During the test, you will lie on a table that is attached to the CT scanner, which is a large doughnut-shaped machine. The CT scanner sends X-rays through the body area being studied. Each rotation of the scanner takes less than a second and provides a picture of a thin slice of the organ or area. All of the pictures are saved as a group on a computer. They also can be printed.

An iodine dye (contrast material) is often used to make structures and organs easier to see on the CT pictures. The dye may be used to check blood flow, find tumors, and look for other problems.The dye can be used in different ways, such as put in a vein (IV) in your arm. It may be put in a vein (IV) in your arm, For some types of CT scans you drink the dye. CT pictures may be taken before and after the dye is used.

A CT scan can be used to study all parts of your body, such as the chest, belly, pelvis, or an arm or leg. It can take pictures of body organs, such as the liver, pancreas, intestines, kidneys, bladder, adrenal glands, lungs, and heart. It also can study blood vessels, check for calcifications in your heart vessels, bones, and the spinal cord.

A CT scan usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Preparing for your test: If you have a CT scan of your belly, you may be asked to not eat any solid foods starting the night before your scan. For a CT scan of the belly, you may drink contrast material. For some CT scans, you may need a laxative or an enema before the test.

You may need to take off any jewelry. You will need to take off all or most of your clothes, depending on which area is studied. You may be able to wear your underwear for some scans. You will be given a gown to use during the test.

Screening mammography is an x-ray of the breast used to detect breast changes in women who have no signs or symptoms of breast cancer. Mammography uses safe, low dose x-rays to produce an image of the inside of the breast on film.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) recommends that women have screen mammograms: Women aged 40 and older should have mammograms every 1-2 years. Women who are at higher than average risk of breast cancer should talk to their health care providers about whether to have mammograms before age 40 and how often to have them. On the day of your exam, wear a skirt or pants, since you will need to remove your top for the test. Please do not wear deodorant or antiperspirant, since these can show up on the film and interfere with your test results. Please bring or arrange to have sent a copy of your past mammograms for comparison.

Ultrasound is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

Ultrasound produces high-frequency sound waves to produce high-quality images of soft tissues and motion within the body. The ability to measure different echos reflected from a variety of tissues allows a picture to be constructed.

Ultrasound is a way of examining internal organs, including but not limited to, heart and blood vessels, abdomen, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, thyroid and scrotum.

In preparing for your ultrasound exam, you should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. You may need to remove clothing and jewelry and may be asked to wear a gown during the procedure.

What is DEXA Scanning:
A DEXA bone densitometry scan measures your bone mineral density or bone mass. DEXA scanning is today’s established standard for measuring bone mineral density. DEXA is most often used to diagnose osteoporosis, a gradual loss of calcium, which causes the bones to become thinner and more likely to break.

How is DEXA scanning helpful?
A DEXA bone densitometry scan can determine if you have, or are at risk for, osteoporosis. DEXA helps determine a patient’s risk for future bone fractures before they occur. Assists your physician in deciding whether you would benefit from bone replacement therapy.

How is the Test Performed?
For the test, a patient lies down on an examining table and the scanner rapidly directs low dose x-ray energy to measure bone mineral density at the hip and spine, which are two sites that have the greatest potential for a disabling fracture. The DEXA test takes approximately 10-15 minutes.

There are no special preparations required for the examination. On the day of the test, wear loose comfortable clothing and avoid garments that have belts, zippers or buttons made of metal.

An x-ray (radiograph) is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Imaging with x-rays involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body. X-rays are the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging.

X-ray procedures performed at Physicians Primary Care include, but are not limited to, x-rays of the chest, head, spine, and extremities.

Most x-rays require no special preparation. You may be asked to remove some or all of your clothing and to wear a gown during the examination. Women should always inform the x-ray technician if there is any possibility that they may be pregnant.