Imaging services

A bone density screening test is also known as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) or bone densitometry. It is an enhanced form of X-ray technology used to determine bone health by measuring bone mineral density (BMD). It uses a small dose of radiation to take images of your bones. This allows us to measure bone mass and assess your risk for fractures and other potential bone and joint complications, such as low-bone mass or osteoporosis.

DEXA scans are used to diagnose osteoporosis, a condition that often affects women after menopause and, less often, men and children. This bone disease involves a gradual loss of calcium as well as structural changes, causing the bones to become thinner, more fragile and more likely to break. Early detection is critical to delaying the advancement of this disease.

Bone density scans are commonly used in preventive senior health, so our geriatric specialists can evaluate your likelihood of future fractures and provide the proper preventive treatment plan.

An electroencephalogram (EEG) uses sensors to evaluate electrical brain activity. This painless exam can help diagnose seizures and assess brain function, which may be affected by certain neurological conditions, head trauma, infections, tumors or dementia.

We offer a full spectrum of breast health services to help women have easy access to annual screenings. This allows our team of specialists to detect cancer and other diseases at their earlier stages when they're more treatable. Our imaging departments prioritize your comfort during your screening.

Some of the breast screenings and imaging services we offer include:

• 3D digital mammography (tomosynthesis)
• Breast cancer risk assessments
• Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Breast ultrasound
• Digital mammography with computer-aided detection
• Minimally invasive image-guided biopsy and aspiration
• Stereotactic breast biopsy

Ready to schedule a mammogram? We offer easy online appointment scheduling for mammograms.

Schedule Screening Mammogram

3D mammograms

The breast centers at our hospitals offer 3D diagnostic mammograms, the latest imaging mammography technology. These mammograms capture X-rays from multiple angles around the breast to gather fine details, especially above and below tissue. All of these images are then formed into a 3D model of the breast. This clearer, more accurate view of the breasts allows us to better detect breast cancer and decrease the number of false positive results.

We take special care of your digestive health, and it starts with our GI imaging services. A barium contrast agent is used to highlight the digestive tract for clear images.

Barium enema

This is an X-ray of the large intestine, which uses a contrast material (barium) to ensure the intestine shows up clearly.

Upper GI series

This is an X-ray of the upper digestive tract, which uses a contrast material (barium) to show clear images of the lower esophagus, stomach and upper small bowel.

Imaging is a critical component of diagnosing and treating cardiac emergencies and other heart conditions. We are proud to offer advanced heart imaging services, including angiograms, echocardiograms (ECHOs), electrocardiograms (ECGs/EKGs) and vascular ultrasounds.

Additionally, many of our facilities offer cardiac catheterization laboratories to perform minimally invasive cardiac imaging, testing and procedures.

Heart scan (coronary calcium scan)

Calcified plaque can build up over time and prevent blood from reaching the heart muscle. It can lead to coronary artery disease, and a complete blockage can lead to a heart attack. That is why heart screening and imaging, such as coronary calcium scans, are valuable diagnostic tools. We use them to measure the amount of calcified plaque inside the arteries of your heart. Then we can diagnose or even prevent many heart problems.

ECG/EKG

An ECG/EKG measures the electrical activity of your heart using small electrical sensors (electrodes) on your skin. The electrical signals are turned into a graph, so your doctor can review your heart's rhythm. This allows your doctor to diagnose heart attacks and heart arrhythmias (irregularities), as well as other heart conditions and problems, such as drug overdoses.

Interventional radiology uses X-rays, MRIs and other imaging modalities to move a catheter (thin tube) into the body. It can be used for both diagnosis and treatment. Many conditions — such as lung cancer or varicose veins — that once required surgery can be treated with less invasive procedures. This improves recovery time and causes less pain compared to traditional (open) surgery.

Lung cancer screening is recommended for patients who are considered high risk for developing the disease. We perform this screening with imaging techniques that allow us to detect nodules on the lungs that could be cancerous. We offer some of the most advanced screening practices in northern Virginia, including endobronchial ultrasounds and low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scans.

Nuclear imaging allows your doctor to detect problems in the earliest stages and to monitor your immediate response to therapies. The procedure uses small amounts of radioactive material to pinpoint molecular activity within the body. It may also be used to diagnose and treat some cancers, heart disease, GI conditions, endocrine disorders, bone abnormalities, stress fractures, neurological disorders and other diseases.

In addition to condition-specific testing, we provide a comprehensive set of exams, including:

• Angiography
• Bronchoscopy
• Colonoscopy
• Computerized axial tomography (CAT) scans
  • Positron emission tomography (PET)
  • Electron-beam CT (EBCT) or ultrafast CT
  • Single-proton emission CT (SPECT)
• CT angiography (CTA)
• CT bone density screening
• Endoscopy
• Fluoroscopy
• Intravenous pyelogram (IVP), or intravenous urography
• MRI
  • Open MRI
  • 3T MRI
  • Cardiovascular MRI
• Pulmonary function tests
• Ultrasound, including 3D and 4D ultrasounds often used in prenatal care
• X-rays

It is our priority to ensure that your procedure goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible. You'll receive specific information about preparing for your procedure when your appointment is scheduled.

For the most accurate results from your procedure, it's important to follow all of the instructions provided. If you did not receive instructions or have questions about them, contact your doctor's office and ask to speak with a nurse about the instructions.

Before your upcoming procedure, it's important you verify that it's covered by your insurance carrier. If you're unsure of your specific coverage, call your insurance company.

All of our hospitals offer imaging services, including innovative and advanced procedures to ensure you get a fast, accurate diagnosis. We also offer outpatient imaging centers across Virginia to give you options to locations that are convenient to you.

You can register online for an imaging appointment.