services:
radiology
Medical Imaging
Ohio Valley General Hospital offers a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic imaging services to our patients and community. Our imaging specialists know that advanced imaging is the key to diagnosing a health problem and to start the healing process.
From mammography screenings to general x-rays to CT, MRI, and PET-CT, we provide a full spectrum of leading-edge diagnostic imaging services and interventional procedures. Ohio Valley General Hospital’s team radiologists focus exclusively on specific areas of the body, allowing us to accurately diagnose and provide the clarity that enables the best courses of treatment for our patients.
Also, our staff is dedicated to communication, aiming to keep patients, their families and physicians informed and assured every step of their treatment process.
Please call (412) 777-6257 for any questions or information you may need about the medical imaging department at Ohio Valley General Hospital.
Imaging Services
Mammography
Ohio Valley General Hospital offers a full range of screening and diagnostic services for breast cancer prevention and treatment. Our radiologists are specialty trained in breast imaging and are focused on delivering high quality care in a welcoming and caring environment. The staff at our facility is available to answer any additional questions you may have, so please do not hesitate to ask.
Mammography plays a central part in early detection of breast cancers because it can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. Current guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the American Cancer Society (ACS), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) recommend screening mammography every year for women, beginning at age 40. Research has shown that annual mammograms lead to early detection of breast cancers, when they are most curable and breast-conservation therapies are available.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) adds that women who have had breast cancer and those who are at increased risk due to a genetic history of breast cancer should seek expert medical advice about whether they should begin screening before age 40 and about the frequency of screening.
Bone Density Screening
Bone Densitometry scanning, also called dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA) or Bone Density Scan, is an enhanced form of x-ray technology that is used to measure bone loss. DEXA is today's established standard for measuring bone mineral densitometry (BMD).
DEXA Bone Densitometry is most often used to diagnose osteoporosis, a condition that often affects women after menopause but may also be found in men. Osteoporosis involves a gradual loss of calcium, causing the bones to become thinner, more fragile and more likely to break.
All Bone Densitometry Scans are read by an Ohio Valley General Hospital radiologist or endocrinologist specialty trained in Bone Densitometry imaging and dedicated to the specific area of interest for your study.
Rapid results are essential not only for your peace of mind, but also for your physician to begin planning your treatment immediately, if necessary. After the scan has been read, the results are sent to your physician, who will discuss them with you.
Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)
An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is an X-ray test that provides pictures of the kidneys, the bladder, the ureters, and the urethra (urinary tract). An IVP can show the size, shape, and position of the urinary tract, and it can evaluate the collecting system inside the kidneys.
During IVP, a dye called contrast material is injected into a vein in your arm. A series of X-ray pictures is then taken at timed intervals. The exam helps your physician assess abnormalities in the urinary system, as well as how quickly and efficiently the patient's system is able to handle waste. It is also used to help diagnose symptoms such as blood in the urine or pain in the side or lower back.
Our experts specially trained in this procedure will help guide you through this examination, and along the way, answer any questions you may have. Call a radiologic technician at Ohio Valley General Hospital to determine if this procedure is right for you.
Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract X-ray
Lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract radiography, also called a lower GI or barium enema, is an x-ray examination of the large intestine, also known as the colon. This includes the right or ascending colon, the transverse colon, the left or descending colon, sigmoid colon and the rectum. The appendix and a portion of the distal small intestine may also be included. The procedure is frequently performed to help diagnose symptoms such as:
- Chronic diarrhea.
- Blood in stools.
- Constipation.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- A change in bowel habits.
- Suspected blood loss.
- Abdominal pain.
An Ohio Valley General Hospital radiologist will then analyze the images and send a signed report to your primary care or referring physician, who will discuss the results with you.
CT Scan
A CT (computed tomography) scan is a noninvasive medical test that uses special x-ray equipment to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body and a computer to join them together in cross-sectional views of the area being studied.
CT scans of internal organs, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels provide greater clarity than conventional x-ray exams.
CT scanning is commonly used to diagnose problems such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, trauma and musculoskeletal disorders.
You have no restrictions after having a CT scan and can go about your normal activities. To help eliminate the contrast medium from your body, drink plenty of decaffeinated or non-alcoholic beverages. Water and juices also work well.
All CT scans are read by An Ohio Valley General Hospital radiologist specialty trained in CT imaging and dedicated to the specific area of interest for your study.
Rapid results are essential not only for your peace-of-mind, but also for your physician to begin planning your treatment immediately, if necessary. After the scan has been read the results are sent to your physician, who will discuss them with you.
CT Angiography (CTA)
Angiography is a minimally invasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Angiography uses one of three imaging technologies and, in some cases, a contrast material to produce pictures of major blood vessels throughout the body.
CT imaging at Ohio Valley General Hospital uses special x-ray equipment to produce multiple images and a computer to join them together in multidimensional views. In CT angiography (CTA), computed tomography using a contrast material produces detailed images of both blood vessels and tissues.
Ohio Valley physicians use the procedure to:
- Identify disease and aneurysms in the aorta, both in the chest and abdomen, or in other major blood vessels.
- Detect atherosclerosis disease in the carotid artery of the neck, which may limit blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke.
- Identify a small aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation inside the brain.
- Detect atherosclerotic disease that has narrowed the arteries to the legs and help prepare for endovascular intervention or surgery.
- Indicate disease in the arteries to the kidneys or visualize blood flow to help prepare for a kidney transplant.
