Austin Radiological Association

A radiological exam is a test that uses radiation or other imaging procedures to view a specific area of your body for diagnostic purposes. ARA offers several different types of diagnostic exams in our comfortable and conveniently located outpatient centers.

Bone Densitometry
Osteoporosis is a leading cause of disability among older people, particularly elderly women. Bones weakened by mineral loss are prone to fractures, especially in the spine and hip. Low bone density is measured by a number of techniques. These techniques all measure bone mineralization and detect osteoporosis or bone loss due to menopause, medications or other risk factors. DEXA scan is one of the most widely used detectors of bone mineral density. The use of low dose radiation in conjunction with highly sophisticated computerized analysis provides unique and accurate information about bone density. One of our board-certified radiologists will interpret the results. Your test results will assist your physician in determining if treatment for bone loss is necessary.

is very useful because it can show several types of tissue. It not only images bone and air like conventional radiographs, but also clearly demonstrates soft tissue structures of the body: organs, muscles and blood vessels. Some of these structures would only appear as indistinct gray masses on conventional radiographs. Moreover, CT imaging can distinguish between normal and diseased or injured tissue based on changes in size, shape and appearance of the tissue. These scans are used to look at all parts of the body. A wide variety of problems and diseases are evaluated such as injuries (trauma), cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, inflammation and cancer. CT scanners are one of the most versatile diagnostic imaging tools available today.
Austin Radiological Association has MDCT (multi-detector CT) scanners at all of its facilities. With MDCT, the refinements in detector technology support faster, higher quality image acquisition with less radiation exposure. These “spiral” or “helical” scanners can obtain images of the body within a single breath hold. MDCT also allows applications such as CT angiography to be more successful.

Fluoroscopy
These studies are performed with a machine called a fluoroscope. This is a device that has a tilting table connected to an x-ray machine and a television screen. The fluoroscope produces a real-time x-ray image of you on the TV screen while you are on the table. The images on the screen can then be turned into permanent images, which are used for diagnosis. Many fluoroscopic procedures use a liquid contrast (dye). This liquid comes in different forms, which make it much easier for x-rays to show internal parts of the body such as the stomach, esophogus, or colon. Images are taken on the fluoroscope as the contrast material passes through these parts of your body. A trained and experienced radiologist will interpret the study.

Interventional
Interventional radiology is a rapidly growing area of medicine. Interventional radiologists are physicians who specialize in minimally invasive, targeted treatments performed using imaging guidance. Interventional radiology procedures are an advance in medicine that replace open surgical procedures. They are generally easier for the patient because they involve no large incisions, less risk, less pain and shorter recovery times. 
The interventional radiologists at ARA are all licensed medical doctors with board certification in diagnostic radiology and have advanced subspecialty training through an additional one year fellowship.

MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a type of imaging that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to generate images of the body. The MRI scanner creates a strong magnetic field through the body, then it sends radio waves into the body and assesses the response sent back from the different tissues. Under the influence of the magnetic field, different tissues send back different responses to the radio waves. Also, certain diseased or injured tissues send responses that are different from healthy ones. A computer in the scanner processes the different responses, and where they came from, into images of the body. These are displayed as slices, like slices through an orange or a loaf of bread. The images are sent to the radiologist for interpretation. Depending on the part of the body being evaluated, the images may be interpreted by a neuroradiologist, body radiologist, or musculoskeletal radiologist. There are no x-rays used in this type of imaging. MRI provides excellent images of the brain and spine, and can be used to evaluate for tumors, infections, stroke, and injuries. It can also be used to evaluate muscles and joints for injury, infection, and tumors. Most of the internal organs in the abdomen and pelvis are well imaged by MRI.

Myelogram
A myelogram uses a special dye and an X-ray (fluoroscopy) to make pictures of the bones and the space (subarachnoid space) between the bones in your spine (spinal canal). A myelogram may be done to find a tumor, an infection, problems with the spine such as a herniated disc, or arthritis. 

The spinal canal holds the spinal cord, spinal nerve roots, and a fluid-filled space called the subarachnoid space. A dye is put into the subarachnoid space with a thin needle. The dye moves through the subarachnoid space so the nerve roots and spinal cord can be seen more clearly. Pictures may be taken before and after the dye is used. A myelogram may also be done with a CT scan. 

NeuroInterventional Surgery 

is a rapidly growing area of medicine. The procedures are an advance in medicine that offers minimally invasive alternatives to traditional open surgical procedures of the head, neck and spine. The procedures are generally easier for patients because they involve small incisions, less risk, less pain and shorter recovery times. The neurointerventional surgeons at ARA are all licensed medical doctors with board certification in diagnostic radiology and have specialized training in minimally invasive, targeted treatments performed using imaging guidance. 

Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine includes multiple exams that take advantage of differences in metabolism and function of normal versus diseased tissue to identify and treat diseases. Nuclear medicine is used to diagnose infection, cancer, trauma, and abnormal function in many organs of the body. It is also used to treat overactive thyroid, as well as certain cancers in the bones, thyroid, and a type of lymphoma. For a nuclear medicine scan or treatment, a substance called a radiopharmaceutical is ingested or injected into the body. The radiopharmaceutical should cause no discomfort. Different types of radiopharmaceuticals go to different parts of the body—bones, lungs, kidneys, etc.—and are taken up differently by normal and diseased tissues. For a short time, the radiopharmaceutical emits gamma rays, which are a type of x-ray similar to the x-rays used to make plain radiographs. Low dose gamma rays are used for scans, and are collected on a nuclear medicine camera to produce images. Doses for treatment are higher, but are largely limited to the diseased tissues being treated. A trained and experienced radiologist will then interpret the scan and forward a report to your doctor.

PET/CT
PET/CT combines the imaging abilities of two state-of-the-art technologies into a single exam. The highly sensitive PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan allows radiologists to detect abnormal cellular activity in the body in order to identify Cancer, Brain Disorders and Heart Disease. The CT (Computed Tomography) scan provides precise anatomical detail (size and location of lesions, etc.). Essentially, lesions are detected with PET and then precisely located with CT. PET/CT is one of the most powerful tools in cancer diagnosis and staging. PET/CT also provides valuable information in diagnosis of several neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

With PET and CT combined, there are tremendous benefits:

• Early detection of disease
• Accurate staging and localization of disease
• Facilitated monitoring of treatment

In addition, the combined scan saves time. A typical whole body scan that includes both a PET scan and a CT scan takes about 30 minutes. This is less time than it would take to obtain both exams separately.Routine X-rays or Plain FilmsX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation used in imaging or therapy that uses short wavelength energy beams which penetrate the body to form an image on film. The x-rays pass through different tissues of the body and onto the film in different amounts. For instance, very few x-rays pass through bones, so they appear white on the film; more pass through muscle, so they appear gray, etc. Metal and contrast media (intravenous or oral contrast) block almost all the photons and will appear bright white. These differences are what create the image on the film. Routine x-rays or plain films are x-rays taken without the use of contrast medium. Many parts of the body such as chest and bones are imaged this way. X-rays can help detect pneumonia, fractures, obstructions, tumors, and other diseases.

How Does the Routine X-ray exam work?
The test is performed by an x-ray technologist. The positioning of the patient, x-ray machine, and film depends on the type of study and area of interest. Multiple individual views may be requested. In most cases, you will be able to wear your own clothing. For some studies, you may be asked to change into a gown, or remove metal objects such as jewelry from the path of the x-rays. A piece of film is placed next to a part of your body such as your chest or your hand. One or more images are taken in different views. The film is then developed and brought to the radiologist for review. Typically, the exam takes 15 minutes or less.

Sedation/Pain Management
At Austin Radiological Association, we are able to provide sedation and pain management services that make imaging exams more comfortable for people who are claustrophobic or need pain medication in order to remain still for the exam. We can also provide sedation for children who require medical imaging and would otherwise be unable to remain still for an exam. Our registered nurses and paramedics have the training and experience necessary to make your exam, or your child's exam, a safe and comfortable experience. Below is an overview of our services. 

Light Sedation:

Ultrasound imaging

also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. The ultrasound machine consists of a sophisticated computer connected by a cord to a type of microphone device. This device, called a transducer, is actually a combination sound transmitter and microphone. The transducer sends out high-pitched sounds into your body. The sounds are above the hearing range for humans. It then listens for the echoes that come back from your tissues. Different tissues of the body send back different echoes. Also, certain diseased or injured tissues send back different echoes than healthy tissues. The computer takes the information from the echoes and turns it into a set of images. The images are then interpreted by a radiologist.

Doppler ultrasound

is a special ultrasound technique that evaluates blood as it flows through a blood vessel, including the body’s major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs, and neck.

Ultrasound

is used to look at soft tissue structures in the abdomen. It can evaluate for infection, inflammation, and tumors. It is especially good at detecting gallstones. Ultrasound is also good at evaluating pelvic structures in women. It is one of the best ways to look for cysts and tumors. Because it uses no x-rays, it is also an excellent way of evaluating pregnancies.

Wellness Exams
Wellness exams are the foundation for health promotion and disease identification and management throughout your life. It is no secret that healthy living and early detection of disease increases not only your length of life but, more importantly, your quality of living. Because your health is important to us, ARA offers a variety of wellness exams to help detect a potential health issue before it becomes a problem.