Radiology

Summerlin Hospital Medical Center offers patients advanced diagnostic and imaging technologies that can be accessed for inpatient care as well as for outpatient diagnostic services through the Outpatient Diagnostic and Surgery Center. These services include:

Angiography

An x-ray examination of an artery, where a catheter (a small tube) is placed into the artery and a dye is injected into the vessel to show contrast. The contrast makes the artery visible on the x-rays, and can reveal a blockage of an artery, how severe it is and what is causing it. Common causes include a blood clot or atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

CT Scan

Computed tomography or CT, shows organs of interest at selected levels of the body. They are the visual equivalent of bloodless slices of anatomy, with each scan being a single slice. CT examinations produce detailed organ studies by stacking individual image slices. CT can image the internal portion of organs and separate overlapping structures precisely. The scans are produced by having the source of the x-ray beam encircle or rotate around the patient. X-rays passing through the body are detected by an array of sensors. Information from the sensors is computer processed and then displayed as an image on a video screen.

DEXA Bone Density Scan

This measures the strength of your bones by testing how dense they are. By doing this, bone density tests can show if you have osteoporosis or may get it, detect if you are at risk of fractures and help your healthcare provider monitor your progress through treatment. Bone density tests are painless, simple and quick. And, with early detection, the effects of osteoporosis can be substantially slowed.

Mammography

Performed by a registered technologist, there are two types of mammograms. A screening mammogram is best described as a routine, annual screening exam performed on women with no specific breast complaints, while a diagnostic mammogram is performed on women with a specific complaint, such as a lump or focal point of breast tenderness. The technologist x-rays the area and reviews the films for characteristics like image quality, proper positioning and adequate compression. Films are then viewed by a radiologist who specializes in the interpretation of breast imaging studies. A report is generated and is sent to the referring physician.

MRI

An x-ray that produces images, which are the visual equivalent of a slice of anatomy. Unlike CT scans, an MRI is also capable of producing those images in an infinite number of projections through the body. A large magnet that surrounds the patient, radio frequencies and a computer to produce its images are used.

Nuclear Medicine

As an integral part of patient care, nuclear medicine is used in the diagnosis, management, treatment and prevention of serious disease. Nuclear medicine imaging procedures are often able to identify abnormalities very early in the progression of a disease. Very small amounts of radioactive materials that are attracted to specific organs, bones or tissues are used in nuclear medicine. These materials emit gamma rays that can be detected externally by special types of cameras working in conjunction with computers to form images.

Ultrasound with Doppler

A diagnostic procedure that tracks changes in a patient's cardiac output and fluid volume. These are critical indicators of how well the heart is transporting blood and oxygen to the organs.