Imaging services

Our team includes board-certified radiologists and imaging technologists with experience performing a range of diagnostic tests that help our doctors provide the best care for their patients. We use many different types of imaging technology to look inside the body without the need for surgery.

Our facilities perform CT scans using a variety of imaging machines, including 4-slice, 16-slice, 64-slice and 128-slice imaging. Having access to multiple types of CT scanners allows us to provide excellent quality and clarity for diagnosing all types of diseases and forming treatment plans.

CT imaging services we offer range from basic scanning to 3D imaging and specialized biopsy and CT-guided procedures. Our services include:

• Abdominal CT scans
• Coronary calcium scans (CT scans for a coronary calcium score to evaluate your risk of heart attack)
• Chest CT scans
• Computerized angiography tomography scans (uses a contrast agent and CT to examine blood vessels)
• Head and sinus CT scans
• Neck CT scans
• Spine CT scans
• Virtual colonoscopies (X-rays of the colon using low-dose CT)

Our commitment to low-dose CT imaging

Our imaging specialists are committed to reducing radiation exposure wherever possible. This is why we offer low-dose CT scanning, which can reduce a patient's exposure to radiation by up to 50 percent. Reducing radiation exposure is especially beneficial for our pediatric patients and adults who may require multiple imaging tests, such as patients with cancer.

Low-dose CT scans for lung cancer screening

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. for men and women. Using low-dose CT scans, we are committed to detecting lung cancer as early as possible in patients who are at high risk for developing lung cancer. With assistance from Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at HCA Midwest Health, we are committed to bringing lung cancer screening awareness and accessibility to members of our community.

To be eligible for a low-dose CT scan for lung cancer screening, patients must be:

• Adults between 50 and 80* years old
• Those who have at least a 20 pack-year smoking history and are current smokers or have quit within the past 15 years
• No current signs or symptoms of lung cancer
• Patients that have had a shared decision-making meeting with PCP
• Pack-year history calculated as the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by the number of years an individual has smoked

*Must be 55-77 years old for Medicare

This type of CT scan requires a physician order. Once an order is approved, patients will be contacted to schedule a lung screening exam.

Nuclear medicine is a subspecialty of radiology that uses small amounts of radioactive material to provide information about organ function and structure. The radioactive material, called a radiotracer or contrast agent, is introduced into the bloodstream, typically through inhalation, swallowing or injection. It then travels to the targeted area and gives off special signals our imaging technology detects. Our nuclear cameras then create images of the body's internal structures.

Nuclear medicine is used in many medical specialties and may include procedures such as:

• Bone mineral density testing (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, or DEXA) to measure bone density and assess risk for osteoporosis and osteopenia)
• Bone scans
• Gall bladder scans
• Gastrointestinal (GI) bleed scans (locates bleeding within GI tract and its severity)
• Lymphoscintigraphy (provides images of the lymphatic system)
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scans
• Prostate scans (to identify the extent and spread of prostate cancer)
• Thyroid imaging
• Ventilations and perfusion (VQ) lung scans (measures air and blood flow in the lungs)

PET/CT scans

A PET/CT scan combines the benefits of a PET scan and a CT scan into one imaging procedure. While a PET scan lets us visualize how the body is functioning, a CT scan shows us the vessels, lymph nodes and organ systems. When these scans are combined, we can gather specific information about the spread of a disease and its precise location. PET/CT scans help our doctors diagnose and stage all types of diseases, including cancer.

PET/CT scans at our facilities offers many benefits, including:

• Detailed imaging with a complete picture of what's happening in the body through the use of high-definition (HD) technology
• Integration with radiation oncology for precise targeting during cancer treatment
• Minimal sense of claustrophobia through the use of oversized bore and short tunnel scanners

MRIs use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of the body's internal structures, including organs. There are many specialized types of MRI, including certain procedures where MRI guidance is used. Our MRI imaging services include:

• Breast MRIs
• Cardiac MRIs
• General MRIs
• High resolution MRIs of the human eye
• Kidney (renal) donor MRIs
• Magnetic resonance angiographies (MRIs of the arteries)
• Magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopies (identifies, differentiates and measures chemicals in the human body)
• MRIs of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw bone and skull
• MRIs with breast biopsies
• MRIs with contrast agent to diagnose liver cancer
• Prostate MRIs

Our doctors use the latest technology in ultrasound imaging, including doppler ultrasounds to visualize blood flow. Ultrasounds use sound waves that bounce off surfaces in the body to produce images of soft tissues. We perform several specialized types of ultrasound imaging, including:

• Abdominal ultrasounds
• Breast ultrasounds, including 3D breast ultrasounds
• Echocardiograms (heart ultrasounds)
• Kidney (renal) ultrasounds
• Obstetrics ultrasounds (3D and 4D)
• Peripheral vascular ultrasounds (examines arteries in the legs)
• Transvaginal ultrasounds (examines the female reproductive organs)
• Vascular ultrasounds

One of the most basic and traditional imaging exams we perform is an X-ray, which uses a small dose of radiation to produce images of the inside of the body. We use film and digital X-ray technologies to assist in diagnosing a wide range of conditions. We perform chest X-rays and abdominal X-rays to examine the kidneys, urethra and bladder.

Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy is an advanced X-ray procedure, often referred to as an X-ray movie. A fluoroscopy provides a continuous image on a computer monitor as an X-ray is passed through the body. It is important in many diagnoses, as it displays movement in the body (not just a still image).

