Diagnostic Imaging

Information for patients on preparing for CT and MRI scans

As part of our full array of health care services, Pacific Medical Centers offers both screening and diagnostic imaging provided by Inland Imaging. These skilled technologists and trained radiologists provide the detailed images and professional evaluation needed to make the best possible decisions for your care. PacMed Imaging features state-of-the-art equipment, accredited by the American College of Radiology.

Our outpatient imaging services are timely and flexible. We offer fast turnaround. Urgent findings are triaged, and reports can be phoned or faxed per physician request.

We are accessible to patients. We offer same-day appointments for digital X-ray and urgent exams for ultrasound, CT and MR. Patients can access reports online through MyChart and can request images on a CD.

We are professionals. Registered technologists perform our studies in a professional, compassionate clinical setting.

Our radiologists who review and diagnose all imaging exams have subspecialty fellowship training, including:

  • Body imaging
  • Breast imaging
  • Neuroradiology
  • Nuclear medicine
  • Orthopedic radiology
  • Pediatric radiology
  • Thoracic radiology

 

Available services include:

Screening Mammography
Screening mammography is available at our Canyon Park clinic and our Diagnostic & Wellness Center for Women.

Diagnostic Ultrasound
Abdomen; Renal and postvoid; Pelvis; Obstetrics (first trimester; second trimester anatomy; third trimester follow-up growth, fluid, position, etc.); Transplant liver and renal; Visceral Doppler; Thyroid; Scrotum; Abdominal wall for hernia; Soft tissue extremities non-vascular for masses

Advanced Imaging
CT, MRI, and ultrasound are available at PacMed Beacon Hill and Canyon Park locations. Diagnostic X-ray exams are available at all clinic sites.
PacMed also offers nuclear cardiology and a state-of-the-art cardiovascular lab.

We also provide breast imaging services.

 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

  • MRI brain, orbits, pituitary, internal auditory canal (IAC)
  • MRI soft tissue neck
  • MRI cervical, thoracic and lumbar sacral spines
  • MRI abdomen: MRCP, MR urography, MR liver, MR kidneys, MR enterography
  • MR pelvis: MR uterus, cancer staging for uterine and cervical cancer, MR defecograph, MR urethra, MR bladder and prostate
  • MRI extremities
    • MRI arthrography (insurance restrictions may apply)
    • MRA brain and MRV brain
    • MRA neck vessels
    • MRA chest, abdomen, pelvis
    • Aorta and peripheral runoff
    • MRA extremities

 

Computed Tomography Exams (CT)

  • CT brain, sinus, orbits, temporal bones, and TMJ
  • CT neck
  • CT chest: CT pulmonary angiogram, CT aorta, CT chest, low dose lung cancer screening
  • CT abdomen: multiphase liver CT, pancreas CT, renal mass CT, adrenal CT
  • CT angiograms (CTA): brain, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, aorta, SMA or AAA
  • CT enterography
  • CT urography: CT KUB or CT IVP
  • CT spine
    • Diagnostic cervical, thoracic, lumbar sacral spines
    • Therapeutic exams (insurance restrictions may apply)
    • Lumbar epidural steroid injections
    • Lumbar nerve root blocks
    • Lumbar facet joint injections
    • Sacroiliac injections
  • CT extremities
    • Shoulder, elbow, hip, wrist
    • Arthrogram joint injection

Information for Patients

How to Prepare for Your MRI

If you have any of the following conditions, please tell the radiology scheduler when your appointment is made. Please also alert the imaging technologist at the start of your exam.

  • Pregnancy
  • Claustrophobia
  • Intracranial clips
  • Hearing aids
  • Any metal fragments in your eyes or body
  • Metal jewelry: All metal jewelry must be removed prior to MRI.
  • Pacemakers: We do not scan patients who have pacemakers, these patients must be sent to Swedish.

 

How to Prepare for Your CT

Depending on the type of your CT exam, you will receive instructions when your exam is scheduled, and again when we call to confirm your appointment.

For CT exams with contrast, do not eat anything for 4 hours prior to your exam.

Certain abdomen and pelvis procedures require patients to drink 32 ounces of water 30 minutes prior to exam. CT enterography exams require patients to drink oral contrast prior to their exam. Many CT exams require intravenous contrast agent to improve the quality of the images.

Learn more about our Inland Pacific Imaging radiologists.