Medical terminology can be confusing, especially when the names of certain procedures are similar to each other. As a patient, you may not know your anisakiasis from your anisokaryosis, or be able to tell trachoma from a trachea. It’s important, though, to know the difference between an MRA and an MRI. If your doctor orders one and you call to schedule the other, confusion may cause a big problem.

It’s easy to tell them apart, really. MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. MRA, on the other hand, stands for Magnetic Resonance Angiography. Still confused? That’s ok; they’re virtually the same test. The primary difference between them lies in what they’re designed to examine.

• An MRI uses powerful magnets, radio waves, and a computer to take pictures inside the  An MRI can be used on the abdomen, chest, pelvis, internal organs, and head. Using the images produced by an MRI, doctors can look for abnormalities, tumors, cysts, injuries, heart problems diseases of the abdominal organs, causes of pelvic pain, and uterine abnormalities that might hinder fertility.
• An MRA examines blood vessels, using the same technology. If a patient has suffered from a blood clot, stroke, heart disease, or similar cardiovascular problems, a doctor may recommend a Magnetic Resonance Angiography. As with an MRI, the test is non-invasive, and patients face few complications.

There’s very little preparation necessary for either one of these procedures. However, there are a few things you should tell your doctor and a few things you should know. Before you have an MRA or an MRI, tell your doctor about any medical conditions, especially if you have kidney disease, are allergic to anything, or have any implants, medical devices, or metal in your body. Some metal items cannot go through an MRA or an MRI, and those include:

• Cardiac defibrillators
• Pacemakers
• Cochlear or ear implants
• Some clips for brain aneurysm repair
• Some coils for blood vessel repair

You’ll also have to take off any metal you may be wearing, whether it’s snaps and zippers on your clothes, jewelry, body piercings, glasses, or a hearing aid. You should let your doctor know if you get uncomfortable, anxious, or panicky when in small spaces. You’ll need to stay still for the MRI or MRA, so let your healthcare provider know if you have a problem with that, as well. Your doctor may want to prescribe you some medicine to help you relax during the procedure.

Whether you need an MRA or an MRI, Salem Radiology has got you covered. Established in 1974, we are the largest radiology group in the area and offer a depth of specialization among our doctors that you would expect to find only at major university medical centers. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call (503) 399-1262 or contact us through our website.

You’ve certainly heard of a CT scan, also called a CAT scan. You probably have at least a vague understanding of what it is, and you may even have undergone a CAT scan yourself at some point. But do you know how this diagnostic tool works, and why doctors use CT scans?

The CT in CT scan stands for computed tomography and is also sometimes referred to as computed axial tomography, which is where we get the term CAT scan. Whichever term is used to refer to them, these scans work by producing 2D cross-sectional images, using x-rays. These images are referred to as “slices,” and they show the body’s bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues. Once they’re stacked by a computer, the images form 3D models of specific parts of the body. They provide more detailed imagery than traditional x-rays because those older machines use a fixed x-ray while CT scanners use a motorized x-ray that rotates around the body during the scan.

CT scans are minimally invasive. If you’re having the procedure, you will lie on a narrow table that slides in and out of the CT scanner. During the scan, the machine rotates around you, and sometimes you move through the scanner’s tunnel. The x-rays are sent through your body, and the detectors pick them up and transmit them to the computer, which translates them into images. Sometimes, if your doctor is trying to examine soft tissue, a special dye might be used to provide contrast. You may be asked to drink this dye, or it may be given in an IV or administered as an enema.

There are not many risks to a CT scan, but there are a few. Some people are allergic to the dye and may vomit, sneeze, itch, or develop hives. In some cases, the allergy may be severe enough to trigger anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction, or kidney failure. CT scans do produce a great deal of radiation: about 400 times the radiation of a single x-ray. Some complications of radiation are:

• Increased lifetime risk of cancer
• Skin reddening and tissue injury
• Hair loss
• Cataracts
• Congenital disabilities if used during pregnancy

Why would a physician need to order a CT scan? There are several different reasons:

• A CT scan can show internal and bone injuries from vehicle accidents or other trauma.
• These scans can be used to diagnose spinal problems and skeletal injuries.
• Sometimes, a CT scan can detect osteoporosis.
• CT scans can be used to detect many different types of cancers and determine the extent of the tumors.
• CT scans can show the location of an infection.
• Doctors use CT scans to look for injuries, stroke-causing clots, hemorrhaging, and other issues having to do with the head.
• CT scans can be used to image the lungs and reveal blood clots in the lungs’ vessels, excess fluid, pneumonia, or chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD).
• Using a CT scan, doctors can determine the cause of chest or abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms.
• CT scans can help doctors diagnose dangerous vascular diseases that can cause stroke, kidney failure, and death.
• Sometimes, CT scans are used to assist with biopsies and other medical procedures, including treatment planning for organ transplants, gastric bypass, cancer, and other issues.

If you need a CT scan or other diagnostic screening, Salem Radiology can help. Established in 1974, we are the largest radiology group in the area and offer a depth of specialization among our doctors that you would expect to find only at major university medical centers. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call (503) 399-1262 or contact us through our website.

Have you been told that you should have a bone density scan? If you’re a postmenopausal woman or a man over the age of 50, and you’ve recently broken a bone, a bone density scan is a good idea. If your doctor hasn’t already ordered one, you might want to request one.

