Imaging Services

TRMC provides excellent and professional service in CT (computed tomography), sometimes called CAT scan.  Our Siemens Somatome Definition 128 slice CT scanner uses special x-ray equipment to obtain image data from different angles around the body and then uses computer processing of the information to show a cross-section of body tissues and organs.

CT imaging is particularly useful because it can show several types of tissue—Lung, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels—with great clarity. Using our specialized equipment and expertise to create and interpret CT scans of the body, our Radiologists can more easily diagnose problems such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, trauma and musculoskeletal disorders.

CT can clearly show even very small bones as well as surrounding tissues such as muscle and blood vessels. This makes it invaluable in diagnosing and treating spinal problems and injuries to the hands, feet and other skeletal structures. CT images can also be used to measure bone mineral density for the detection of osteoporosis. In cases of trauma CT can quickly identify injuries to the liver, spleen, kidneys, brain and other internal organs. CT can also play a significant role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases that can lead to stroke, kidney failure or even death.

CT is one of the best tools for studying the chest and abdomen. It is often the preferred method for diagnosing many different cancers, including lung, liver and pancreatic cancer, since the image allows a physician to confirm the presence of a tumor and measure its size, precise location and the extent of the tumor's involvement with other nearby tissue.

TRMC is pleased to offer the community MRI using the Siemens 1.5T Espree. This MRI uses a strong magnetic field rather than x-rays to provide remarkably clear and detailed pictures of internal organs and tissues. This modality is state of the art for imaging the brain and related vessels as well as disorders of the eyes and inner ears. It requires specialized equipment and expertise and allows evaluation of some body structures that may not be as visible with other imaging methods.

MRI is the most sensitive exam for brain tumors, strokes and certain chronic disorders of the nervous system such as multiple sclerosis. In addition, it is a useful means of documenting brain abnormalities in patients with dementia and it is commonly used for patients with disease of the pituitary gland. MRI can detect tiny areas of tissue abnormality in patients with disease in many parts of the body.

Because the strong magnetic field used for MRI will pull on any metal object implanted in the body, MRI staff will ask whether you have a prosthetic hip, heart pacemaker (or artificial heart valve), implanted port, infusion catheter, intrauterine device (IUD) or any metal plates, pins, screws, surgical staples or any other implanted devices in your body.

You will be asked if you have ever had a bullet or shrapnel in your body or ever worked with metal. If there is any question of metal fragments, you may be asked to have an x-ray that will detect any such metal objects. Tooth fillings usually are not affected by the magnetic field, but they may distort images of the facial area or brain, so our Radiologists should be aware of them. The same is true of braces. You will be asked to remove anything that might degrade MRI images of the head, including hairpins, jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids and any removable dental work.

TRMC provides you with years of professional experience in ultrasound with state of the art Siemens S2000 Touch equipment. Our ultrasound services cover a full range of conditions.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a real-time imaging method, meaning the images are obtained continuously in a manner similar to a video camera. Real-time ultrasound can show the movement of internal tissues and organs, such as the flow of blood in arteries and veins, or the movement of a baby in a mother’s uterus.  Ultrasound, otherwise known as ultrasonography or sonography, is a procedure in which sound waves are used to show structures in the human body. The sound waves reflect off of internal organs and other anatomic structures to create images, which a Radiologist can use to determine if the internal anatomy looks normal or abnormal. No ionizing radiation is used in an ultrasound procedure.

Obstetric ultrasound

Obstetric ultrasound refers to the specialized use of sound waves to visualize and thus determine the condition of a pregnant woman and her embryo or fetus. Obstetric ultrasound can determine and establish the following:

• To estimate the age of the pregnancy.
• To diagnose congenital abnormalities.
• To evaluate the position of the fetus.
• To evaluate the position of the placenta.
• To determine if there are multiple pregnancies.
• To determine the amount of amniotic fluid around the fetus.
• To check for opening or shortening of the cervix or mouth of the womb.

Abdominal Ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging is used extensively for evaluating the liver, kidneys, pancreas, gallbladder, spleen and blood vessels of the abdomen. Because it provides real-time images, it can also be used to:

• Guide procedures such as needle biopsies in which needles are used to sample cells from organs for laboratory testing.
• Help a physician determine the source of many abdominal pains, such as an inflamed appendix or stones in the gall bladder or kidney.
• Help identify the cause for enlargement of an abdominal organ.

