There are several different types of diagnostic imaging services available that may be requested by your doctor, a few of these include:

• MRI Scans
MRIs use a powerful magnet to obtain images from the body. Your doctor may recommend an MRI scan for one of the following reasons:

• Spinal cord and brain anomalies
• Tumors, cysts, and other bodily irregularities
• Joint abnormalities
• Joint injuries
• Screening for cancers
• Screening of a female’s pelvic region to identify any problems like fibroids and endometriosis
• Uterine anomalies
• Liver diseases
• Abdominal diseases

• MRA Scans
MRA is known as a magnetic resonance angiogram, which is a diagnostic imaging test that provides detailed images of the blood vessels within the body. MRA scans are a form of an MRI. MRIs are often used to help doctors scan for:

• Calcium deposits, clots in blood vessels, or aneurysms
• Finding previous blood vessel narrowing
• Identifying abnormalities within the blood vessels of the brain
• Reviewing blood supply to the brain’s vascular tumors
• Assessing stroke patients

• CT Scans
CT scans may also be known as “cat scans”. This particular test combines a string of x-ray images taken from various angles to get a complete view. The computer software then generates a cross-sectional image from the multiple slices of images taken from the inside of the body of the blood vessels and soft tissues. CT scans are able to offer a more thorough picture than a standard x-ray which is why doctors use CT scans more often to evaluate the patient’s brain, spine, abdomen, neck, and chest.

• Ultrasounds
Ultrasounds are medical imaging services used to create images inside the patient’s body. It does not use radiation to do this, but instead high-frequency wavelengths. Due to this, ultrasounds are safe to use on pregnant women. They are used to show real-time images and the structure as well as the movement of the internal organs and blood flow through vessels. A sonographer will hold a handheld device known as a transducer over the skin to view the inside of the body and take photos. A few of the most common areas a physician will request ultrasounds to be completed includes:

• Heart
• Joints
• Uterus
• Blood vessels
• Muscles
• Bladder
• Kidneys
• And so much more

• X-rays
X-rays are a common diagnostic imaging test that is done to view the insides of the body. X-rays generate a high-energy beam to view tissues and bones.

• Mammography
Mammograms are another type of x-ray, except they are used on the breasts to take images to showcase any early signs of breast cancer or small lumps that cannot be felt by a medical physician.

• Bone Density Scans
A bone density scan is completed to measure the amount of bone material the patient has per square centimeter within the bones. This is done for many reasons including:

• Review fragile bones which are suspectable of fractures
• Diagnose lowered sex hormone levels
• Review if there is a need for certain medications that interfere with the rebuilding of the bones
• Need an anti-rejection medication due to a transplant

• Arthrogram
An arthrogram is a medical imaging service that is used to take various images of specific joints.

• Myelogram
A myelogram is another exam that is used by injecting contrast dye into the spinal cord space and using fluoroscopy to take moving x-ray images. This is done to review any abnormalities within the spine like infections, inflammation, or tumors.

Diagnostic imaging is various medical techniques that are used to view the inside of an individual’s body to help medical professionals figure out a primary or multitude of causes of the patient’s illness and/or injury while confirming a diagnosis. Doctors will often use diagnostic imaging services to see how well their patient’s body is responding to treatment for an illness or fracture.
 
Different machines and methods will allow our medical professionals the ability to produce pictures of the activities and structures inside their patient’s body. The doctor will decide which medical diagnostic imaging tests will be necessary to use based on the body part that is being evaluated, as well as the symptoms coinciding with the patient’s reason for coming in for a visit.
 
Many of the diagnostic imaging services available are non-invasive, painless, and easy. However, some may require the patient to remain relatively still inside the diagnostic imaging machine for long periods of time, while this may start to get uncomfortable, it is necessary to get all of the proper imagery completed in order to provide an accurate diagnosis. Other tests may involve a small amount of radiation exposure to review the patient’s interior of the body.
 
For other diagnostic imaging tests, the medical physician will insert a microscopic camera that is attached to a thin, long tube into the body. This device is medically known as a “scope”. The scope will then be removed through bodily openings within the patient to view the inside of particular organs including the heart, colon, or lungs. While some of these diagnostic imaging tests will require the patient to be under medical anesthesia, others will not.

Diagnostic imaging is important as it provides detailed images and information about the patient’s structural or disease-related changes. This service can save lives by providing an early diagnosis. Without this diagnosis, there can be no viable treatment, and by that no cure.

Doctors may recommend diagnostic imaging as a way to allow them to view the inside of the body and help them find indications of a health condition. We serve patients from Burbank CA, Glendale CA, Pasadena CA, Beverly Hills CA, San Fernando CA, La Crescenta-Montrose CA, North Hollywood CA, Toluca Lake CA, Sunland CA and Kagel Canyon CA.