Services

What should I expect during the procedure?

When you arrive, the technologist will ask questions about your health history, explain the test, and check your blood sugar. You will receive an injection in your arm or hand. The injection will contain a tracer amount of radioactive material (FDG). The tracer is safe, and no adverse reactions have been documented. After the injection, you will sit in a private room for approximately 1.5 hours while the tracer circulates. In most cases, you may relax or read. After the waiting period, you will be asked to empty your bladder and proceed to the scan room. The scanner is similar to a CT scanner. You will lie on your back for 20-30 minutes and slowly move through the scanner as your body is imaged. Movement can ruin images, so it is important that you are as comfortable as possible. In most cases, you may wear normal clothing for the entire procedure, although metal objects must be removed. The scan itself takes about 20-30 minutes. You should plan on being here for approximately 2-2.5 hours.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ARE ON TIME FOR YOUR TEST, ARRIVING AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT TIME.

The radioactive tracer is made and ordered especially for your appointment and because of its short half-life will be unusable if your appointment is delayed. We will attempt to notify you in advance of any schedule change.

After the exam, you may resume all normal activities. Remember to drink extra fluids.

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR THE PROCEDURE?

Usually, no special preparation is needed for a nuclear medicine examination. However, if the procedure involves evaluation of the stomach, you may have to skip the meal immediately before the test. If the procedure involves evaluation of the kidneys, you may need to drink plenty of water before the test.

HOW IS THE PROCEDURE PERFORMED?

A radiopharmaceutical is usually administered into a vein. Depending on which type of scan is being performed, the imaging will be done either immediately, a few hours later, or even several days after the injection. Imaging time varies, generally ranging from 20 to 90 minutes. The radiopharmaceutical that is used is determined by what part of the body is under study since some compounds collect in specific organs better than others. Depending on the type of scan, it may take several seconds to several days for the substance to travel through the body and accumulate in the organ under study, thus the wide range in scanning times.

While the images are being obtained, you must remain as still as possible. This is especially true when a series of images are obtained to show how an organ functions over time

PLEASE NO CLOTHING WITH METAL, BUTTONS, OR SNAPS. WEAR LOOSE COMFORTABLE CLOTHING.

• Orthopedic: Hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, feet, ankle, knee, hip and femur
• MR Arthogram
• Neurologic: Routine brain, sella turcuca, orbits, circle of willis, spine imaging and IAC.
• Liver, kidneys, pancreas, spleen and adrenal glands.
• Chest Mediastinum, sternum, and brachial plexus
• MRA ( MR Angiography)
• MRI Breast
• Urinary Tract
• MRI Breast Guided Biopsy

What is MRI?

Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce very detailed images of internal organs and tissues. The MRI units are capable of performing the following exams:

MRI provides a very reliable form of testing, without exposure to any radiation and is one of the best diagnostic tools without any known side effects.

The Siemens Espree 1.5 Tesla combines Open Bore MRI with TIM (Total Imaging Matrix Technology) is used at Future Diagnostics Group. This MRI unit can accommodate patients up to 550 lbs., and offers true 1.5T High Field Power.

Alongside the Siemens 1.5 Tesla Espree, the Siemens Harmony (short bore/wide bore) High Field 1.0 Tesla is also used At Future Diagnostics Group.

With such state-of-the-art equipment and software, we also do dynamic contrast enhanced studies such as carotid arteries and renal arteries.

PREPARATION:

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. No zippers or snaps and no shiny clothing. No make-up, jewelry (wedding rings are fine). No hairspray, barrettes, or bobby pins in hair. If you have any body piercings they will need to be removed prior to your exam.

For MRCP and/or MRI Abdomen (includes kidneys, renals, liver, gallbladder, and pa?creas)

No gaseous foods 2 days prior to your exam, nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to your exam. You can take your medication with minimal water the morning of your exam.

Patients that have had heart valve replacements or stents put in please make sure you bring your card so we may obtain a copy of it. If you have a pacemaker you cannot have an MRI scan performed.

If it has not been 6 weeks since any surgery you may be asked at the time of scheduling to wait the recommended 6 weeks before having this test done.

If you are or could be pregnant please let the scheduler know at the time of scheduling.

MRI guided breast biopsy?

Breast biopsy using MRI is the latest technological development in the diagnosis of a breast mass. The procedure requires the use of an MRI to locate the position of the breast mass and perform a biopsy. The precise location of the mass by MRI offers an efficient method of obtaining a biopsy. Even masses located in different parts of the breast can easily be biopsied. MRI is excellent to evaluate the soft tissues and can identify breast lesions much earlier than any present day technology. The key to breast cancer treatment is early detection. The early diagnosis of breast lesions also prevents unnecessary surgery.

What is success of MRI breast?

MRI breast scanning is the most sensitive imaging modality available, detecting suspicious lesions or breast cancer at the earliest possible stage of development with a 70-90 percent accuracy rate.

Who actually performs the biopsy?

The biopsy is performed by a radiologist

Where is the procedure done?

The procedure is performed in an MRI Suite

How is the procedure done?

