Imaging and Diagnostic Services at LeConte Medical Center

Computed Axial Tomography is also known as a CT or CAT scan. It is an imaging test that uses x-rays and computerized imagery to make detailed images of the body, including bones, muscles, fat, and organs. All CT technologists at LeConte Medical Center are registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists® (ARRT), with an advanced registry in Computed Tomography.

Lung cancer is the nation’s leading cancer killer, taking the lives of more people each year than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined. Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography scans and appropriate follow-up care reduces lung cancer deaths.

At LeConte Medical Center, we recommend low dose CT scans for individuals who are—

• Between the ages of 50-77
• Currently smoke or have quit smoking within the last 15 years
• Have a tobacco smoking history of at least 20 “pack years” (an average of 1 pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years).

Your physician must write an order for you to be screened.

What to expect when you receive a lung cancer screening at LeConte Medical Center—

• The screening is painless and takes about ten seconds
• This procedure is non-invasive and requires no medication
• You will lie still on a table as it passes through the center of the CT scanner
• You may be asked to hold your breath one or more times during the scan
• You can eat and drink as normal before and after the exam

LeConte Medical Center offers full-service diagnostic heart catheterization services through a fully-digital Toshiba Cath Lab.

Cardiac catheterization is a medical procedure used to diagnose and treat some heart conditions. A long, thin, flexible tube called a catheter is placed into a blood vessel. Your doctor can do diagnostic tests and treatments on your heart through the catheter.

Mammography is best for early breast health detection. Our Breast Center has earned the American College of Radiology’s prestigious Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation. It offers various diagnostic services such as to serve your breast health needs.

Some of our services include:

• 2D and 3D mammography
• Stereotactic breast biopsy
• MRI-guided breast biopsy
• Breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy
• Automated Breast Ultrasound Screening for dense tissue
• Screening breast ultrasound exams for dense tissue
• Breast MRI
• Bone densitometry

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive procedure that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the body. Unlike conventional radiography and CT, radiation is not needed. Our Siemens Healthineers Magnetom Sola machine features a wide-bore design, enhancing patient comfort with its wider opening.

MRI technologists at LeConte Medical Center are American Registry of Radiologic Technologists® with an advanced registry in MRI.

Nuclear Medicine specialists use radioactive material to access the function of organs or systems within the body. Nuclear Medicine uses small quantities of radioactive materials, called isotopes, targeted to specific organ systems or tissues within the body. These can be introduced into the body in different ways.

Depending on the type of nuclear medicine exam, the radiotracer is either injected into a vein, swallowed, or inhaled as a gas. A small amount of radiation is then detected using a nuclear medicine gamma camera. This safe and painless technique often spots abnormalities early in a disease’s progression. It also provides a way to gather information that otherwise would be unavailable, require surgery or more expensive diagnostic tests.

All Nuclear Medicine technologists at LeConte Medical Center are registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists® (ARRT) and/or Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT) registered.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET/CT) combines the functional information of a PET scan with the anatomical information of a Computed Tomography (CT) scan. PET scans can detect changes in cellular function, such as; how your cells utilize nutrients like sugar and oxygen. However, CT scans capture cross-sectional images of the body.

Once the PET and CT are combined, the CT provides more anatomical details of the body to see where the metabolic changes occur. This safe and painless technique can provide information for your physician to make an early diagnosis.

PET/CT uses small quantities of radioactive materials, called an isotope, targeted to specific organ systems or tissues within the body. The isotope is introduced into the body by being injected into a vein. All PET/CT technologists at LeConte Medical Center are registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists® (ARRT) and/or Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT).

Interventional Radiology (IR) is a subspecialty of Radiology in which minimally invasive procedures are performed using image guidance. The concept behind IR is to diagnose or treat pathology with the most minimally invasive technique possible. IR procedures can reduce infection rates, recovery times and shorten hospital stays.

As a result, many IR procedures are performed with conscious sedation.

