FAQs

Multi-Slice Computed Tomography (CT)

Q1.  What is a contrast agent?

A1.  A contrast agent is a fluid injected into your blood vessels and is used to make specific organs, blood vessels and/or tissue types "stand out" with more image contrast to better show the presence of disease or injury. Thus the agent highlights specific areas on the resultant CT image.

Q2.  How contrast is needed during the examination?

A2.  Contrast is injected through a vein in the arm and shows clear  CT images. 

Q3.  Will I be allergic to the contrast agent?

A3.  A small percentage will have an allergic reaction to the contrast agent.  Please inform the physician if you have an allergy history or asthma.
 

Full Field Digital Mammography

Q1.  Will mammography break the implants?

A1.  There is a small risk of implant rupture with mammography.  Please inform the technologist before the examination if you have implants.  So that the technologist will use special technique to avoid rupture.*  In addition, because the risk of breast cancer outweighs the risk of implant rupture most women choose to have the mammogram.

Q2.  If I conduct a self exam every month and do not feel anything different, do I still need a mammogram?

A2.  Yes. Abnormalities in a woman's breast can be detected by mammography years before they can be discovered in a self exam.

Q3.  How often should I have a mammogram?

A3.  Starting at age 20, perform a monthly self exam and then every 3 years for breast exam at clinic;  Starting at age 40, perform annual clinical breast exam and screening mammography.

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Computed Radiography (X-Ray)

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Ultrasound

Q1.  Why does the bladder need to be full? 
A1.  A full bladder allows the uterus and ovaries to be well visualized to check bladder pathology.  If the bladder is not full, the study is often not adequate, and may need to be repeated.

Q2.  Why fasting is needed?
A2.  Fasting is required for abdominal ultrasounds because it allows us to better image the gallbladder.

Q3.  If the mammogram showed a mass why is an ultrasound also required?

A3.  Ultrasound is useful in characterizing abnormalities on mammograms.  With ultrasound it can be determined if a mass seen on mammograms is a cyst or a solid lesion.

Q4.  Can I just get an ultrasound instead of a mammogram?
A4.  Mammography is much more sensitive than ultrasound for the detection of early breast cancer.  Ultrasound is utilized as a problem-solving tool, following an abnormal screening mammogram.
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Bone Densitometry (DEXA)

Q1.  What is Osteoporosis?

A1.  It is a condition where bones become weak, sometimes to the point of fracture.  Weakening may be caused by aging or a combination of factors. 

Q2.  How can DEXA help if I have Osteoporosis?

A2.  It can estimate the risk of present or future osteoporotic fractures at other parts of the body besides the spine and hip.

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*http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/995_implants.html