What is Computed Tomography?

CT (computed tomography), also called a CAT scan, uses x-ray and computer equipment to produce cross-sectional images from of body issues and organs. CT imaging is useful because it can show several types of tissue, such as lung, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels.

If your provider has ordered a CT Scan, contact Weirton Medical Center to meet with our imaging specialists. For more information, please call our radiology department at 304-797-6021.

What are some common uses of CT?

• Studying the chest and abdomen.
• Diagnosing cancer. CT examinations are often used to:
  • Plan and properly administer radiation treatments for tumors.
  • Guide biopsies and other minimally invasive procedures
  • Plan surgery
  • Determine surgical resectability
• Diagnosing and treating spinal problems and injuries to the hands, feet and other skeletal structures
• Measuring bone mineral density for the detection of osteoporosis
• Identifying injuries to the liver, spleen, kidneys, or other internal organs
• Detecting, diagnosing and treating vascular diseases that can lead to stroke, kidney failure, or even death

How should I prepare for a CAT scan?

• On the day of your exam, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
• Avoid clothing with zippers and snaps as metal objects can affect the image.
• Depending on the part of the body that is being scanned, you may also be asked to remove hair pins, jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids and any dentures.
• You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for one or more hours before the exam.
• Women should inform their doctor or x-ray tech if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.

What should I expect during this exam?

A CT examination usually takes five minutes to half an hour.

• The technologist positions you on the CT table and pillows are used to help keep you still and in the proper position during the scan. The table will move slowly into the CT scanner opening. Depending on the area of the body being examined, the increments of movement may be very small and almost undetectable, or large enough to feel the motion.
• To enhance the visibility of certain tissues or blood vessels, use of different contrast materials may be required. Depending on the type of examination, contrast material may be injected through an IV, swallowed or administered by enema. Before administering the contrast material, you should inform the radiologist or technologist of the following:
  • Any allergies, especially to medications or iodine,
  • Whether you have a history of diabetes, asthma, kidney problems, heart or thyroid conditions. These conditions may indicate a higher risk of reaction to the contrast material or potential problems eliminating the material from the patient’s system after the exam.
• You will be alone in the room during your scan however your technologist can see, hear and speak with you at all times. If necessary, many centers allow a friend or family member to stay in the room with you during the exam. To prevent radiation exposure, the friend or family member will be required to wear a lead apron.
• To determine if more images are needed, you may be asked to wait until the images are reviewed.

What will I experience during the procedure?

CT scanning is painless. Depending on the type of scan you are having, your preparation may differ. To enhance the visibility of body tissue or blood vessels, use of different contrast materials may be administered by:

• Mouth: You may be asked to swallow water or contrast material, a liquid that allows the radiologist to better see the stomach, small bowel and colon. Some patients find the taste of the contrast material slightly unpleasant, but tolerable.
• Enema: For a study of the colon, your exam may require the administration of the contrast material by enema. You will experience a sense of abdominal fullness and may feel an increasing need to expel the liquid. The discomfort is generally mild.
• IV injection: To accentuate the appearance between normal and abnormal tissue in organs like the liver and spleen and to better define the blood vessels and kidneys, a contrast material is commonly injected into a vein. You might feel:
  • Flushed or have a metallic taste in your mouth. These are common reactions which disappear in a minute or two.
  • A mild itching sensation. If the itching persists or is accompanied by hives, it can be easily treated with medication.
  • In very rare cases, you may experience shortness of breath or swelling in the throat or other parts of the body. These can be indications of a more serious reaction to the contrast material. Your technologist should be notified immediately.

Schedule Your CT Scan at Weirton Medical Center Today

If you are in need of a CT Scan, contact Weirton Medical Center to meet with our radiology team for a screening. Our radiologists offer the latest diagnostic technology at Weirton Medical Center in Weirton, WV.

Appointments

For more information, please call our radiology department at 304-797-6021.

Location and Directions

Weirton Medical Center
601 Colliers Way
Weirton, WV 26062

What is MRI?

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, uses strong magnet and radio waves to provide clear and detailed diagnostic images of internal body organs and tissues. MRI is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of a broad range of conditions, including:

• Cancer
• Heart and vascular disease
• Joint and musculoskeletal disorders
• Stroke

MRI allows evaluation of some body structures that may not be as visible with other diagnostic imaging methods.

What are some common uses of MRI?

