiology Department uses the latest CT scanning technology available, including 3-dimensional imaging and sub-second scanning.
Yuma District Hospital recently acquired a Phillips 64-slice CT scanner, and is the only 64-slice CT scanner within a 150 mile radius. This top-of-the-line CT scanner allows physicians to simultaneously capture multiple wafer-thin images of a patient’s anatomy within seconds, shaving minutes off the exam time. The system provides exceptionally high-resolution images that help doctors to more accurately diagnose patients than ever before. CT provides detailed, cross-sectional images of the brain, organs of the chest and abdomen; and bone and tissue structures throughout the body. These images can be especially useful in diagnosing tumors, bleeding or infections deep within large organs. To enhance the diagnostic image, a dye or contrast medium is usually injected into a vein or, for abdominal scans swallowed.
 |
Other benefits for the patient include: less time needed for breath-holds; greater flexibility (e.g., obtain thinner or thicker slices without rescanning the patient); and better cross sectional displays and 3D images. In addition, the scanner is allowing radiologists to use CT for new applications, such as CT angiography, and cardiology.
Yuma’s CT staff is credentialed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist and is CAT scan registered.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), one of the most dramatic advances in diagnostic technology, provides an unparalleled view inside the human body. MRI uses no X-rays. Instead, a computer creates detailed tissue "slice" images from data generated by a powerful magnetic field and radio waves. These images can be viewed from all directions and all planes.
 |
Because certain medical devices can be affected by the magnet, patients with pacemakers, defibrillators and some other implanted devices are excluded form undergoing MRI exams. |
MRI is used extensively to diagnose injuries and conditions related to the brain, neck, spinal cord and soft tissues. It is also especially useful for evaluating medical conditions involving joints, muscles and bones.
MRI technology is also capable of imaging flowing blood in virtually any part of the body. This allows technicians to perform studies that show the arterial system in the body, but not the surrounding tissue. In many cases, the MRI system can do this without a contrast injection, as is required in vascular radiology. To enhance certain other types of diagnostic studies, however, a contrast medium may be injected into a vein.
The Yuma Radiology Department provides a full spectrum of patient imaging using traditional MRI equipment. MRI scans are offered for both inpatient and outpatients five-days-a-week. All of Yuma’s MRI technologists are credentialed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
During your exam — which may take 15 minutes to an hour — you lie on a movable table inside the scanner. Exams may be noisy, so you may be given earplugs or headphones with music. Patients utilizing the traditional MRI scanner sometimes experience claustrophobia. Medications are available to help.
MRI is usually not appropriate for people with pacemakers or other implanted electrical devices because of the use of a strong magnetic field.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses no radiation. With the aid of a computer, ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create diagnostic images. Ultrasound exams are painless. During the exam, a transducer that emits inaudible sound waves is placed on your body. The sound waves are reflected back to the transducer (like sonar) and are translated into a moving image by a computer. This technology makes it possible to view the movement of internal organs in motion, such as a fetus during pregnancy or the flow of blood through a blood vessel.
Ultrasound is especially useful for providing information about abdominal organs such as the kidneys, liver, pancreas and gallbladder, as well as the breasts, uterus, ovaries, prostate and thyroid gland.
It is also used to view heart wall/valve motion and blood flow to look for narrowing of blood vessels. It is also used to screen for stroke risk, look for enlarged arteries to diagnose an aneurysm. Ultrasound is also an excellent way to look for blood clots in the veins/arteries of the legs or arms.
Ultrasound is a quick, painless, and relatively inexpensive procedure. We work with highly trained ultrasound technologist who is credentialed, which means they have special ultrasound training and have passed a national examination.
Echocardiograms. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound examination of how the heart valves and muscle walls are working. If the cardiologist needs additional information, an echo stress test may be ordered. This would include an ultrasound examination of the heart at rest, then a treadmill stress test, followed by a stress ultrasound of the heart.
Mammography
Mammography is the most accurate diagnostic technique available to early detection of breast disease. There are two types of mammography procedures: screening mammography and diagnostic mammography
Screening mammography is an X-ray examination of the breast in a woman who is asymptomatic (has no breast complaints). The goal of screening mammography is to detect cancer when it is still too small to be felt by her physician or the woman. Early detection of small breast cancers by screening mammography greatly improves a woman's chance for successful treatment. Screening mammography usually involves two views (X-ray pictures) of each breast. For some patients, additional pictures may be needed at screening to include as much breast tissue as possible.
The American Cancer Society guidelines for the detection of breast cancer in asymptomatic women are:
- Women 20 years of age and older should perform breast self-examination every month.
- Women 20-39 should have a physical examination of the breast every three years, performed by a health care professional such as a physician, physician assistant, nurse or nurse practitioner.
- Women 40 and older should have a physical examination of the breast every year, performed by a health care professional, such as a physician, physician assistant, nurse or nurse practitioner.
- Women 40 years of age and older should have a mammogram every year.
We encourage you discuss your screening mammography procedure with your physician; however, physician referral is not required. Appointments may be scheduled by your physician or directly by calling the radiology department at 970-848-4642 or central schedule at 970-848-5405
Diagnostic mammography is an X-ray examination of the breast in a woman who either has a breast complaint (for example, a breast mass, nipple discharge, etc.) or has had an abnormality found during screening mammography. During diagnostic mammography, additional pictures will be taken to carefully evaluate the breast abnormality.
Yuma’s mammography services are FDA certified and accredited by the American College of Radiology. Our mammography technologist is credentialed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist and is mammography certified.
Nuclear Medicine
This test is a valuable diagnostic tool in determining heart problems. It is available on a weekly basis when equipment is brought in from out of town for scans and used in conjunction with a stress test treadmill. The patient is injected with a radiopharmacutical followed by a cardiac scan. A stress test is then done with the patient being injected again during the last minute of the treadmill stress test. The test is completed by a stress scan being completed ½ hour after the last injection.
