Specializations

Our radiologists serve more South Plains imaging departments than any other provider. Our 20+ board certified radiologists have been serving the area for 30 years. Lubbock Diagnostic Radiology specializes in the following:

BONE DENSITY

WHAT IS A DEXA SCAN?

To accurately detect osteoporosis, doctors commonly use DEXA bone densitometry to measure bone mineral density (BMD). DEXA is a quick, painless procedure for measuring bone loss. Measurement of the lower spine and hips are most often done.

Peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (P-DEXA) machine, which measures bone density in the wrist or forearm, are portable units that can be used in a doctor's office.

Bone Radiology Resource
Bone Radiology Resource (Spanish)

COMMON USES

DEXA bone densitometry is commonly used to diagnose osteoporosis, a condition that often affects women after menopause but may also be found in men. Osteoporosis involves a gradual loss of calcium, causing bones to thin, become more fragile, and more likely to break.

The DEXA test can also assess your risk for developing fractures and is effective in tracking the effects of treatment for osteoporosis and other conditions that can cause bone loss. Bone density testing is recommended for:

Post-menopausal women age 60 or older who have risk factors for developing osteoporosis.
Patients with a personal or maternal history of hip fracture or smoking.
Post-menopausal women who are tall (over 5 feet 7 inches) or thin (less than 125 pounds).
Men and women who have hyperparathyroidism.
Men and women who have been taking medications that are know to cause bone loss for an extended period of time.

CT SCAN

WHAT IS COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY?

CT (computed tomography), also called a CAT scan, uses x-ray and computer equipment to produce cross-sectional images from of body tissues and organs. CT imaging is useful because it can show several types of tissue, such as lung, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels.

Body CT Scan
Body CT Scan (Spanish)
Abdomen CT Scan
Abdomen CT Scan (Spanish)
Chest CT Scan
Chest CT Scan (Spanish)
Head CT Scan
Head CT Scan (Spanish)
Pedia CT Scan
Pedia CT Scan (Spanish)

COMMON USES

Studying the chest and abdomen.
Diagnosing cancer. CT examinations are often used to:
- Plan and properly administer radiation treatments for tumors.
- Guide biopsies and other minimally invasive procedures.
- Plan surgery.
- Determine surgical respectability.
Diagnosing and treating spinal problems and injuries to the hands, feet and other skeletal structures.
Measuring bone mineral density for the detection of osteoporosis.
Identifying injuries to the liver, spleen, kidneys, or other internal organs.
Detecting, diagnosing and treating vascular diseases that can lead to stroke, kidney failure, or even death.

FLUOROSCOPY

WHAT IS FLUOROSCOPY?

With the aid of a contrast agent, Fluoroscopy enables a x-ray technologist to capture an image of an internal body organ while it is functioning. This contrast agent allows the image to be viewed clearly on a monitor or screen.

IVP
Upper GI
Lower GI

COMMON USES

Fluoroscopy is used to screen for ulcers, benign tumors (polyps, for example), cancer, or signs of certain other intestinal illnesses.

WHAT TYPES OF TESTS ARE GIVEN?

Barium Swallow
Myelography
Upper GI
Lower GI (Barium Enema)
Small Bowel Follow Through

INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY

WHAT IS INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY?

Interventional radiologists (IRs) use their expertise in reading X-rays, ultrasound, and other medical images to guide small instruments such as catheters through the blood vessels or other pathways to treat disease through the skin. These procedures are typically much less invasive and much less costly than traditional surgery.

WHAT TYPES OF TESTS ARE GIVEN?