You will be asked to lie down on a table and the MRI will image your breasts. Once the imaging is complete, the location of any abnormal breast mass is identified by viewing the images generated. The location of the abnormality is then marked on the breast. A local anesthetic is infiltrated on the skin. A needle is then placed in the area and the sample is biopsied. The procedure takes about 1-1.5 hours

Is the procedure painful?

The procedure requires only a local anesthetic and leaves little or no scarring.

Are there any complications of MRI breast biopsy?

The procedure is usually pain free and there is minimal scarring with no large incisions.

• General Body Imaging (liver, spleen, kidney, pancreas)
• Pelvic Imaging (ovaries, uterus)
• Obstetric Imaging for fetal growth, structural surveys, and fetal well being (biophysical profiles)
• Vascular Imaging (carotid ultrasounds, lower extremity venous doppler)
• Breast Imaging

THE DAY OF THE EXAMINATION:

Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment to allow time to process your registration. You may be asked to change into a gown for the procedure.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE EXAMINATION

Ultrasound is an examination that requires continuous contact of a hand-held transducer gliding on the skins surface using a lubricant gel. While you are lying on the exam table, the technologist wil? apply the transducer to your skin. After the pictures are completed, the radiologist will check them to make sure all the necessary pictures have been taken.

Ultrasound imaging is full service and includes:

Same and next day appointments are usually available.

• Low body weight/Small frame
• Tobacco use
• Increasing age
• Post-menopausal status
• Low dietary calcium intake, particularly in adolescence
• Lack of regular weight bearing/anti-gravity exercise
• Steroid use
• Anti-seizure medications
• Eating disorders

Osteoporosis Screening

At Future Diagnostics Group, bone density testing is performed using a table DEXA unit, allowing for measurement of the spine and both hips. These values are obtained along with a risk factor profile, allowing for optimal evaluation of overall fracture risk.
DEXA is also useful for monitoring response to different drug therapies, since changes will be detected in the spine earlier than can be measured with peripheral hand/heel devices.

Table DEXA is very easy, and requires only 25 minutes to complete. Family physicians and obstetricians often order this exam as part of annual health maintenance.

Ultrasound imaging is full service and includes:

Osteoporosis is a disorder characterized by decreased bone strength, either due to bone loss or due to sub-optimal bone growth in childhood/adolescence. In the United States today, 10 million individuals already have osteoporosis, and 18 million more have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for this disorder.

What is Conventional Arthrography?

Conventional arthrography is the x-ray examination of a joint that uses a special form of x-ray called fluoroscopy and a contrast material containing iodine.
Fluoroscopy makes it possible to see internal organs in motion. When iodine is injected into the joint space, it coats the inner lining of the joint structures and appears bright white on an arthrogram, allowing the radiologist to assess the anatomy and function of the joint.

What are some common uses of the procedure?

Arthrographic images help physicians evaluate alterations in structure and function of a joint and help to determine the possible need for treatment, including surgery or joint replacement.

The procedure is most often used to identify abnormalities within the:

The procedure is also used to help diagnose persistent, unexplained joint pain or discomfort.

How should I prepare?

No special preparation is necessary before arthrography. Food and fluid intake do not need to be restricted.
You should inform your physician of any medications you are taking and if you have any allergies, especially to iodinated contrast materials. Also inform your doctor about recent illnesses or other medical conditions.
You may be asked to remove some or all of your clothes and to wear a gown during the exam. You may also be asked to remove jewelry, eye glasses and any metal objects or clothing that might interfere with the x-ray images.

CT Myelogram

Test Overview

A myelogram uses a special dye and X-rays (fluoroscopy) to make pictures of the bones and the fluid-filled space (subarachnoid space) between the bones in your spine (spinal canal). A myelogram may be done to find a tumor, an infection, problems with the spine such as a herniated disc, or narrowing of the spinal canal caused by arthritis.

The spinal canal holds the spinal cord, spinal nerve roots, and the subarachnoid space. A dye is put into the subarachnoid space with a thin needle. The dye moves through the subarachnoid space so the nerve roots and spinal cord can be seen more clearly. Pictures may be taken before and after the dye is used. A myelogram may also be done with a CT scan.

How should I prepare?

Your physician will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for your myelogram.
You should inform your physician of any medications you are taking and if you have any allergies, especially to iodinated contrast materials. Also inform your doctor about recent illnesses or other medical conditions.

Specifically, the physician needs to know if (1) you are taking medications that need to be stopped a few days before the procedure and (2) if you have a history of contrast reaction to the contrast material used for the myelogram.

provides licensed, experienced Anesthesia (anesthetists and anesthesiologists) providers dedicated to the specialty of outpatient anesthesia care. Keeping you safe and comfortable during your procedure is a responsibility we take seriously.
Stat Anesthesia Specialists practitioners are board certified and have had extensive experience in providing anesthesia services in a wide variety of clinical settings, including hospitals, surgery centers, outpatient and outpatient surgical suites. Our professional staff specialize exclusively in the provision of outpatient anesthesia and pain management services.

We primarily utilize Twilight Anesthesia, more commonly known as I.V. Sedation. With Twilight Anesthesia, you, the patient, are kept sedated throughout the outpatient procedure. When it is over, you are easily awakened for a speedy discharge to recover in the comfort of you own home.