CT scans are a noninvasive, painless radiological procedure that is useful in diagnosing diseases and medical conditions in internal organs, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels. CT scans produce much more clarity that a typical x-ray since it produces multiple images from inside the body and creates a cross-sectional view of the area imaged. It is especially helpful in diagnosing cancer, heart disease, infectious disease, trauma and musculoskeletal problems. It is often the preferred exam for studying the chest and abdomen because of the detailed images created by the multi-sliced views. Radiologists can confirm cancers, such as lung, liver and pancreatic, and can accurately determine the size, location and extent of involvement, using CT. Small bones, muscles and blood vessels are easily seen, making it preferable in imaging the spine, hands, feet and the entire skeletal system.  Specialty exams, such as Cardiac Calcium CT Scoring and CT Colonoscopy are helping to diagnose heart disease more accurately and screen patients for colon cancer.  CT technology allows interventional radiologists to perform guided biopsies and other minimally invasive procedures.

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MRI uses radiofrequency waves and a large magnet to produce clear, detailed images of internal organs and tissues. The technology is helpful in diagnosing a wide range of conditions, including cancer, heart and vascular disease, stroke, musculoskeletal and joint conditions affecting the knee, shoulder, hip, wrist and elbow. Since MRI can show specific detail, it is an invaluable tool in cancer diagnosis, staging and treatment. MRI is a fast, noninvasive tool for diagnosing coronary artery disease and heart problems as it provides clear images of the aorta, coronary arteries and blood vessels, along with details so that physicians can see the size and thickness of the chambers of the heart to determine damage caused by a heart attack or heart disease. MRI provides a detailed look at organs inside the chest and abdomen - lungs, liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas and abdominal vessels. Chest and abdominal scans help diagnose and evaluate  tumors and functional disorders. There is a growing use of the technology for breast MRI since it has proven extremely effective in imaging dense breasts and determining the extent of a cancer. MRI is also used frequently for imaging reproductive organs, pelvis, hips and bladder since no radiation is used.

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Ultrasound is a non-invasive exam that uses sound waves to produce images of the body. The technology allows physicians to make an accurate diagnosis of many conditions affecting the body and is especially helpful in visualizing  muscles, tendons and many internal organs. The images produced show their size, structure and any pathological lesions with real-time tomographic images. Ultrasound is frequently used to show a fetus during routine and emergency prenatal care.

Ultrasound images of the musculoskeletal system provide pictures of muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and soft tissue throughout the body.  Ultrasound images are typically used to help diagnose:

• tendon tears, such as tears of the rotator cuff in the shoulder or Achilles tendon in the ankle.
• abnormalities of the muscles, such as tears and soft-tissue masses.
• bleeding or other fluid collections within the muscles, bursae and joints.
• small benign and malignant soft tissue tumors.
• early changes of rheumatoid arthritis.

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