Doppler ultrasound

Doppler ultrasound is a special type of ultrasound study that examines major blood vessels. These images can help the physician to see and evaluate:

• Blockages to blood flow, such as clots.
• Build-up of plaque inside the vessel.
• Congenital malformation.

Breast

The primary use of ultrasound today is to help diagnose breast abnormalities detected by a physician during a physical exam and to characterize potential abnormalities seen on mammography.

Ultrasound imaging can help to determine if an abnormality is solid (which may be a non-cancerous lump of tissue or a cancerous tumor) or fluid-filled (such as a benign cyst). Ultrasound can also help show additional features of the abnormal area.

Carotid

When a Carotid Ultrasound is ordered, the most frequent purpose is to detect narrowing, or stenosis, of the carotid artery, which substantially increases the risk of stroke. If your primary care physician detects high blood pressure or a carotid bruit (pronounced brU-E)—an abnormal sound in the neck that is heard with the stethoscope—carotid ultrasound may be needed. Other risk factors calling for ultrasound are advanced age, diabetes, elevated blood cholesterol, and a family history of stroke or heart disease.

If the exam shows narrowing of one or both carotid arteries, your physician may suggest medication, noninvasive angiography, or an operation to restore normal blood flow to the brain. In this way a stroke may be prevented.

Pelvis

A pelvic ultrasound usually focuses on the bladder and the prostate gland. Ultrasound images are captured in real-time, so they can show movement of internal tissues and organs, such as the flow of blood in arteries and veins.

For women, pelvic ultrasound is most often used to examine the uterus and ovaries and, during pregnancy, to monitor the health and development of the embryo or fetus.

A pelvic ultrasound exam can help identify stones, tumors and other disorders in the urinary bladder in men and women. Because ultrasound provides real-time images, it can also be used to guide procedures, like needle biopsies, in which a needle is used to sample cells from an abnormal area for laboratory testing. Doppler sonography is another method of ultrasound that can be used to evaluate blood flow in pelvic vessels.

Scrotum

Ultrasound imaging of the scrotum is the primary imaging method used to evaluate disorders of the testicles and surrounding areas. It is used when a patient is experiencing pain or swelling in the scrotum, a mass has been felt by the patient or doctor, or there's been trauma to the scrotal area.

Scrotal ultrasound imaging can help determine the cause of testicular pain or swelling. Some of the problems ultrasound imaging can identify include: inflammation of the scrotum, an absent or undescended testicle, testicular torsion, abnormal blood vessels or a lump or tumor.

Thyroid

An ultrasound examination of the neck is used to help diagnosis a lump in the thyroid or a thyroid that is not functioning properly. The thyroid gland is located in front of the neck just below the Adam's apple and is shaped like a butterfly, with two lobes on either side of the neck connected by a narrow band of tissue.

Vascular

Ultrasound imaging of the body's veins and arteries can help our Radiologists see and evaluate blockages to blood flow, such as clots in veins and plaque in arteries.

Ultrasound of the vascular system also provides a fast, noninvasive means of identifying blockages of blood flow in the neck arteries to the brain that might produce a stroke or mini-stroke.

Venous Extremities

The most common reason for a venous ultrasound exam is to search for blood clots, especially in the veins of the leg.

Other reasons to do a venous ultrasound study:

• Aid placement of a needle or catheter in a large interior vein. Sonography can help locate the exact site of the vein and avoid complications, such as bleeding or air in the chest cavity.
• Examine a blood vessel graft used for dialysis not working as expected as an area of narrowing in the graft may be responsible.

Nuclear medicine is a specialized area of radiology that uses very small amounts of radioactive materials (given either orally or intravenously) to examine an organ’s structure and function. These images assist physicians in diagnosing diseases and is used to:

• Analyze kidney function
• Image blood flow and function of the heart
• Scan lungs for respiratory and blood-flow problems
• Identify diseases of the gallbladder
• Evaluate bones for fracture, infection, arthritis or tumor
• Determine the presence or spread of cancer
• Identify bleeding into the bowel
• Locate the presence of infection
• Measure thyroid function to detect an overactive or underactive thyroid