Diagnostic tests and procedures don't have to be frightening for children. Overland Park Regional Medical Center created and staffed its pediatric imaging center with you and your child's unique needs in mind. Your child’s exam will be supervised by pediatric subspecialists who individualize each imaging study to make sure your physician quickly receives complete, accurate results.

To schedule an appointment at our pediatric diagnostic imaging center, please call (913) 541-5062. Give us a call if further information is needed (913) 541-5483.

In addition to advanced imaging techniques, we offer family-centered care in a compassionate environment. For most exams, parents may stay in the room with their children if desired. This can decrease anxiety and comfort parents, and may make children more calm and cooperative. Child life specialists are also available for exam preparation and individualized support before and after procedures.

Our pediatric radiology subspecialists offer a full range of diagnostic imaging services from newborns to young adults. Some of the diagnostic imaging services we provide to children include:

• Computed tomography (CT)
  The imaging center is equipped with the most advanced CT and MRI technology available. State-of-the-art equipment and experienced technologists and physicians reduce the amount of radiation to pediatric patients significantly.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  During MRI, children may listen to music or watch a movie through virtual goggles. Sedation is often needed for younger children. Although it is readily available, we are happy to try non-sedated MRI first.
• Ultrasound
  Pediatric board trained sonographers work closely with the pediatric radiologist to obtain a diagnosis on ultrasound so your child can avoid also undergoing other tests that may require radiation.
• Fluoroscopy
  We have the latest “smart” pediatric fluoroscopy machine, which includes technology that adult fluoroscopy machines do not have. This reduces your child's radiation exposure by up to 90%.
• X-ray
  Our X-ray machine is digital, meaning there is less radiation used than with traditional X-ray or computed radiography (CR), all done in a dedicated pediatric environment by staff that have gone through special training.

Because we know your time is valuable, our pediatric imaging center has streamlined patient parking, registration, hospital navigation, and scheduling for a smooth pre-certification process. Pediatric imaging check-in is conveniently located just inside the door at the Pediatric ER entrance, located off of Quivira and 106th Street.

A vital pillar of our women's care program is a dedication to excellence in breast imaging. We help women in our surrounding communities gain access to the breast screening services they need to remain informed on their breast health and detect breast cancer as early as possible. Our hospital network provides eight breast imaging locations throughout Greater Kansas City.

The Breast Care Centers at our hospitals provide comprehensive breast imaging services, including:

• 3D breast ultrasounds
• 3D digital mammograms
• Breast MRIs
• Digital screening mammograms

Diagnostic testing is key to quickly and accurately identifying heart conditions. To help detect heart disease in its earliest stages, we perform many heart-specific imaging procedures, including:

• Cardiac CT scans
• Coronary calcium scans
• Echocardiograms
• Electrocardiograms (EKGs)
• Electrophysiology (EP) studies

Low-dose CT scanning offers specific benefits in cardiac imaging. Cardiac computerized tomography angiography (CTA) using low-dose CT technology is the only non-invasive way to visualize the heart and identify coronary artery disease. This method helps us ward off heart attacks before they occur by identifying heart conditions that are not easily detected.

To provide a comprehensive diagnosis, we commonly perform heart and vascular imaging procedures. Vascular imaging exams allow our doctors to visualize the movement of blood through the veins and arteries. It is used to diagnose a wide range of heart and vascular diseases. Vascular imaging services include:

• Arterial doppler ultrasounds (measures blood flow through the blood vessels)
• Carotid doppler ultrasounds (identifies narrowing or blockages in the carotid artery)
• Cerebral angiograms (X-rays to identify blockages or other problems in the head and neck)
• Femoral angiograms (X-rays of the blood vessels in the legs)
• Lower leg venograms (using a contrast agent to visualize veins in the legs)
• Peripheral vascular ultrasounds (examining the arteries in the legs)
• Renal angiograms (X-rays to examine blood vessels in the kidneys)
• Venograms (X-rays using contrast material to examine blood flow)
• Venous doppler ultrasounds (examining blood flow in the leg veins)

Our neurology programs use a variety of advanced imaging procedures to diagnose complex conditions of the brain, spine and nerves. Certain imaging modalities may also be used to help us form treatment plans with enhanced precision. This is crucial when dealing with sensitive structures, such the brain and spine. Neuroimaging procedures we perform include:

• Electroencephalograms, or EEGs (measuring and recording brain wave activity)
• Electromyograms, or EMGs (measuring electrical activity present in the muscles and nerves)
• Electronystagmographies, or ENGs (identifying involuntary eye movements)

In addition to the procedures listed above, we use imaging technology to perform:

• Barium enemas (X-rays of the colon using a contrast agent)
• Bone mineral density testing, or DEXA scans (assessing risk for falls and developing osteoporosis)
• Hysterosalpingographies (X-rays of the uterus and fallopian tubes)
• Intravenous pyelograms (X-rays using contrast agent to examine the kidneys, ureters and bladder)
• MRI arthrographies of the shoulder and hip (using fluoroscopy and an MRI to examine joints)
• Myelographies (fluoroscopies using a contrast agent to examine the spinal cord)
• Upper GI series (X-rays of the upper GI tract)

Interventional radiology is an advanced imaging field that uses image-guidance to perform minimally invasive treatment alternatives to surgery. Our board-certified interventional radiologists use the latest technologies to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions with assistance from CTs, MRIs, ultrasounds and similar technologies.

All Breast Care Centers at HCA Midwest Health facilities are Accredited Breast Centers recognized by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). Additionally, many of our hospitals are recognized by the American College of Radiology (ACR) for imaging excellence in a variety of procedures, including ultrasounds and mammography.