Calcium scoring is performed at Dignity Health Imaging Center in Prescott. You’ll find a map and other information here.

 

Performed using advanced CT scan technology, calcium scoring uncovers warning signs of heart disease. This advanced technology can detect the presence of calcium deposits in the coronary arteries, the vessels that supply blood to the heart. These deposits can calcify and over time lead to angina (chest pain) or heart attack.

 

Because calcium is a marker of heart disease, the amount of calcium detected on a cardiac CT scan – a calcium score – provides useful information for you and your physician.

 

Your physician will recommend that you undergo a blood lipid analysis before calcium scoring. This can be performed at a laboratory and will require that you fast for 12 hours prior to the blood test. You should also:

• Continue to take your usual medications.
• Avoid caffeine and do not use tobacco four hours prior to the exam.
• Remove metal objects, including jewelry, eyeglasses, piercings, dentures, removable dental work, hearing aids and hairpins.
• Women should not wear bras with metal underwire during this exam.
• Leave valuables – jewelry and credit cards, for example – at home.

 

Calcium scoring should not be performed if you are:

• Pregnant or think you could be pregnant.
• Undergoing radiation therapy.

 

You will be asked to lie down on a special scanning table and the technologist will place small electrode patches on three areas of your chest. Men may need to have their chests partially shaved to help the electrodes adhere. These electrodes will then be attached to an electrocardiograph (EKG) monitor to chart your heart’s electrical activity during the test. When the brief exam begins, you’ll feel the scanning table move inside the donut-shaped CT scanner. The scanner will take multiple images that will allow the radiologist to determine the presence of any calcification.

 

You may resume your usual activites immediately following the exam.

 

One of our experienced radiologists will interpret your exam and report the results to your physician. The doctor who referred you for the exam will share the results with you.

 

CT is performed at the Dignity Health Imaging Center in Prescott and Prescott Valley.

 

CT scans combine x-rays and computers to produce cross-sectional images of the body’s organs, bones and tissues.

 

CT scans provide physicians valuable diagnostic information to:

• Evaluate the body’s internal organs
• Detect broken bones
• Look at major blood vessels in the brain and body

 

 

The answer to this question depends on the type of CT exam your physician has ordered. For example, if your doctor has prescribed intravenous contrast material with the CT scan, you may need a blood test to determine a compatible contrast agent. If you're having an abdominal or pelvic CT scan, you’ll pick up the “oral preparation” where your scan is scheduled. The oral preparation is done the evening before your scan.

 

One of our technologists will ensure you’re lying in the correct position on the CT exam table. The table will then automatically move into place for imaging. It’s important that you remain as still as possible during the entire CT scan as movement can blur the images. If your CT exam includes contrast, you could feel flushed after it’s injected. Some people also experience a metallic taste. These are common reactions. If you have shortness of breath or any other unusual symptoms, please speak to one of our technologists.

 

You may resume your usual activities and normal diet after your CT scan. If you received contrast during your scan, drink lots of water to help flush the contrast from your system.

 

One of our experienced radiologists will interpret your exam and report the results to your physician. The doctor who referred you for the exam will share the results with you.

 

Digital mammography is performed at the Dignity Health Imaging Center in Prescott and the Breast Care Center in Prescott Valley.

 

Digital mammography uses electronics to convert x-rays into pictures of the breast. Digital mammography can produce higher quality images than conventional mammography and with less radiation. Images taken during a digital mammogram are transferred to a computer for review by one of our radiologists.

 

Mammography is the best way to screen for early-stage breast cancer, which is when cancer is most treatable. YRMC's low-dose, digital mammography system allows our radiologists to capture and maneuver images in order to detect abnormalities.

 

When scheduling your digital mammogram appointment, one of our team members will ask the following:

• Where did your last mammogram take place?
• Have you had breast surgery in the past or do you have breast implants?
• Do you have special needs, such as a walker or wheelchair?
• Are you pregnant or think that you could be pregnant?