Imaging of the Musculoskeletal System: MRI is often used to study the knee, ankle, foot, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. MRI is also a highly accurate method for evaluation of soft tissue structures such as tendons and ligaments, which are seen in great detail. Even subtle injuries are easily detected. In addition, MRI is used for the diagnosis of spinal problems including disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and spinal tumors.

Imaging of the Heart: MRI of the heart, aorta, coronary arteries, and blood vessels is a tool for diagnosing coronary artery disease and other heart problems. Doctors can examine the size and thickness of the chambers of the heart and determine the extent of damage caused by a heart attack or heart disease.

Imaging for Cancer and Functional Disorders: Organs of the chest and abdomen such as the liver, lungs, kidney, and other abdominal organs can be examined in great detail with MRI. This aids in the diagnosis and evaluation of tumors and functional disorders. In the early diagnosis of breast cancer, MRI is an alternative to traditional x-ray mammography. Furthermore because there is no radiation exposure is involved, MRI is often used for examination of the male and female reproductive systems.

How should I prepare for an MRI?

• Before your MRI exam, remove all accessories including hair pins, jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids, wigs, dentures. During the exam, these metal objects may interfere with the magnetic field, affecting the quality of the MRI images taken.
• Notify your technologist if you have:
  • any prosthetic joints – hip, knee
  • a heart pacemaker (or artificial heart valve), defibrillator or artificial heart value
  • an intrauterine device (IUD),
  • any metal plates, pins, screws, or surgical staples in your body.
  • tattoos and permanent make-up.
  • a bullet or shrapnel in your body, or ever worked with metal.
  • if you might be pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant.
  • if you are claustrophobic. Some patients who undergo MRI in an enclosed unit may feel confined. If you are not easily reassured, a sedative may be administered.

What should I expect during this exam?

Depending on how many images are needed, the exam generally takes 15 to 45 minutes. However, very detailed studies may take longer.

• You must lie down on a sliding table and be comfortably positioned.
• Even though the technologist must leave the room, you will be able to communicate with them at any time using an intercom.
• If necessary, many MRI centers allow a friend or family member to stay in the room with you during the exam.
• You will be asked remain still during the actual imaging process. However, between sequences, which last between 2-15 minutes, slight movement is allowed.
• Depending on the part of the body being examined, a contrast material may be used to enhance the visibility of certain tissues or blood vessels. A small needle is placed in your arm or hand vein and a saline solution IV drip will run through the intravenous line to prevent clotting. About two-thirds of the way through the exam, the contrast material is injected.

What will I experience during an MRI?

• MRI is painless.
• Some claustrophobic patients may experience a “closed in” feeling. If this is a concern, a sedative may be administered. Also, newer open MRI machines have helped to alleviate this reaction.
• You will hear loud tapping or thumping during the exam. Earplugs or earphones may be provided to you by the MRI center.
• You may feel warmth in the area being examined. This is normal.
• If a contrast injection is needed, there may be some discomfort at the injection site. You may also feel a cool sensation at the site during the injection.

Schedule Your MRI with Weirton Medical Center

If your provider orders an MRI for diagnostic imaging, contact Weirton Medical Center to schedule your testing with our radiologists.

Appointments

To schedule your visit, please call our radiology department at 304-797-6021.

Location and Directions

Weirton Medical Center
601 Colliers Way
Weirton, WV 26062

2D mammograms have long been the standard when screening women for breast cancer. In more recent years, this technology has evolved to produce an entirely new imaging test that creates a three-dimensional photo of the breast, which offers many more details about the breast tissue and potential areas of concern.

How a 3D Mammogram Is Made

A 3D mammogram, which is also frequently referred to as digital breast tomosynthesis, utilizes many X-ray images of the breast that are then combined to produce a three-dimensional view of the patient’s breast tissue. All X-rays are taken while the breast is compressed on a flat surface, which is similar to the process completed during a regular 2D mammogram.

It is ideal to compress the breast in order to widen the surface area and hold the tissue in place for a few seconds so that a clear image can be produced. Motion during an X-ray typically leads to a blurred photo, which can lead to misdiagnosis or obscured sections of the breast.

The imaging test itself typically lasts for approximately 10 minutes, though this may vary depending upon the particular patient and how many X-rays are taken to obtain various angles of the breast tissue. DOCTOR will then review these images to determine if follow up treatment is needed.

Who Is a Candidate for a 3D Mammogram?

Any person can have a 3D mammogram performed. Some patients simply prefer this more detailed type of diagnostic imaging, while others may have the examination specially ordered by your provider.

