Medical Imaging

MRI

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a high-tech diagnostic tool that uses a powerful magnet and bursts of radio waves to take incredibly detailed images of the inside of the body. St. Mary’s uses the Toshiba Titan MRI scanner at our imaging centers at St. Mary’s Hospital on Baxter Street and St. Mary’s Outpatient Diagnostic, Rehab and Wellness Center on Daniells Bridge Road. The Toshiba Titan features a wide-bore, 1.5 Tesla magnet for incredibly detailed images and maximum patient comfort. It includes the latest system for cardiac imaging, including stress MR. St. Mary’s MRI suites are designed for the comfort of our patients, providing soothing lighting and plenty of space for a family member to be with the patient, a feature that is especially helpful when the patient is a child.

Cardiac MRI

Cardiac MRI can reveal information about the heart’s health, such as how much oxygen reaches heart muscle tissue. It can show which parts of the heart have been damaged by a heart attack, are being stressed by a partially blocked blood vessel, contain too much iron, or are struggling with excess water. And cardiac MRI can provide all of this information in a single session, after which the patient can simply go home or return to work. Cardiac MRI provides 3-D views of the heart and can measure the volume of the heart’s chambers more reliably than any other technique. It is also used to examine vital heart structures such as valves and chamber walls. These services are provided at the the Exchange, just off of Ga. 316, or at St. Mary’s Hospital at 1230 Baxter Street.

Mammography and Ultrasound

St. Mary’s offers the best in digital mammography facilities, plus same-day scheduling without the need for a physician order. Private changing rooms, fast scheduling, short waits and same-day answers on follow-up tests make St. Mary’s mammography center convenient and compassionate. If a doctor has seen something suspicious, a diagnostic workup can be done using mammography, ultrasound, and/or a biopsy, without having to consult your family physician. This ensures that you receive the proper care immediately. Ultrasounds are done back-to-back with a mammogram, which is convenient and timely. The rooms feature soothing lighting and attractive décor to help you feel more comfortable.

Schedule your mammogram online or call (706) 389-2700

3D Mammography

St. Mary’s is excited to announce the arrival of 3D Mammography. 3D mammography is the latest advancement in the battle against breast cancer. Using high powered computers to take multiple images, 3D mammography decreases superimposition of normal structures for better breast tissue visualization. Studies have shown that 3D mammography reduces the call back rate by 37%, decreases the unnecessary biopsy rate by 11%, and increases the detection of invasive cancer by 53%. Simply put, it’s a better mammogram. 3D mammography is available at the hospital and the OP imaging Center located on Daniells Bridge Road. For more information on our 3D mammography services, call 706-389-2300.

Breast MRI

St. Mary’s is advancing the art of cancer detection in the Athens area by using the Invivo DynaCAD system. This system has helped to make St. Mary’s the first breast MRI facility in the Athens area with computer assisted diagnostics (CAD) and MRI-guided breast biopsy. The system helps physicians pinpoint possible cancers with greater accuracy, detect tiny cancers not obvious on mammograms or ultrasound studies, and combine real-time MR images with special biopsy equipment for maximum accuracy with minimal scarring. Breast MRI also is excellent for detecting cancers in dense breast tissue and in women at high risk for breast cancer. Breast MRI is useful as a screening tool for women who have had breast augmentation.

CT Scanning

The Toshiba Aquilion 64 CFX scanner can produce photo-quality, 3-D images of the heart, brain, spine, liver, and other internal structures in seconds. Only 64-slice scanners are fast enough to be certified for studies of the heart, synchronizing with the patient’s heart rhythm to capture detailed images between heartbeats. In addition to stroke, cardiac and coronary artery studies, the Aquilion is excellent for a wide range of other conditions, including cancer; spine, neck and back pain; lumbar spinal stenosis; brain tumors; aneurysm; Alzheimer’s Disease; traumatic brain injury; Epilepsy; Parkinson’s Disease, brain tumor; Multiple Sclerosis; spinal cord injury; dystoma, and more. St. Mary’s fleet of CT scanners also includes a 16-slice scanner, along with CT services at our convenient Outpatient Diagnostic, Rehab and Wellness Center just off Ga. 316.

O-Arm Multidimensional Imaging System

The Medtronic O-arm Multidimensional Imaging System is a new technology to enhance outcomes for patients who need spine surgery. The O-arm combines mobility, low-dose x-ray imaging and ultra-fast image processing to provide live 3-D navigation during surgery. This technology enables the surgeon to obtain highly detailed images of the surgical site in seconds, all without moving the patient.

Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine uses a gamma camera and radioactive substances to diagnose and treat a number of conditions. Nuclear medicine differs from most other imaging methods in that it shows the physiological function of the body instead of the anatomy. St. Mary’s services and studies include nuclear cardiac stress tests; bone scans; renal, liver, and hepatobiliary studies, as well as diagnosis of Graves Disease through thyroid scans, uptake and therapeutic treatment for thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidisms. GI bleed studies, gastric emptying studies, lung quotients, sentinel node, breast and melanoma imaging are also studies performed.