The American Medical Center Diagnostic Imaging Department is highly reliable, equipped with the latest technology, and amply performs all examinations associated with the following modalities:


64-slice CT scan
64-slice CT (computed tomography) is a highly specialized x-ray examination performed by a 64-slice CT scanner and computer. CT provides more highly detailed images of the body’s tissues and vessels than conventional x-rays. The images generated by the computer can be printed out or examined on a monitor. It can also visualize bone, soft tissues and blood vessels in a single image.

Abdominal/Pelvic CT Scan
CT imaging of the abdomen and/or pelvis is used for diagnosing diseases and disorders of the digestive system organs, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, urinary system, spleen, pancreas, and appendix. It also locates or confirms the presence of tumors and can identify the source of abdominal pain or distress. Arteries and vessels can be imaged to diagnose vascular disorders that can lead to stroke, heart attack, or kidney failure.

Chest CT
CT scanning of the chest is especially useful for simultaneously visualizing the lungs, heart, bones, soft tissues, muscle and blood vessels. It is useful for identifying lung disorders, such as tuberculosis, old and new pneumonia, tumors, emphysema, and diffuse interstitial lung disease.

CT of the head
CT scanning of the head is especially useful for providing detailed information on head injuries, sinus disorders, stroke, brain tumors and diseases of the brain. It can also visualize bone, soft tissues and blood vessels in a single image. CT of the head and brain is a patient-friendly exam that involves relatively low radiation exposure. Depending upon the reason for your exam, it may be necessary to highlight the tissues of the brain and blood vessels with the use of contrast material or “dye.” Intravenous (IV) contrast is injected into a vein while the CT scanner captures hundreds of cross-sectional images of your brain tissue and blood vessels. Afterward, a powerful computer reconstructs a highly detailed three-dimensional image for your physician or surgeon to view.

CT of the sinuses
CT scanning of the sinuses allows the entire sinus cavity to be viewed, providing important information about the sinuses and nasal structure. CT is useful for diagnosing sinusitis, a condition caused by infection or inflammation in one or more of the sinuses. It may also be used to diagnose tumors of the nasal cavity and sinuses. CT of the sinuses is a painless, patient-friendly exam that involves relatively low radiation exposure.

CT Scanning of the Spine
CT scanning of the spine is especially useful for detecting spinal column injuries, fractures or tumors; evaluating the spine after surgery; determining narrowing of the spinal canal; infection; herniated disks; or degenerative diseases such as arthritis.
It is a non-invasive procedure, although intravenous (IV) contrast material is sometimes injected in or around the spine prior to the CT scan to highlight fine structural details of the spinal column.

CT Colonography
Colonography (sometimes called “Virtual Colonography”) uses a CT scanner and computer to exam the large bowel (colon) without having to fill the colon with liquid barium (Barium Enema) or insert a long, lighted tube (Optical Colonoscopy) throughout the length of the colon. This fast, minimally invasive procedure allows doctors to non-surgically view three-dimensional images of the colon to detect polyps and cancers. Polyps are small growths that arise from the inner lining of the colon that may become cancerous if they are not removed. Currently, Colonography is not used in place of Optical Colonoscopy or a Barium Enema exam. Colonography may be recommended for patients who have undergone Optical Colonoscopy; had a Barium Enema exam but still require additional imaging for diagnosis; elderly, frail patients who cannot tolerate an Optical Colonoscopy; and patients with a narrowed or obstructed colon.

CT Angiography
CT (computed tomography) angiography (CTA) is a detailed exam that uses x-rays to view blood flow in arteries and veins while simultaneously injecting intravenous (IV) contrast into a vein in your arm. Blood flow can be visualized and analyzed throughout the body – from arteries serving the brain to those bringing blood to the lungs, kidneys, arms, legs, and heart. In patients with tumors, CTA can reveal the details of arteries feeding the growth. The 64-slice CT scanner and a specialized computer combine to create highly specific three-dimensional pictures (images). These images can be used for surgical planning. Compared to catheter angiography, a surgical procedure which involves injecting contrast material into a major artery, CTA requires no hospitalization or recuperation, is much less invasive, and is a far easier procedure for patients. After a CT Angiography exam, patients return to work or home and immediately resume normal activities.