What does a bone density scan do? It’s the only test available that can diagnose osteoporosis before a bone is broken. The test lets you know if you have normal bone density, low bone density, also known as osteopenia, or osteoporosis. This is good information to have, because the lower your bone density is, the more likely you are to break a bone. Using bone density tests, your healthcare provider can establish whether you have osteoporosis, predict your chance of breaking a bone, and monitor the progress of your osteoporosis, to determine whether your bone density is improving, getting worse or staying the same. This is particularly useful when you’re taking medication for osteoporosis and want to know if it’s working.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) recommends using a DXA machine to test the bone density of the hips and spine. DXA stands for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and this non-invasive test is painless. It only takes about 15 minutes, during which time the patient remains fully clothed, as long as no zippers or buttons get in the way of the exam. A central DXA uses no needles or instruments placed on the body, and it requires very little radiation.

Why scan the hip and spine? People with osteoporosis have a greater chance of fracturing the bones of the hip and spine, and broken bones in those areas can be very serious. By scanning the hip and spine, your health care provider can predict the likelihood that you’ll break one of these bones in the future. If there’s some reason your hip and spine cannot be scanned, though, there are also peripheral scans, which test the density of the lower arm, wrist, finger, or heel. These tests can help inform your provider as to whether more testing is advisable, and can be performed even on larger people, who may not conform to the DXA machine’s weight limit.

Certain people fall into categories recommended by NOF for a bone density scan. These include:

• Women, age 65 or older
• Men, age 70 or older
• Anyone over the age of 50 who has broken a bone
• Postmenopausal women who have additional risk factors
• Men between the ages of 50-69 with risk factors
• A person with an x-ray of the spine that shows a break or bone loss
• Anyone with back pain that indicates a possible break
• Someone who has lost a ½ inch or more of height in one year
• Anyone who has lost more than 1 ½ inches from his or her original height

If you’d like more information about scheduling a bone density scan, call Salem Radiology today. Established in 1974, we are the largest radiology group in the area and offer a depth of specialization among our doctors that you would expect to find only at major university medical centers. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call (503) 399-1262 or contact us through our website.

You’ve probably heard that getting a mammogram is important, but once you get your first one that doesn’t mean you’re finished. A mammogram can help detect breast cancer during its early stages which increases your chances of beating it. This means that getting regular mammograms in coordination with a physical breast exam by your provider is key in continuing to screen for breast cancer throughout a woman’s life.

Women should start getting mammograms at the age of 40 and continue every year thereafter.

Once you’ve had your first mammogram you’ll know what to expect in the future, but for those who have yet to have one here are some things you’ll want to know.

• Arrive at least 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork including your family history and medical history.
• Wear a two-piece outfit because you will need to get undressed from the waist up. You will also be provided a gown you will wear during the screening.
• Each of your breasts will be placed on a flat surface of a mammography unit and compression will be used to secure your breast and flatten the tissue to get clear images.
• Usually, two images of each breast are taken, but women with breast implants may require more.
• You might be asked to hold your breath during the X-ray and you may feel some discomfort which will subside after the test is finished.

Your first mammogram is very important because it will be compared to any future mammograms to detect any changes in your breasts year-over-year. If you change mammography locations be sure to bring your past images with you or have them sent over. To schedule an appointment, contact Salem Radiology today at 503-399-1262.

So, you’ve scheduled your first mammogram- good for you! It might not be something you’re looking forward to, but it’s certainly an important part of taking care of your health. Before you go, here are some things we think you might like to know.

• Plan your mammogram for the right time. It’s better to go on a day when your breasts aren’t tender or swollen, so avoid the week before your period.
• It’s a good idea to shower before you go. It’s really important not to wear deodorant, talcum powder, or lotion under your arms because these can show up as calcium spots on your mammogram. If you want to bring your deodorant, you can put it on after you finish your mammogram.
• Bring something to read or your smartphone. It’s not a big deal, but especially if you’re a little bit nervous, you might want to bring along something to occupy your time, like a book or a game. Typically, you’ll get called back almost immediately by the technologist, but it always helps to have something to pass the time if a situation occurs where there is a short wait.
• Dedicated area for women. Salem Radiology is concerned about respecting every woman’s right to privacy and for that reason we have a dedicated mammography area reserved exclusively for women.
• You’ll need to be topless. In the privacy of the dressing room and exam room, you’ll be asked to take off your shirt and bra, but you can leave on your pants or skirt and shoes. The staff will give you a wrap or hospital gown-type top to wear instead.
• The technologist will handle your breasts. You and the female technologist will be alone in the room with the machine, and stickers will probably be placed on your nipples and on any moles or spots they want to be able to identify in the mammogram. The technologist will place your breast on the machine’s plate which will have been warmed for your comfort, show you where to put your hands, and then the breast will be compressed. This part of the process only takes a few seconds.
• It will be uncomfortable. There’s no getting around it, having your breasts flattened out in a machine is not pleasant. If it hurts, though, tell the person doing the test. For most people, it’s just somewhat uncomfortable.
• You’ll be glad you did it. The slight discomfort of the mammogram is worth the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re taking charge of your breast health. By regularly undergoing screening mammograms, you increase the chances that any problems you have will be detected early. Early detection dramatically increases a woman’s chances of successful treatment.

For diagnostic, screening, or 3D mammograms, trust Salem Radiology Consultants to provide you with the highest quality of care. A premier outpatient imaging center, Salem Radiology Consultants, or SRC, has been serving Salem and the greater Willamette Valley since 1973. We are the largest radiology group in the area, and our doctors provide a depth of specialization you’d expect to find only at major university medical centers. Call us today at (503) 399-1262 to schedule an appointment.