What is preventative imaging?
At Medical Imaging Center of Southern California, the radiologists use the most advanced equipment and the latest techniques, including MRI, CT, and PET, to detect the most common diseases associated with the highest mortality in the United States. The goal is to detect these diseases before you show signs or symptoms. Using preventative imaging, the team can check for:
- Coronary artery disease - CT coronary angiogram and calcium score (Smart Heart Scan)
- Stroke - MRA of your neurovascular system
- Colon cancer - virtual colonoscopy
- Lung cancer - Low-dose lung CT
- Tumors and diseases throughout body and spine - ZeroRad™ Whole Body MRI
- Prostate cancer - mp Prostate MRI
- Breast cancer - screening mammogram, ABUS ultrasound, breast MRI
- Osteopenia/osteoporosis - DEXA bone densitometry
- Brain MRI
The goal is to enable you to view your study one-on-one with the specialist radiologist to provide you with immediate results, peace of mind, and, if necessary, a management plan.
How do the different preventative imaging studies work?
The following imaging procedures are available on their own or as part of a customized program.
This MRI allows radiologists to review major organs from your head to your upper thigh. It’s a great option for asymptomatic patients who are looking to screen their whole body. ZeroRad Whole Body MRI includes your brain, the soft tissue in your neck, your chest, your abdomen, and your pelvis.
Results from this MRI provide insight to where abnormalities in your body may be located. Additional scans dedicated to specific areas may be recommended based on the findings from this whole body MRI.
MR angiogram of the carotid arteries in your neck and the Circle of Willis in your brain detect any narrowing in your neck and brain vasculature that may put you at risk for stroke. It also detects aneurysms that have the potential to rupture.
MRI, functional MRI, and PET scans of your brain help to rule out degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and multi-infarct dementia (MID). Radiologists can also evaluate for traumatic brain injury and neuropsychiatric disease.
A multi-parametric prostate MRI evaluates for prostate cancer and inflammation of the prostate. It prevents the need for a 12-needle TRUS biopsy. This MRI allows radiologists to calculate risk in the tissues of the prostate and its perimeter. Targeted biopsies resulting from information provided from this MRI are much more effective and less invasive.
What is a screening and diagnostic breast MRI (Siemens 3T Open)?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breasts is the ultimate supplementary screening and diagnostic tool. It’s an ideal option involving no radiation for women with a family or personal history of breast or ovarian cancer. Breast MRIs can also be used to screen for cancer in women who have silicone granulomas and those with breast implants to determine the integrity of the implants.
When used in conjunction with mammography and ultrasound, breast MRIs are effective in detecting and staging breast cancer cases not detected through other means.
- Calcium score: Measures the amount of calcium in your coronary artery walls and provides a numeric score that evaluates the risk of heart disease relative to your age and gender.
- CT coronary angiogram: This noninvasive CT coronary angiogram visualizes the arterial channel or lumen. Using a 64-detector CT scanner, your radiologist images the coronary arteries to detect unstable and life-threatening soft plaque that projects into the lumen and creates narrowing in the arterial channels. In most asymptomatic individuals, it’s usually the unstable soft plaque that ruptures without warning, causing heart attacks or strokes. By detecting the soft plaque early and initiating aggressive lifestyle changes and interventional therapies, you can avoid premature death.
Low dose chest CT of the lungs takes approximately two minutes and detects early cancers. It’s an excellent screening tool for smokers, family members of smokers, or anyone with a family history of lung cancer.
It’s less invasive than the traditional study and provides a three-dimensional tour of your colon to detect polyps, tumors, and diverticulitis.
To stay one step ahead of your health, call Medical Imaging Center of Southern California to schedule an appointment.
For more information, go to http://www.smartheartandhealth.com/.
