Our screening services are performed with CT, MRI and Ultrasound and were recently highlighted in The Coast News Group. They include the following:
CARDIAC SCORING
Coronary heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States. More Americans die of heart disease than all types of cancer combined. The primary cause of heart disease is the build-up of plaque (atherosclerosis) in the arteries of the heart. This build-up can cause the arteries to narrow. Plaque can also break away from the artery walls and cause a blockage. In both instances the heart muscle does not receive enough blood flow and oxygen–thus a heart attack can occur.
Cardiac scoring is a revolutionary, pain-free and non-invasive procedure that detects the amount of calcium of plaque in your coronary arteries. With this information, your doctor can recommend the appropriate treatment, including diet and lifestyle changes, medication and/or further testing. The test takes only a few minutes to perform.
LUNG CANCER SCREENING
Lung cancer is the number one killer among cancers and kills more people than colon, breast and prostate cancer combined.
Studies have concluded that CT screening can greatly improve the likelihood of detection of small (early) lung
cancers, and thus identify them at a potentially more curable stage. Our Low-Dose Screening CT technique is designed to provide the necessary clinical information while minimizing your exposure to radiation. The test takes only a few minutes and requires no IV’s or special preparation.
FULL BODY SCREENING
The full body screening package combines the Cardiac Scoring, Lung Cancer Screening, a carotid ultrasound, and a comprehensive, high-resolution scan of your abdomen and pelvis. This scan looks at all of the major organs in your body; carotid arteries, the lungs, heart, liver, pancreas, kidneys, adrenal glands, spleen and pelvic organs.
VASCULAR/ARTERIAL SCREENING
A Carotid Ultrasound exam visualizes the main blood-supply to be brain, the carotid neck-arteries. The leading cause of stroke is significant narrowing or blockage of the carotid artery caused by a buildup of plaque in the artery walls which is treatable. Another study option is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Ultrasound. The Society for Vascular Surgery recommends this screening for men and women aged 65-75 who have ever smoked, men 55 years or older with a family history of AAA, and women 65 or older who have a family history of AAA.
TOTAL BODY COMPOSITION
Provides percentages and absolute values for lean and fat mass.
VIRTUAL COLONOSCOPY
A non-invasive, pain-free method of examining the colon. The virtual colonoscopy screens for premalignant polyps and early cancer.
MRI SCREENING
MRI is an effective tool for evaluating the brain, abdomen and pelvis without any radiation exposure, of concern. However, MRI is not sensitive to detect any lung parenchymal pathology for which CT is a better tool.
IMPORTANT SCREENING INFORMATION
Once your screenings are done, the images are processed and carefully reviewed by our team of board-certified, sub-specialized radiology physicians. Once completed, you will receive a complete report of your screenings along with a CD of the images to keep for your records or share with your physician(s). Your results are private and confidential. If your screening reveals no immediate health issue, the results provide a valuable baseline for future exams and evaluations, a significant health management tool.
Unlike many so-called “Screening Centers,” Carlsbad Imaging Center and Imperial Radiology provide you with comprehensive diagnostic services should your screening examination indicate a need.
The screenings are performed without the use of contrast agents. If further work ups are required, a contrast agent may be administered through an IV or by digestion to help highlight internal organs, structures and tissues within the body.
Screening exams are not covered by Medicare or other health insurance providers. Payment is due at the time of your exam. If, however, a screening exam detects a medical problem, your health insurance provider will cover subsequent treatment (to the extent allowed by your plan) and possibly reimburse you for the cost or a portion of the cost of the screening.
Carlsbad Imaging Center and Imperial Radiology will work with you and your doctor to get the answers and to put your mind at ease.