 

Remember, when you're getting ready on the day of your digital mammogram:

• Do not use perfume, cream, powder or deodorant.
• Wear a two-piece outfit, as only the upper garment is removed for the exam.
• Leave valuables – jewelry and credit cards, for example – at home.

 

Mammograms have a reputation for being uncomfortable as its necessary to compress the breast while taking images. The compression, which lasts three to five seconds, allows the mammography equipment to obtain the clearest possible image. For your comfort, our team uses a cushion, called the MammoPad, that’s between the breast and the mammography system. The MammoPad helps position the breast for improved imaging and also increases your comfort.

 

You may resume your usual activities immediately following the exam.

 

One of our experienced radiologists will interpret your exam and report the results to your physician. The doctor who referred you for the exam will share the results with you.

 

DEXA is performed at the Dignity Health Imaging Center in Prescott and the Breast Care Center in Prescott Valley.

 

A DEXA scan is an imaging test that measures bone density (strength). DEXA scans provide helpful details about your risk for osteoporosis (bone loss) and bone fractures.

 

DEXA is most often recommended to:

• Diagnose osteoporosis, a condition that causes gradual bone loss, structural changes in the body and bone fractures.
• Assess an individual’s risk for fractures.
• Track the success of treatment for osteoporosis as well as other conditions that lead to bone loss.

 

 

Tell your physician if there is a possibility that you’re pregnant. It’s also important to let your doctor know if you recently had a barium exam or if you received an injection of contrast material for a CT scan or a radioisotope scan. If you have undergone either of these types of studies, you may have to wait ten to 14 days for your DEXA exam.

 

During a DEXA exam, you will lie flat on a comfortable, padded table. An x-ray generator is located below you and an imaging device, or detector, is positioned above. For a scan of the spine, your legs are supported on a padded box, which flattens the pelvis and lower (lumbar) spine. For your hip, your foot is placed in a brace in order to rotate the hip inward. In both cases, the detector is slowly passed over the area to generate images on a computer monitor. A radiologic technologist will ask you to hold very still and possibly to hold your breath for a few seconds while the image is taken. This helps ensure a clear image.

 

You may resume your usual activities immediately following your DEXA exam. You may also return to your regular calcium dose.

 

One of our experienced radiologists will interpret your exam and report the results to your physician. The doctor who referred you for the exam will share the results with you.

 

Fluoroscopy is performed at the Dignity Health Imaging Center in Prescott and Prescott Valley.

 

Fluoroscopy is a real-time imaging study of different structures and systems throughout the body. A continuous x-ray beam is passed through the body part being examined. The beam is transmitted to a monitor so that the body part and its motion can be viewed in detail.

 

Using fluoroscopy, radiologists create real-time, high-resolution images for more accurate diagnoses. Fluoroscopy is used to examine the upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tracts – esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine (colon) and rectum – for abnormalities. Fluoroscopy also is used to examine the urinary tract.

 

Proper preparation is essential in order for fluoroscopy tests to be performed correctly. The following pre-exam instructions are based on the type of test you will undergo:

• Esophagram, Upper GI and Small Bowel – DO NOT eat, drink or use tobacco after midnight the day before your test.
• Barium Enema – A 48-hour prep is required using a special kit that your physician will prescribe.

 

 

Depending on the type of test your physician has ordered, your fluoroscopy will include:

• Esophagram, Upper GI or Small Bowel – You will be asked to drink a sweetened, flavored barium solution. This will increase the visibility of your gastrointestinal tract during the exam.
• Barium Enema – During the exam, barium will be introduced gradually into your colon using a small tube. Before your exam, one of our team members will conduct a brief review of your medical history, previous testing and insurance information. Most fluoroscopy procedures take one hour. However, the time required for a small bowel fluoroscopy varies considerably from patient to patient.

