High-resolution images provide physicians with the necessary tools to offer exceptional patient care. Whether it’s the early diagnoses of heart disease, the early detection of cancer, or an injury assessment, patients benefit from today’s imaging technology.

MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) utilizes a strong magnetic field rather than x-rays to acquire images. MRI is a popular imaging tool due to the excellent resolution and detail it can provide. While an MRI can be used to evaluate many structures in the body, it is most commonly used to evaluate the brain, spine, abdomen, joints, and other soft tissue structures of the body such as ligaments, tendons, muscles, and arteries.
Technology
Norton KDH has a 1.5 Tesla GE Optima 450W MRI unit which provides superior resolution. There are many contraindications associated with MRI. You will be thoroughly screened by your provider and again by the technologist performing your exam in order to keep you safe.

CT Scans

CT (Computed Tomography) utilizes x-rays to create a cross-sectional image of the anatomy being examined so that doctors can view one layer of anatomy at a time.
Technology
Norton King’s Daughters’ Health has a 64 slice GE Lightspeed scanner which provides excellent resolution and enables a quick examination time. CT is a very popular imaging tool due to the detail provided in the images. It is used often to assess potential head injuries or strokes. It can also be used to localize or detect blood clots in the lungs, kidney stones, appendicitis and tumors. CT scans are frequently performed for evaluation of the head, face, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, spine and extremities.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses sound waves rather than x-rays to acquire images. Ultrasound can be used to evaluate many organs of the body. Most commonly, ultrasound is used to evaluate the liver, gallbladder, breast, thyroid, reproductive organs, and kidneys. Ultrasound can also be used to assist during biopsies and with localization of fluids in the body. Ultrasound is routinely used on pregnant patients to assess the health of their unborn child. Norton KDH has Samsung ultrasound equipment that provides superior resolution. Of special interest is the amazing 4D ultrasound capability with this system! 4D ultrasound displays a 3D image in live time.

Genius 3D Mammography

Norton King’s Daughters’ Health offers Genius 3D Mammography from Hologic. Genius 3D Mammography allows doctors to examine your breast tissue layer by layer, reducing callback rates by up to 40 percent and improving the early detection of invasive breast cancers by 20 – 65 percent (compared to 2D mammography).
Learn more about Genius 3D: Breast Care Program

PET Scans

A PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan is an imaging test that allows your provider to check for diseases in your body. The scan uses a special “dye” that has radioactive tracers which are injected into a vein in your arm. Your organs and tissues absorb the tracers and then imaging is performed. By identifying body changes at the cellular level, PET may detect the early onset of diseases such as cancer before it is evident on other imaging tests. PET is also used as a follow up tool to see how diseases like cancer are responding to treatment.

Norton KDH is contracted with Shared Medical Services which provides us with a mobile PET scanner and PET technologists who provide PET services for our patients. Shared Medical Services utilizes the most advanced PET imagery available, providing superior resolution and detailed images. Shared Medical Services staff members are held to the same standards of excellence you would expect from any Norton KDH employee.

Bone Density Evaluations

Osteoporosis (loss of bone mineralization) can be devastating. That’s why it’s important for aging patients to complete a simple procedure known as bone density testing. A bone density test shows your provider the strength and density of your bone tissue. Catching bone loss early can help you prevent further bone loss and osteoporosis. The test is simple and non-invasive.
Technology
Norton KDH features a Hologic Verizon W unit. This is the one of the most technologically advanced units on the market. Bone density exams use a narrowly collimated beam of x-rays to image the spine, hip, and/or wrist area to detect osteopenia or osteoporosis. Bone density exams can also be used to assess vertebral fractures or narrowing of the vertebrae, which can be associated with osteoporosis.

Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy is a special type of x-ray that shows anatomical structures in real-time. Fluoroscopy can be performed on many organs of the body. Most commonly, fluoroscopy is ordered by a provider to evaluate the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, or colon. Barium is often used as a contrast medium to assist in visualization of these structures.

Nuclear Medicine

Unlike conventional x-ray, in which the image forming radiation comes from an x-ray tube, nuclear medicine requires the injection of a radioactive material into the patient’s vein which is then absorbed by or taken up in the organ(s) of interest. After a specified wait time, the patient is placed under a detector that detects the organ’s molecular functioning and creates an image. Because nuclear medicine is performed at the molecular level, it can detect disease processes or fractures earlier than conventional x-ray. Nuclear medicine can be utilized to image internal organs as well as the skeletal system.
Technology
Norton KDH utilizes a GE Infinia Hawkeye 4 nuclear medicine system for superior quality in imaging.

3D Computed Tomography Angiography

3D CTA (Computed Tomography Angiography) Imaging is an advanced CT technique in which cross-sectional images are reformatted to create amazing 3D visualization of the anatomical structures under examination. 3D CTA examinations can be done to provide a non-invasive visualization of blockages or aneurysms in blood vessels. In addition, 3D CTA can be used to detect Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). It can also be performed for an intricate examination of skeletal fractures. This can aid orthopedic physicians with fracture care and potential surgery. CTA exams can be used for many other applications as well.

Stereotactic Biopsies

We know how scary it can be to learn that you need a breast biopsy. We provide stereotactic breast biopsy capabilities so that our patients needing this type of service can stay close to home and be in an environment of friendly, familiar, and caring technologists and doctors who will provide quality care and service. A stereotactic breast biopsy utilizes equipment that yields a precise needle placement for biopsy extraction of the affected tissue. The breast tissue is numbed prior to placement of the needle.

Following this minimally invasive biopsy, the patient is recovered by a registered nurse and is then allowed to leave with no restrictions. Please note that Norton KDH also offers ultrasound guided breast biopsies (in which a biopsy is obtained of the affected tissue under ultrasound guidance) as well as breast needle localizations (in which a needle is placed in the breast into the affected tissue and the patient is then sent to surgery for removal of the tissue).