- Guide interventional radiologists and surgeons making repairs to diseased blood vessels, such as implanting stents or evaluating a stent after implantation.
- Detect injury to one of more arteries in the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis or extremities in trauma patients.
- Evaluate arteries feeding a tumor prior to surgery or other procedures such as chemoembolization or selective internal radiation therapy.
- Identify dissection or splitting in the aorta in the chest or abdomen or its major branches.
- Show the extent and severity of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries and plan for a surgical operation, such as a coronary bypass.
- Sample blood from specific veins in the body to detect any endocrine disease.
- Examine pulmonary arteries in the lungs to detect pulmonary embolism (blood clots from leg veins).
Once the results have been computed, your Ohio Valley radiologist will review discuss your examination and provide your information to you physician.
PET Scan
A PET (positron emission tomography) scan creates an image of your body's metabolic activity and shows the rate at which your body's cells break down and use sugar (glucose).
This is done by injecting a small amount of radioactive material (FDG) into your blood stream and waiting for it to disperse to the area of focus. The PET scan is then performed to detect the radioisotope and creates an image on the computer screen.
PET is also useful in diagnosing certain cardiovascular and neurological diseases because it highlights areas with increased, diminished or no metabolic activity, thereby pinpointing problems.
Ohio Valley Radiologists use PET scans to:
- Detect cancer.
- Determine whether a cancer has spread in the body.
- Assess the effectiveness of a treatment plan, such as cancer therapy.
- Determine if a cancer has returned after treatment.
- Determine blood flow to the heart muscle.
- Determine the effects of a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, on areas of the heart.
- Identify areas of the heart muscle that would benefit from a procedure such as angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery (in combination with a myocardial perfusion scan).
- Evaluate brain abnormalities, such as tumors, memory disorders and seizures and other central nervous system disorders.
- To map normal human brain and heart function.
An Ohio Valley General Hospital radiologist who has specialized training in nuclear medicine will interpret the images and forward a report to your referring physician.
If your physician has ordered a diagnostic CT, a radiologist with specialized training in interpreting CT exams will report the findings of the CT and forward a report to your referring physician.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, is a valuable, painless, diagnostic test that allows radiologists to see inside some areas of the body, which cannot be seen using conventional x-rays. This imaging method produces a series of cross-sectional pictures. MRI technology has advanced so markedly over the past few years that it has greatly altered treatment courses. Physicians can detect many conditions in earlier stages, greatly optimizing patient outcomes.
Ohio Valley General Hospital uses state-of-the-art MRI scanners to take pictures with very high resolution of your body. These images give your physician important information in diagnosing your medical condition and planning a course of treatment.
Ohio Valley radiologists use MRI imaging to evaluate:
- Organs of the chest and abdomen—including the heart, liver, biliary tract, kidney, spleen, and pancreas and adrenal glands.
- Pelvic organs including the reproductive organs in the male (prostate and testicles) and the female (uterus, cervix and ovaries).
- Blood vessels (MR Angiography).
- Breasts.
Ohio Valley physicians MRI imaging to help diagnose or monitor treatment for conditions such as:
- Tumors of the chest, abdomen or pelvis.
- Certain types of heart problems.
- Blockages or enlargements of blood vessels, including the aorta, renal arteries, and arteries in the legs.
- Diseases of the liver, such as cirrhosis, and that of other abdominal organs, including the bile ducts, gallbladder, and pancreatic ducts.
- Cysts and solid tumors in the kidneys and other parts of the urinary tract.
- Tumors and other abnormalities of the reproductive organs (e.g., uterus, ovaries, testicles, prostate).
- Causes of pelvic pain in women, such as fibroids, endometriosis and adenomyosis.
- Suspected uterine congenital abnormalitynomalies in women undergoing evaluation for infertility.
- Breast cancer and implants.
All MRI exams are read by an Ohio Valley General Hospital radiologist specialty trained in MRI imaging and dedicated to the specific area of interest for your study.
MR Angiography (MRA)
MR Angiography is a minimally invasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Angiography uses one of three imaging technologies and, in some cases, a contrast material to produce pictures of major blood vessels throughout the body.
In magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer produce the detailed images. MR angiography does not use ionizing radiation (x-rays).
Ohio Valley physicians use the procedure to:
- Identify disease and aneurysms in the aorta, both in the chest and abdomen, or in other major blood vessels.
- Detect atherosclerosis disease in the carotid artery of the neck, which may limit blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke.
- Identify a small aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation inside the brain.
- Detect atherosclerotic disease that has narrowed the arteries to the legs and help prepare for endovascular intervention or surgery.
- Indicate disease in the arteries to the kidneys or visualize blood flow to help prepare for a kidney transplant.
- Guide interventional radiologists and surgeons making repairs to diseased blood vessels, such as implanting stents or evaluating a stent after implantation.
- Detect injury to one of more arteries in the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis or extremities in trauma patients.
- Evaluate arteries feeding a tumor prior to surgery or other procedures such as chemoembolization or selective internal radiation therapy.
- Identify dissection or splitting in the aorta in the chest or abdomen or its major branches.
- Show the extent and severity of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries and plan for a surgical operation, such as a coronary bypass.
- Sample blood from specific veins in the body to detect any endocrine disease.
- Examine pulmonary arteries in the lungs to detect pulmonary embolism (blood clots from leg veins).
- Screen individuals for arterial disease, especially patients with a family history of arterial disease or disorders.
A Ohio Valley radiologist will analyze the images and send a signed report to your primary care or referring physician, who will share the results with you.
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