Ultrasound imaging, also called sonography, uses high-frequency sound waves to obtain images of the inside of the body. Benefits of ultrasound include more comprehensive and reliable exam data, faster tests and improved patient comfort. Ultrasound exams do not use radiation. 

All sonographers at LeConte Medical Center are American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography® (ARDMS) registered.

X-rays are a type of radiation called electromagnetic waves. X-ray imaging creates pictures of the inside of your body by emitting individual particles through the body that then get detected. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is used for bone density testing to measure the density and strength of bones. 

Radiation protection and minimization of patient exposure is always considered for patient safety.

Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy is a technique for obtaining real-time x-ray images of a patient. A dye that shows up on x-rays is injected or swallowed to outline blood vessels or organs as it moves through the body. This process allows the physician to see images inside the body on a TV monitor.

Fluoroscopy is often used to see the digestive tract. It also can help doctors locate a foreign object in the body, set a broken bone or position a catheter or needle for a procedure.

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

An arterial blood gas (ABG) test measures your blood’s oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. It also measures your body’s acid-base (pH) level, which is usually balanced when healthy. The test gives your doctor clues about how well your lungs, heart, and kidneys work.

ABG checks for severe breathing and lung problems such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obstructive sleep apnea, or whether you need extra oxygen or other help with breathing.

Cardioversion

Arrhythmias can cause problems such as fainting, stroke, heart attack, and even sudden cardiac death. Cardioversion is a procedure used to return an abnormal heartbeat to a normal rhythm. This procedure is used when the heart is beating fast or irregularly.

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

An electrocardiogram (EKG) is one of the simplest and fastest tests to evaluate the heart. An ECG records these impulses to show how fast the heart is beating, the rhythm of the heart beats (steady or irregular), and the strength and timing of the electrical impulses as they move through the different parts of the heart.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram uses sound waves to produce images of the heart. This test allows doctors to see your heart beating and pumping blood. Your doctor can use the images from an echocardiogram to identify heart disease.

Stress Echocardiogram (Stress Echo)

A stress echocardiogram is a test done to assess how well the heart works under stress. The “stress” can be triggered by either exercise on a treadmill or a medicine called dobutamine. A dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE) may be used if you cannot exercise.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)

A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is a special type of echocardiogram. It is done with a scope placed down the esophagus under sedation. The scope uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to examine the heart’s structures.

It is usually done when your doctor wants a more detailed look at your heart.

Pulmonary Function Screening (PFT)

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are noninvasive tests showing how well the lungs work. The tests measure lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange. This information can help your healthcare provider diagnose and treat certain lung disorders.

Pulmonary Function Test with Bronchodilator

A bronchodilator challenge may be done as part of a spirometry test or full PFTs to identify airway diseases or assess current therapy’s effectiveness. A baseline test is completed and then a bronchodilator, usually via a nebulizer, is administered followed by repeating the spirometry.

Diffusing Capacity of Lungs for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO)

Spirometry is the most common and widely used lung function test, followed by diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO). DLCO is a measurement to assess the lungs’ ability to transfer gas from inspired air to the bloodstream.

Lung Volumes

Lung Volume testing is another commonly performed lung function test. It is more precise than spirometry and measures the air volume in the lungs, including the air that remains at the end of a normal breath. In addition, a diffusing capacity test measures how easily oxygen enters the bloodstream.

Methacholine Challenge

The methacholine challenge test (bronchoprovocation test) is used to evaluate how “reactive” or “responsive” your lungs are.

It can help your doctor evaluate symptoms suggestive of asthma, such as cough, chest tightness and shortness of breath. During the test, you will inhale doses of methacholine, a drug that can cause narrowing of the airways. The breathing test will be repeated after each dose of methacholine to measure the degree of narrowing or constriction of the airways.

The test starts with a minimal dose of methacholine. Depending on your response, the amounts will be increased until you experience a 20 percent drop in breathing ability or reach a maximum quantity with no change in your lung function.