At Charlotte Hungerford Hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging centers, we offer advanced medical imaging services and diagnostic imaging services.
X-Ray
X-rays are waves of electromagnetic radiation that are used to form images of structures inside the body. They are used to assist in the investigation and diagnosis of a wide range of conditions including sprains or fractures, pulmonary conditions, cancer, & digestive abnormalities.
Fluoroscopy uses X-ray and a fluorescent screen to obtain real-time images of movement within the body or to view diagnostic processes. With the aid of contrast agents, Fluoroscopy can be used to view the digestive functions, the blood flow to various organs, blood flow through blood vessels & the movement of a beating heart. Diagnoses in X-ray & Fluoroscopy can assist in the planning of care & various treatments.
CT Scan
CT Scan combines traditional x-ray technology with computer processing to generate a series of cross-sectional images of the body. Those images can later be combined to form a three-dimensional x-ray image. CT images are more detailed than plain radiographs and give doctors the ability to view structures within the body from many different angles. Contrast agents may be used to help in the diagnosis of processes and disease, providing more detailed information for image interpretation. CT scan allows for a faster and more accurate diagnosis than traditional X-ray imaging.
Mammography
A Mammograms is a diagnostic tool in which X-ray is used to image breast tissue, enabling the early detection of breast cancer.
3D Tomosynthesis is a digital mammogram in which both 2D and 3D images of the breast are obtained, improving the ability to detect early breast cancers. Computer software produces synthetic images of the breast in 1 millimeter slices, enabling the Radiologist to scroll through overlapping images, providing better detailed imaging. 3D Mammography imaging is offered at both the Hungerford Diagnostic Mammography and Winsted locations.
Interventional Radiology
Interventional radiology (IR) is a specialty in which image guided technology is used to perform innovative and minimally invasive procedures, enabling disease diagnoses and offering treatments, often eliminating the need for major surgery. IR offers many procedure options, such as biopsies, central line placements, therapeutic services, vascular interventions, and the delivery of cancer-fighting medications directly to tumors.
Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine procedures are safe and painless imaging techniques that document organ function and structure. It uses small amounts of radioactive material, called a radiotracer, to help diagnose, evaluate and treat various diseases. These exams pinpoint molecular activity, giving them the potential to find disease in its earliest stages and evaluating response to treatment.
Nuclear Medicine may be used to assess various conditions and processes including pulmonary function, the detection of neurological conditions, cancer staging and plan treatment and response, assessment of bone tumors, inflammation & arthritis, and organ function.
MRI
MRI uses a large magnet, radio waves and a computer to create a detailed, cross-sectional image of the internal organs and structures of the body to help physicians diagnose diseases and abnormalities.
MRI may be used in the detection of anomalies of the brain & spinal cord, breast cancer screening, evaluation of tumors and cysts in the body, injuries to the various joints, including the back, shoulder & knee, diseases of the liver and other organs & certain heart problems. Unlike X-ray or CT Scan, MRI does not use potentially harmful ionizing radiation in the image acquisition.
PET/CT Scanning
A sophisticated technology that is offered at the Hungerford Diagnostic Center on Kennedy Drive.
This technology takes two existing imaging modalities – PET and CT scans – and fuses them into one machine. One scan allows PET to detect minute fluctuations in the body’s metabolism caused by the growth of abnormal cells, while at the same time CT pinpoints the exact location, shape and size of a tumor.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves and their echoes, which are then translated to images on a computer screen.
Sonographers mover a transducer along the surface of the body at different angles to obtain various views.
Ultrasound can be used to help diagnoses problems with soft tissues, muscles, blood vessels, tendons and joints. It is widely used in obstetrics and gynecology, and is routinely used in evaluating fetal development. It enables the detection of cancer and organ problems, such as the liver, heart, kidney or abdomen. Ultrasound is also routinely used in performing biopsies and procedures. Doppler Ultrasound is used to assess the flow of blood in a vessel or blood pressure. It can determine the speed of blood flow and any obstructions.
Release of Information Forms
A records release form is needed to obtain image services like Radiology Images. The release can be obtained online below, by fax or at the imaging facility.