 

 

Drink plenty of fluids following your fluoroscopy. You can typically resume your usual activities and normal diet right away. Other facts you should know:

• Upper and Lower GI Tests – Because barium can cause constipation, a laxative or enema may be prescribed for you. If you underwent a barium enema, you may feel weak or dizzy for a day or more. It’s normal for your stools to be a light color for up to three days after the test.

 

 

One of our experienced radiologists will interpret your exam and report the results to your physician. The doctor who referred you for the exam will share the results with you.

 

MRI is performed at the Dignity Health Imaging Center in Prescott and Prescott Valley.

 

MRI is a medical imaging technique that uses a large magnet, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed, cross sectional images of the human body without radiation. MRI is known for producing high-quality, soft-tissue images. It's often used to create images of the brain, spine, thorax, vascular system and musculoskeletal system.

 

While MRI is noninvasive and produces no x-ray radiation, it is not typically recommended for pregnant women.

 

For your safety during the MRI, your provider and the Dignity Health Imaging Center team need to know if you have a:

• Heart pacemaker or defibrillator
• Cerebral aneurysm clip (metal clip on a blood vessel in the brain)
• Implanted insulin pump (for treatment of diabetes)
• Narcotics pump (for pain medication)
• Implanted nerve stimulators (TENS) for back pain
• Metal in the eye or eye socket
• Cochlear (ear) implant

 

Additionally, it's important to inform your physician and the Dignity Health Imaging Center team if you:

• Weigh more than 300 pounds
• Cannot lie on your back for 30 to 60 minutes
• May be pregnant

 

Talk to one of our professional imaging technologists if you have concerns about your comfort. Our team members are experts at creating a comfortable, anxiety-free environment. Using music, aroma therapy and other relaxation strategies, we can help ease any concern you may have about the exam experience. If you believe you may need medication, please talk to your referring physician before your appointment.

 

A radiologic technologist will help position you on the scanning table. During the exam, the table will move into a tube-like machine that contains the magnet. As the MRI scan begins, the equipment will make a muffled thumping sound that will last for several minutes. Other than that sound, you should experience no unusual sensations during the scanning.

 

One of our experienced radiologists will interpret your exam and report the results to your physician. The doctor who referred you for the exam will share the results with you.

 

Ultrasound is performed at the Dignity Health Imaging Center in Prescott and Prescott Valley.

 

Ultrasound is a safe, painless, non-invasive procedure that uses sound waves to produce images.

 

Ultrasound studies can help physicians evaluate symptoms such as pain, swelling and infection. It also allows them to examine many of the body's internal organs. Ultrasound tests are used to monitor the progress of a woman's pregnancy.

 

The following pre-exam instructions are based on the type of ultrasound you will have:

• Pelvis – Drink water as instructed by Dignity Health Imaging Center before the exam and DO NOT urinate.
• Abdomen and Pelvis – DO NOT eat, drink or use tobacco six hours before the exam. You may take normal medications with a small amount of water on the morning of the exam. One hour before the exam, you will need to drink water, as instructed by the Dignity Health Imaging Center ultrasound technologist.
• Obstetric – Drink water as instructed before the exam and DO NOT urinate.
• Renal Artery – DO NOT eat or drink anything for eight hours prior to the exam. Also, DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight if you are scheduled for an early appointment the next day.
• Renal Ultrasound – There are no pre-exam restrictions or requirements.

  Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for your ultrasound. In some cases, you may be asked to wear a gown during the exam. Leave valuables - jewelry and credit cards, for example – at home.

 

 

For most ultrasound exams, you are asked to lie down face up on an examination table. Once you are properly positioned, a radiologic technologist will apply a warm, water-based gel to the area of the body being examined and use a piece of equipment called a transducer to conduct the scan. The images will appear on a video display.

 

You may resume your usual activities and normal diet immediately following the exam.

 

One of our experienced radiologists will interpret your exam and report the results to your physician. The doctor who referred you for the exam will share the results with you.