 Departments and Services > Diagnostic Imaging
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Women scheduling mammograms at Health Image in Melrose, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, or Melrose-Wakefield Hospital will likely notice a big difference. The standard mammography machines at these locations have been replaced with digital mammography equipment.
These new machines have been shown to detect breast cancer earlier than traditional mammograms and increase the chance for a cure.
"The technological leap forward that digital mammography represents allows for improved detail on the mammogram and improved visualization on dense breast tissue," said K. Eric Henrikson, MD, chief of radiology at MWH. "This can allow for earlier detection of a problem, therefore improving ultimate outcomes and the lives of our patients and their families."
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 Image-guided procedures encompass far more than unclogging blocked arteries caused by peripheral vascular disease. At Lawrence Memorial Hospital and Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, fluoroscopy (x-ray imaging) helps guide physicians in performing a number of minimally invasive treatments and diagnostic procedures.
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Melrose-Wakefield Hospital recently invested $1.5 million in a new 16-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner to radically improve diagnostic imaging for numerous conditions, including some cancers and bone and joint problems.
"This new technology allows our experts to look inside the human body and examine the cause of a patient's ailment through superb, detailed images of the body's bones, organs and all other soft tissue with precise detail and accuracy," said K. Eric Henrikson, MD, chief of radiology at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.
The new CT scanner delivers up to 1,000 images in eight to 10 seconds. This dramatically faster scanning speed allows quicker and more comfortable exams for patients and a reduced occurrence of rescans due to motion during the exam.
Meanwhile, smart technology automatically calibrates the radiation dose to the minimum required for each area of the patient's anatomy.
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Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH) recently began offering PET/CT scans - the most advanced imaging available for the detection and treatment of cancer. Although state-of-the-art PET scans have been available at LMH for some time, the combination of a PET and CT scan in one image gives doctors the ability to precisely pinpoint where and how active a tumor may be. PET scans reveal the metabolic processes of a tumor's growth, while CT scans help detect the precise location of a tumor. When the two images are overlaid to create one image through a PET/CT scan, doctors can more accurately detect and track the stages of cancer and determine what is malignant growth and what is not.
PET/CT also serves as a valuable tool in monitoring a patient's progress. The technology allows physicians to see, in great detail, if tumors are shrinking or if they have returned.
"Having cancer is stressful enough. PET scans have been particularly helpful in alleviating some of that stress by figuring out exactly which stage the cancer is at," said Douglas Taylor, MD, oncologist. "PET/CT only enhances our ability to develop a treatment plan that fits both the cancer and the patient."
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Diagnostic imaging is the process of creating images of the body, its organs, and other internal structures with external radiation. Diagnostic imaging techniques include the use of x-ray tubes that emit radiation, radionuclides, ultrasonographic devices, and radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.
Diagnostic imaging techniques are generally non-invasive, meaning the body is not penetrated with any equipment or cut open for imaging. However, certain procedures do combine diagnostic radiology techniques with minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat a condition. In addition, diagnostic imaging is often used to assist during minimally invasive surgery.
Many different diagnostic scans and procedures are also performed in nuclear medicine. Nuclear medicine utilizes small amounts of radioactive agents, such as thallium or technetium, to examine various organs and their structures. These scans are used to diagnose, manage, and treat medical disorders and diseases.
A highly accurate, rapid diagnosis is the critical first step in healing. For that reason, Hallmark Health offers a full range of diagnostic imaging, including:
PET/CT, the most advanced imaging technique available for the detection and treatment of cancer, as well as some types of dementia.
Computed tomography (CT), including revolutionary 16-slice CT, for diagnosing cancers, brain tissue abnormalities, lung disease, heart conditions, spinal deviations, kidney irregularity, bone fractures or deformities, and more.
A Special Procedures Suite, where interventional radiologists perform state-of-the-art, minimally invasive diagnostic procedures and non-surgical treatments.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosing injuries and conditions of the brain (including stroke), spine, and soft tissues (such as joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons).
Nuclear cardiology for diagnosing unexplained chest pain or angina.
Mammography for routine breast cancer screenings and evaluation of breast abnormalities.
Bone densitometry for routine osteoporosis screenings, diagnosing osteoporosis, and assessing risk for developing fractures.
Stereotactic and ultrasoundguided breast biopsy for evaluating breast abnormalities detected by mammography.
Ultrasound services for confirming pregnancies, diagnosing cardiac abnormalities, examining the gall bladder, and checking veins for blockages.
X-ray for viewing and assessing broken bones; diagnosing pneumonia, heart failure, emphysema and lung cancer; and guiding orthopedic surgery and the treatment of sports-related injuries.
Needle biopsy for evaluating abnormalities in the liver, lungs, thyroid gland and kidneys.
Most imaging tests and treatments are performed as outpatient procedures. For locations and more information, call 1-800-540-9191 to request a Service and Provider Directory.
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