Good health

health and allows you to uncover abnormalities in the formative stages, when they can be more easily managed or eliminated.

WHAT TO EXPECT

MRI

You will be asked to remove all jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aide, dentures, credit/bank cards, and any metallic objects. These may affect the quality of the images produced or cause harm or discomfort to you when placed within the magnetic field.

There will be no sensation, discomfort or pain associated with the exam. You will, however, hear knocking/thumping noises from time to time. This is normal, and you may wear earplugs to muffle these noises.

It is important to lie as still as possible. Movement may cause unsatisfactory images and necessitate a repeat of the exam. You may find it easier to relax if you do not consume coffee or other caffeinated beverages prior to your exam. You can bring a prescription sedative if you feel it will help you relax. If you plan to be sedated, please arrange for someone to drive you home.

Also, in some cases, your physician may order an injection of a contrast agent to enhance the diagnostic capabilities of the exam. If so, this will be administered and supervised by our on-site qualified technicians.
The technicians will review and interpret your MRI examination upon completion. Within 24 hours, your physician will have a written report.

CT

Computed Tomography, widely known as a CAT scan, is medically referred to as simply CT. In its early days of development and use, it was called Computerized Axial Tomography, hence the term CAT.

CT is generally a relatively quick procedure that uses x-ray beams to create computer-generated image of soft tissue structures, such as tumors and internal organs, and air cavities (sinuses, lungs). It also has advantages in skeletal and neurological imaging. Its radiation doses to the human body are considered minimal due to the speed in which the X-Ray is delivered.

The procedure requires you to lie in a horizontal position, either on your back or stomach, and remain comfortably still. A flat, moving table goes through the center of a donut-shaped x-ray machine. X-ray beams from a number of positions are aimed at the area being studied. A special detector measures the amount of absorbed radiation. This data is transformed by a computer into a digital image.

Virtual Colonoscopy

Helical computed tomography (CT) is used to generate high-resolution, two-dimensional axial images of the abdomen and pelvis. Three-dimensional images of the colon simulating those obtained with conventional colonoscopy can be reconstructed from the data obtained. Basic imaging principles: cleansing the patient’s colon using a standard barium enema or colonoscopy bowel preparation, colonic insufflation with room-air and thin-section, low dose CT of the abdomen and pelvis followed by off-line computer manipulation of the CT dataset to facilitate inspection of the colonic wall.

Bowel Preparation:

Virtual colonoscopy requires a well prepared, cleansed colon to achieve appropriate sensitivity and specificity. Retained stool can simulate polyps decreasing specificity while retained fluid can obscure polyps resulting in decreased sensitivity. The standard colonoscopy preparation (polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution, Go-Lytely; Braintree Laboratories, Braintree, Mass) tends to result in more retained fluid and several investigators prefer a common barium enema preparation E-Z-EM, Inc. , C.B.Fleet, which appears to result in less retained fluid. At this time, a full colon cleansing preparation is required to achieve acceptable results. Orally administered barium contrast products to mark or tag fecal residue are under investigation. The incentive behind the development of such products is to minimize bowel preparation requirements and increase patient compliance. The efficacy of these agents remains is currently being assessed. E-Z-EM also makes a low residue diet kit to take the day prior to exam, nutritious enough for patients to adhere to the bowel prep regimen which is essential for good results.

A whole new way of 'looking' at your health

In less than 15 minutes, Cyrus Diagnostic Imaging uses a Philips ultra-fast Computer Tomography or CT scanner to create an internal 3-D image of your body. Immediately afterward, your images will be reviewed by a board certified radiologist. It's a process that combines cutting-edge technology with a generation of medical expertise to offer simple, fast and painless lifesaving examinations that can detect tumors, polyps, cancer, lung disease and heart disease long before symptoms appear.

Cyrus Diagnostic Imaging puts you in control of your health, and is a safe diagnostic procedure.