Angiography- An X-ray exam of the arteries and veins to diagnose blockages and other blood vessel problems.
Balloon Angioplasty- Opens blocked or narrowed blood vessels by inserting a very small balloon into the vessel and inflating it.
Biliary Drainage and Stenting- A stent to open up blocked ducts and allow bile to drain from the liver.
Central Venous Access- Insertion of a tube to allow patients to receive medication or nutrients directly into the blood stream or so blood can be drawn.
Chemoembolization- Delivery of cancer-fighting agents directly to the site of a tumor.
Embolization- Delivery of clotting agents directly to an area that is bleeding or to block blood flow to an aneurysm or a fibroid tumor in the uterus.
Fallopian Tube Catheterization- A treatment for infertility - uses a catheter to open blocked fallopian tubes without surgery.
Gastrostomy Tube- Feeding tube inserted into the stomach for patients who are unable to take sufficient food by mouth.
Hemodialysis Access Maintenance- Use of angioplasty or thrombolysis to open blocked grafts for hemodialysis.
Needle Biopsy- Diagnostic test for breast, lung, and other cancers; an alternative to surgical biopsy.
Radio frequency (RF) Ablation- Use of radiofrequency energy to cook and kill cancerous tumors.
Stent- A small flexible tube used to treat a variety of medical conditions.
Stent-graft- Reinforces a ruptured or ballooning section of an artery (an aneurysm) with a fabric-wrapped stent.
Thrombolysis- Dissolves blood clots by injecting clot-busting drugs at the site of the clot.
TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt)- A procedure to improve blood flow and prevent hemorrhage.
Uterine Artery Embolization- A procedure of uterine arteries to stop life- threatening postpartum bleeding, potentially preventing a hysterectomy. The same procedure is used to treat fibroid tumors.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization- A procedure of uterine arteries to shrink painful, enlarged, benign tumors in the uterus.

MRI

WHAT IS MRI?

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, uses strong magnet and radio waves to provide clear and detailed diagnostic images of internal body organs and tissues. MRI is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of a broad range of conditions, including:

Cancer
Heart and Vascular Disease
Stroke
Joint and Musculoskeletal Disorders

Body MRI
Body MRI (Spanish)
Cardiac MRI
Cardiac MRI (Spanish)
Chest MRI
Chest MRI (Spanish)
Head MRI
Head MRI (Spanish)
Musculoskeletal MRI
Musculoskeletal MRI (Spanish)
Spine MRI
Spine MRI (Spanish)
Brain MRI
Brain MRI (Spanish)

COMMON USES

Imaging of the Musculoskeletal System- MRI is often used to study the knee, ankle, foot, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. MRI is also a highly accurate method for evaluation of soft tissue structures such as tendons and ligaments, which are seen in great detail. Even subtle injuries are easily detected. In addition, MRI is used for the diagnosis of spinal problems including disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and spinal tumors.
Imaging of the Heart- MRI of the heart, aorta, coronary arteries, and blood vessels is a tool for diagnosing coronary artery disease and other heart problems. Doctors can examine the size and thickness of the chambers of the heart and determine the extent of damage caused by a heart attack or heart disease.
Imaging for Cancer & Functional Disorders- Organs of the chest and abdomen such as the liver, lungs, kidney, and other abdominal organs can be examined in great detail with MRI. This aids in the diagnosis and evaluation of tumors and functional disorders. In the early diagnosis of breast cancer, MRI is an alternative to traditional x-ray mammography. Furthermore, because there is no radiation exposure is involved, MRI is often used for examination of the male and female reproductive systems.

NUCLEAR MEDICINE

WHAT IS NUCLEAR MEDICINE?

Nuclear medicine, or scan, uses a small amount of a radioactive substance to produce two or three-dimensional images of body anatomy and function. The diagnostic images produced by a nuclear scan are used to evaluate a variety of diseases. Sometimes a nuclear scan is combined with a CT scan.

Cardiac Nuclear Medicine
Cardiac Nuclear Medicine (Spanish)
General Nuclear Medicine
General Nuclear Medicine (Spanish)
Radioactive Iodine (I-131) Therapy
Radioactive Iodine (I-131) Therapy (Spanish)
Thyroid Scan and Uptake
Thyroid Scan and Uptake (Spanish)

COMMON USES

Nuclear medicine images can assist the physician in viewing, monitoring, or diagnosing:

Tumors
Blood flow and function of the heart
Respiratory and blood-flow problems in the lungs
Organ function - of the kidney, bowel, gallbladder and others

SCREENING

Diagnostic screening services are procedures that are used to check for disease in asymptomatic patients, provide information on patients with established disease processes, check on the benefit or side effects of other treatments, or to determine if a patient is free from a specific disease. Typical screening procedures include screening for:

Breast Cancer
Colon Cancer
Lung Disorders
Coronary Artery Blockages

ULTRASOUND

WHAT IS ULTRASOUND IMAGING?