Cardiac CT for Calcium Scoring
A CT cardiac calcium scoring exam (or Heart Score™ Test) detects and measures the buildup of calcium and plaque inside the arteries of the heart. Calcium is a common component of plaque and a marker of coronary artery disease (CAD). Plaque causes major arteries of the heart to become narrow or closed off, blocking the flow of blood to the heart. The result is chest pain – or heart attack. The result of a CT cardiac scoring exam is expressed as a calcium “score” ranging from 0 to 400+. The lower your score, the healthier your heart. Higher scores indicate the need for lifestyle changes or other preventive measures in order to decrease your risk of CAD. CT cardiac calcium scoring detects CAD at an early stage when people at risk for heart disease do not yet have symptoms.

Coronary CTA
Coronary computed tomography angiography (Coronary CTA) is a heart imaging test that helps determine if deposits of fat or calcium (plaque) have narrowed a patient’s coronary arteries. Coronary CTA is a special type of x-ray examination. Patients undergoing a coronary CTA scan receive an iodine-containing contrast material (dye) as an intravenous (IV) injection to ensure the best possible images.
CT scanning is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.
Many physicians advocate the careful use of coronary CTA for patients who have:
-chest pain and have come to the emergency room.
-suspected abnormal anatomy of the coronary arteries.
-low or medium risk for coronary artery disease, but have symptoms such as chest pain not brought on by physical activity.
medium or high risk for coronary artery disease, but who do not have typical symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue during heavy physical activity.
-unclear or inconclusive stress test results.
-new onset heart failure with reduced left ventricle function.
-medium risk of coronary artery disease, before non-coronary cardiac surgery.
-symptoms associated with coronary artery bypass grafts.

For these types of patients, coronary CTA can provide important information about the extent and type of fat and calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. Coronary CTA can also evaluate narrowing of the arteries as the cause of chest discomfort, and it can detect other possible causes of symptoms, such as a collapsed lung or blood clot in blood vessels leading to the lungs. Your primary care physician, possibly in consultation with a radiologist who would perform the test, will determine whether coronary CTA is appropriate for you.

What is an IV (Intravenous) Contrast ?
IV contrast is a solution that is injected into your veins and appears very bright white on a CT image. This material allows for enhanced visualization of the blood vessels in your body. When the IV contrast is injected into a vein you may experience a sensation of being warm or flushed throughout your throat, chest, abdomen and pelvis. This is normal and may last 1-2 minutes. IV contrast is filtered from your blood by your kidneys and will be passed, unnoticed, from your body in your urine. You may safely drive home after having IV contrast.

 
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Non-invasive diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a strong magnetic field and radiofrequency pulses to provide diagnostic images of high contrast resolution, with no ionizing radiation. In certain conditions, i.v. contrast agent is used to improve tissues contrast and increase accuracy. MRI is considered diagnostic imaging of choice in many circumstances, like MSK cases, neuroimaging, and tends to become imaging of choice in many other applications as well (staging of male and female pelvis disease etc)
 
Musculoskeletal MRI (Joints and extremities: Shoulder, Arm, Elbow, Forearm, Wrist/Hand, Pelvis/Hips, Thigh, Knee, Calf, Ankle/Foot, TMJs,) Trauma/sports injuries, Degenerative/inflammatory diseases, Bone and soft tissue tumors. MRI is considered the

Neuro MRI (Brain/Orbits/IAMs/Pituitary, Spine/Spinal cord, Peripheral nerves). Neurodegenerative diseases/Demyelination/Stroke/Infection, Congenital Malformations, Epilepsy, Tumors, Entrapment neuropathies among other conditions.

Advanced Neuro MRI (Diffusion Imaging, Perfusion Imaging, Tractography, Spectroscopy, Functional MRI).  Provides structural and functional details of tissues.

Body MRI (Cardiac MRI, MRMammo, Chest/ Mediastinum, Abdomen/Liver/Pancreas/Spleen/Adrenals/Kidneys, Female/Male Pelvis, MRI rectum/perineum) High accuracy exams of the abdomen and pelvis viscera, with high sensitivity and specificity.

MR Angiography (Brain MRA, Neck/carotids MRA, Aorta MRA, Renal MRA, Lower extremities MRA).  High accuracy detecting congenital or acquired abnormalities, aneurysms, stenosis/occlusion/thrombosis etc