Tests and Results
Lakeland Regional Hospital System offers a wide range of diagnostic therapeutic radiology services.
Our radiology department utilizes advanced imaging, such as computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Lakeland exhibits its community commitment by offering a number of advanced services, such as digital mamography and MRI scans,at Lakeland Hospital, Niles. Because of he cost involved, patients from smaller communities usually must travel to larger cities for advanced imaging studies. But Lakeland firmly believes in its objective to provide quality services close to home.
Diagnostic Services
Angiography
Angiography is one of the most common ways to diagnose blockages in the arteries and veins through the use of X-rays. During angiography, the physician inserts a catheter into a very small incision in the groin area. A contrast dye is injected to make the blood vessels visible on an X-ray. The radiologist can then identify narrowing or blockages that may be effecting blood flow.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
Computed tomography (CT) is used to provide a three-dimensional cross section of bones and soft tissues, in the head, chest, abdomen, pelvis and extremities. The highly detailed images produced through CT scans are very useful in the diagnosis of acute illnesses such as cancer. For those patients, CT is also an effective tool for monitoring patients during and after treatment.
Fluoroscopy
Fluoroscopy is a technique that uses a continuous beam of X-ray to study moving body structures. The X-ray "movie" is transmitted to a video screen that can allow the physician to review images of the body and its motion in greater detail.
PET/CT
PET/CT is considered by many experts to be a significant advance in cancer diagnosis and staging. The PET imaging shows where high metabolic rates reveal the tiniest cancers with the anatomical accuracy of the CT scan.
PET/CT can give physicians a broader view of the patient’s condition. The combination of these two technologies is vastly superior to what either one of them could do alone. The two modalities operate very differently, but together they reveal important, sometimes critical information to physicians, such as the presence of minute malignant tumors.
Johns Hopkins introduced the world to the first production PET/CT scanner in June 2001. Lakeland offered southwest Michigan’s first scans in August 2003. At the time it was one of only a handful of scanners in the country.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) also shows detailed three-dimensional views of bones and soft tissue. MRI often provides even more details than CT. It is used, for example, for spine problems, vascular diseases, sports injuries and heart disease because it can detect even tiny tears in ligaments or muscles or small thickenings in the arteries. MRI gives radiologists the ability to clarify subtle soft tissue abnormalities, thus providing great assistance during disease treatment planning stages.
Lakeland has both a stationary MRI in St. Joseph, which is used for more complex cases and two mobile MRIs, one at St. Joseph, and one at Lakeland Hospital, Niles. Mobile MRIs allow Lakeland to provide quality care close to home at Niles, which normally would not have access to MRI technology. It also helps Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph keep up with the demand for service. Prior to obtaining the mobile MRI, the backlog was five to seven days. Now, patients can get an MRI within 24 hours.
Nuclear Medicine
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to obtain images from inside the human body. The sound waves’ echoes are reflected off of the bodies organs to create a "real-time" visual image. In addition to using ultrasound for obstetric purposes, it can also be used as a way to examine the bodies internal organs and to assess damage after heart attack.
X-ray
X-rays are the most frequently used form of medical imaging. X-rays are the quickest way for a physician to view joint and spine injuries or broken bones.