Ultrasound imaging, also called sonography, is a method of obtaining diagnostic images from inside the human body through the use of high-frequency sound waves. Ultrasonography is used as a diagnostic tool that can assist doctors with making recommendations for further treatment.

Abdomen
Abdomen (Spanish)
Carotid
Carotid (Spanish)
General
General (Spanish)
Musculoskeletal
Musculoskeletal (Spanish)
Musculoskeletal MRI
Musculoskeletal MRI (Spanish)
Pelvus
Pelvus (Spanish)
Prostate
Prostate (Spanish)
Thyroid
Thyroid (Spanish)
Vascular
Vascular (Spanish)
Venousus (Extremities)
Venousus (Extremities) (Spanish)

COMMON USES

Viewing an unborn fetus.
Examining many of the body's internal organs, including the heart, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder.
Show movement of internal tissues and organs, enable physicians to see blood flow and heart valve functions.
Used to guide procedures such as needle biopsies.
Image the breast and to guide biopsy of breast cancer.
Evaluate superficial structures, such as the thyroid gland and scrotum (testicles).

MAMMOGRAPHY

WHAT IS MAMMOGRAPHY?

Mammography, also known as a mammogram, is the examination of the breast using x-rays. Mammography is considered the most effective tool for early breast tumor detection. Most medical experts agree that successful treatment of breast cancer often is linked to early diagnosis. Mammography plays a central part in early detection of breast cancers because it can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them.

Our Practice uses digital mammography. Also known as a full-field digital mammography, digital mammography allows the radiologist to alter the orientation, magnification, brightness, and contrast to produce images of the breast that can be seen on a computer screen. Computer-aided detection, or CAD, uses a digitized mammography image to search for abnormal areas of density, mass, or calcification that may indicate the presence of cancer. The CAD system highlights these areas on the images, alerting the need for further analysis.

Galactography (Ductography)
Galactography (Ductography) (Spanish)
Breast MRI
Breast MRI (Spanish)
Breast Ultrasound
Breast Ultrasound (Spanish)

ADVANTAGES OF DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY

Compared to conventional mammography which takes 10-15 minutes, digital mammography images are taken in less than a minute.
The superior contrast resolution of digital mammography and its ability to manipulate images make for more accurate detection of breast cancers.
Computer-aided detection, or CAD, obtains a second, computerized reading in the hope of finding more cancers or more accurately gauging signs of malignancy.
Digital mammograms can be archived in various ways and easily retrieved, and copied.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE A MAMMOGRAM?

Current guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the American Cancer Society (ACS), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) recommend screening mammography every year for women, beginning at age 40.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) recommends that women who have had breast cancer and those who are at increased risk due to a genetic history of breast cancer should seek expert medical advice about whether they should begin screening before age 40 and about the frequency of screening.

WHEN SHOULD I SCHEDULE A MAMMOGRAM?

Before scheduling a mammogram, you should discuss problems in your breasts with your doctor. In addition, inform your doctor of hormone use, any prior surgeries, and family or personal history of breast cancer. Generally, the best time is one week following your period. Do not schedule your mammogram for the week before your period if your breasts are usually tender during this time. Always inform your x-ray technologist if there is any possibility that you are pregnant.

Procedure Resources

X-RAY

WHAT IS AN X-RAY?

X-ray is the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging. X-rays can produce diagnostic images of the human body on film or digitally that allow doctors to view and assess broken bones or other injuries. X-rays are an important tool in guiding orthopedic surgery and in the treatment of sports-related injuries. X-ray may uncover more advanced forms of cancer in bones, although early screening for cancer findings requires other methods.

Bone
Bone (Spanish)
Chest
Chest (Spanish)

BENEFITS

Safer - less radiation than from conventional x-rays
Faster - takes less time because the technology can preview your images in seconds
More comfortable - because digital imaging technology is mobile, exams often can be performed upright rather than on an examination table
Require fewer repeat exposures - because your doctor has the ability to highlight areas of interest and magnify images for a more detailed exam.
Enhanced image quality
More accurate

COMMON USES

Assist doctors in identifying and treating of bone fractures.
View, monitor or diagnose joint injuries and infections, arthritis, artery blockages, abdominal pain.
Detection and diagnosis of cancer, although usually computed tomography (CT) or MRI is better at defining the extent and the nature of a suspected cancer.