When your doctor needs help detecting an injury or illness, they order a medical digital imaging procedure to explore the problem area. It is natural to feel nervous before a medical exam, but learning about your procedure may help to calm your nerves. Here are the different types of digital imaging procedures.
Open or 3T High-Field MRI
Your doctor may order an MRI to investigate an issue with your chest, abdomen, brain or spinal cord. A 3T high-field MRI features a wide bore design, and an open MRI is not enclosed on either side of your body. The wide bore and open scanners are designed to bring physical comfort and a piece of mind during your procedure.
16 Slice CT Scan
A 16 slice CT scan is used to detect an issue with areas such as your pelvis, gallbladder, pancreas and urinary tract. The machine uses a computer and X-ray sensing unit to scan the target area. It is a painless procedure that uses very little radiation, and all you have to do is lie on the cushioned table as it moves through the rotating tube.
High-Resolution Ultrasound
You may need a high-resolution ultrasound to check out your liver, spleen, heart or kidney. You are going to start by lying on a cushioned table. Your technician uses a transducer to transmit inaudible sound waves through your body, which bounce back to deliver information on your organs and soft tissues. The test is painless and uses a low dose of radiation.
Digital X-Ray
Your doctor may need a digital X-ray to investigate an issue in your joints, bones and abdominal area. It is also used to find a foreign object in your soft tissue. You are going to lie on a cushioned table or stand next to a cassette holder, but this depends on what area of your body is being scanned. This painless procedure only takes about 10 to 30 minutes.
Scheduling your medical exam is essential to diagnosing your condition. This allows your doctor to come up with a treatment plan to get you back on your feet.