While mammograms are of course vital in detecting and diagnosing cases of breast cancer, this is not the only factor that may influence the decision to order this particular test. Other considerations can include:

• Their age: It is generally recommended for any female that is due for a mammogram to consider opting for a 3D mammogram. More specifically, women over 40 years of age should discuss this option with your doctor, as more mature individuals are at higher risk for developing breast cancer.
• Known presence of dense breast tissue: Many women will experience gradually more dense breast tissue development as they age. Unfortunately, dense tissue can appear quite similar to abnormal or cancerous tissue on an X-ray. A 3D mammogram is better able to discern these varying levels of thickness in breast tissue compared to other types of mammographic tests.
• Foregoing additional imaging: Since regular 2D mammograms can be less accurate, they have a higher likelihood of producing inconclusive or abnormal results. If your provider notices any areas of concern based on a 2D mammogram, they will of course order follow-up evaluations of the patient’s breast to be conducted. Completing a 3D mammogram as the first step is often able to eliminate the potential need for multiple tests.
• Improved detection rates: While 2D mammogram imaging is often sufficient to identify problematic areas in a patient’s breast tissue, 3D mammogram photos are simply more accurate in these findings. Statistically, a 3D mammogram is able to diagnose roughly 4 additional breast cases for every 1,000 women screened. This may not seem like a large variance, though it can be an imperative difference in how quickly patients are able to be diagnosed and thereby treated for breast cancer.

Schedule Your 3D Mammogram

If you are in need of a 3D mammogram for further testing for breast cancer, contact Weirton Medical Center to schedule a 3D mammogram. To learn more about 3D mammography, or other forms of diagnostic imaging they may wish to complete, please call our radiology department at 304-797-6021.

Location and Directions

Weirton Medical Center
601 Colliers Way
Weirton, WV 26062

What Is an X-Ray?

X-ray is the oldest and most frequently used form of diagnostic imaging. X-rays can produce detailed images of the human body on film or in a digital format, which allows physicians to view and assess broken bones or other injuries. X-rays are an important tool in guiding orthopedic surgery and in the treatment of sports-related injuries. X-ray images may uncover more advanced forms of cancer in a patient’s bones, although traditional cancer screenings will typically require other types of diagnostic testing.

If you are seeking diagnosis of a bone condition or injury, contact Weirton Medical Center for x-ray imaging. To meet with our radiologists, please call our Radiology department at 304-797-6021.

Common Uses of X-Ray Imaging

• Assist your provider in identifying and treating bone degeneration or fractures.
• View, monitor, or diagnose joint injuries and infections, such as arthritis, artery blockages, and chronic abdominal pain.
• Detection and diagnosis of cancer, although usually computed tomography (CT) scans or MRIs are preferred since they are able to provide much more detailed insights that can determine more about the extent and the nature of a suspected cancer.

Preparing for an X-Ray

There is no special preparation required for most X-rays. Patients may be asked to change into a dressing gown before the examination, and to remove any jewelry, eyeglasses, or metal objects that can interfere with the results of the X-ray.

Women should always inform the technologist prior to the X-ray being taken if there is any possibility that they could be pregnant.

What to Expect During the Exam

An X-ray usually takes between 5 to 30 minutes. The exact length of time will depend on how many images are required. Generally, this process will include:

• Being appropriately positioned by the technologist while standing or lying down, and then having a film holder placed behind or under the body.
• Pillows may be used to help hold the patient in a certain pose.
• The technologist will step behind a radiation barrier and ask the patient to hold very still, without breathing for a few seconds.
• The X-ray equipment is activated, sending a beam of X-rays through the body to expose the film.
• The technologist then repositions the individual to get images at another angle, and the process is repeated as many times as is necessary.
• X-rays are often generated quite quickly, so patients can usually review their results with a technologist or physician immediately after they conclude their final image.

Common Concerns and Questions

Getting an X-ray is completely painless, and does not require any sort of anesthetic before or after the diagnostic imaging process. Some patients report minor discomfort while engaged in certain positions, while holding their breath, or from the cold table surface that they may be asked to lay on during their X-ray. All of these situations should resolve themselves quickly after the images are taken, and will not result in any significant side effects.

Schedule Your X-Ray Imaging

If you have additional questions regarding X-ray imaging, please contact Weirton Medical Center 304-797-6021 to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists at our imaging center in Weirton, WV. Patients can also contact us to address any upcoming imaging tests, or to request an update on the results of any X-rays already completed.

Location and Directions

Weirton Medical Center
601 Colliers Way
Weirton, WV 26062