Imaging provides more detail information to assist in the care of our patients.

What is a CT scan?

A Computerized Axial Tomography (CT or CAT) scan is an image created by taking information from multiple X-ray beams, showing ‘slices’ of brain, chest, abdomen, etc. These studies are very helpful to discovering many medical problems. But there is a ‘cost’, and not just money. A Head CT scan gives as much radiation exposure as 150 chest X-rays; Chest and Abdominal CT scan give the equivalent of over 500 chest X-rays each. We take care to use medical technology prudently.

What is an MRI?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses very powerful magnets to stimulate molecules in the body; when those molecules ‘relax’, the energy they give off is detected and turned into pictures. These can be very helpful, but are very expensive, and findings may not always make a difference in medical care.