Downey Regional Medical Center (DRMC) offers a variety of diagnostic services using a wide range of imaging and technology. The Radiology Department at DRMC provides a full range of services including:
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Computerized Tomography (CT)
• Digital Mammography
• Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
• Nuclear Medicine
• PET/CT
• Ultrasound
• Interventional Radiology
• Diagnostic Radiology.
These innovative systems offer painless alternatives to detect, diagnose, plan precise surgeries and treatment.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI is beneficial for diagnosing muscle and joint disorders, abdominal illnesses, brain and spine disorders. The MRI service at DRMC provides advanced image clarity and patient comfort. MRI guided breast biopsies are also available for referring physicians. Our MRI system is accredited by the American College of Radiology.
Computerized Tomography (CT)
DRMC has a 64 slice CT scanner, which is one of the most advanced imaging systems that provide high performance and image quality. The CT system produces precise anatomical images from bone to small arterial vessels and provides critical information for your physician to offer patients the best diagnostic care. The 64 slice scanner also produces excellent cardiac images with 3-D analysis of cardiac vessels and anatomy. This advanced system produces the highest quality exam but with the lowest radiation dose possible making the system a tool of choice. CT colonography is also available as a screening procedure.
Digital Mammography
DRMC offers conventional mammography services and will be moving to digital mammography in the spring of 2012. Digital mammography offers superb image quality for visualization of the finest breast details with reduced radiation dose to the patient. The digital system has sophisticated, ergonomic features specifically developed to assure the well-being of all patients. Exam time is significantly reduced as the technologist has instant access to images in the mammography suite directly after the exam has been completed. DRMC’s mammography program is accredited by the American College of Radiology.
Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
Stereotactic breast biopsy is a state of the art, minimally invasive breast biopsy technique. It has been clinically proven to give results similar to open surgical biopsy at a fraction of the cost and recovery time. Currently, DRMC partners with Dedicated Biopsy Services whose technologists are some of the most experienced in the nation and are experts at assisting our Radiology team in providing the highest level of patient care and biopsy accuracy found anywhere. Utilizing Dedicated Biopsy Services gives our hospital the ability to offer our patients affordable access to the type of specialized equipment and highly experienced technologists that are usually only found at much larger, less community based facilities.
Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine provides whole body scanning to diagnose problems with bone disorders, abdominal diseases, thyroid problems, neurological issues and cardiovascular disease.
PET/CT
A PET scan is a nuclear medicine exam that measures vital function, such as blood flow, glucose metabolism and oxygen use. By recognizing cellular metabolic changes, PET often detects disease before anatomical changes are visualized by traditional imaging methods.
Because CT provides excellent anatomic information, the combination of PET and CT scans provides images that pinpoint the location of abnormal metabolic activity within the body. Small lesions or tumors are detected with PET and then precisely located with CT. The combined scans have been shown to provide more accurate diagnoses than the two scans performed separately.
Common uses for PET/CT scans include:
• Detecting cancer;
• Identifying the extent of cancer throughout the whole body for staging and restaging;
• Assessing the effectiveness of a treatment plan, such as radiation or chemotherapy;
• Determining if cancer has returned after treatment;
• Assessing blood flow to the heart;
• Evaluating brain abnormalities, such as tumors, memory disorders and seizures;
• Helping to diagnose dementia.
The benefits of PET/CT scans include:
• By identifying changes in the body at the cellular level, PET/CT can detect the early onset of disease before it is seen on other imaging tests;
• The combined CT images give crucial anatomical information, resulting in precise treatment plans;
• Because the images from the PET and CT are taken at the same time, the information is highly accurate;
• Shorter scan times result in greater patient comfort;
• PET/CT takes half as long to complete vs. standard PET and other nuclear medicine exams.
DRMC’s PET/CT program is accredited by the American College of Radiology.
General Diagnostic Ultrasound and US Guided Breast Biopsy Services
DRMC offers a full range of Ultrasound services which include general diagnostic exams, OB exams, and interventional ultrasound exams. The equipment used optimizes diagnostic outcomes when dealing with simple to complex anatomy and clinical findings. Ultrasound guided breast biopsy services are also offered to the referring physicians. DRMC’s diagnostic ultrasound program and breast biopsy program are accredited by the American College of Radiology.