Imaging and Radiology

Imaging & Radiology at Southeastern Med

Southeastern Med is proud to offer advanced Imaging and Radiology services to the people of Southeast Ohio. Today, non-invasive imaging techniques such as X-Rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Mammograms, Ultrasounds, CT Scans, and Nuclear Medicine can provide doctors with a much clearer picture of what’s happening inside your body. This, in turn, can lead to a faster diagnosis and a more effective treatment plan.

Our team of radiographers (the technologists who operate our equipment) and radiologists (the physicians who interpret the imaging results and/or guide radioactive treatments) are highly skilled in their specialized fields, and are trained to handle your procedure with care and precision.

The Imaging and Radiology Services at Southeastern Med include:

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Instead of using X-rays, an MRI produces an image of the inside of the body by using a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer system. Most exams take about 45-60 minutes, and they’re so precise that we can use them to map your whole circulatory system, revealing any problems in the arteries that could pose a threat of stroke or heart attack.

Southeastern Med offers a “wide-bore” magnet, which can help patients feel more at ease if they’re claustrophobic or uncomfortable with the dimensions of a traditional MRI machine. Because of the use of the magnet, however, patients with pacemakers or other medical equipment may not be eligible to undergo an MRI.

What to Expect with Your MRI
Getting an MRI can be a little intimidating, so the technologist will start by asking you some questions and easing you gently into the process. Earplugs will be provided to block out the sound of the machine. You’ll be asked to lie down in the center of the magnet and remain as still as possible throughout the MRI. We have light and air circulation within the MRI unit to help keep you comfortable, and two-way communication is available the whole time.

MRIs are conducted on the ground floor in the Diagnostic Imaging area. Call (740) 439-8040 with any questions.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound Imaging, also known as Sonography, utilizes sound waves, and is often selected for examining the bladder, stomach, gallbladder, liver, and kidneys. Of course, ultrasounds are also used to track the development of a baby for pregnant women.

What to Expect with Your Ultrasound
Talk to your doctor about how to prepare. For an abdominal ultrasound, it is very important to avoid food and drink 6-8 hours before the test. For a pelvis or bladder ultrasound, however, you will need a full bladder so we can see things clearly. In these cases, you’ll be asked to drink 32-48 ounces of water without going to the restroom, taking the last sip about an hour before your appointment. When the ultrasound is concluded, the results will be reviewed by a radiologist and your doctor.

Interventional Radiology

The interventional radiologist will take images but will also “intervene” on some medical procedures, such as:

• Abscess Drain Insertions
• Arteriograms / Angiograms / Embolizations
  • Carotid, Femoral, and Renal
• Arthrograms
• Biopsies – CT Guided & Ultrasound Guided
  • Bone Marrow Aspiration/Biopsy
  • Breast
  • Liver
  • Lung
  • Thyroid
• Breast Biopsies – Stereotactic & Ultrasound Guided
• Central Line Placement
• Chest Tube Insertion
• Diagnostic – Breast Mammogram / MRI Reading
• Epidural Injections
• Implanted Port Placement
• Lumbar Puncture
• Myeolograms – a special X-ray of the spinal cord and surrounding area
• Nephrostomy Tube Insertion / Replacement
• Paracentesis – inserting a needle into a cyst or cavity to remove fluid or gas
• PET Scan Reading – positron emission tomography
• PICC Line Insertions – peripherally inserted central catheter
• Thoracentesis – inserting a needle between the lungs and the chest wall to remove excess fluid
• Tunneled Dialysis Catheter Placement
• Vertebroplasty / Kyphoplasty – inserting bone cement between two vertebrae to add space between them, or inserting a small balloon to space out the vertebrae, then adding the bone cement