Imaging
The Right Imaging Services. The Right Diagnosis.
Radiology professionals at CHI St. Alexius Health provide access to today’s most advanced medical imaging services to ensure our patients receive accurate and timely results. Our capabilities include X-rays, bone-density scanning, mammography, CT and MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and PET, and interventional vascular procedures.
State-of-the-art technology combined with uncompromising professional standards and a total dedication to our patients enables us to provide the most modern, safe and accurate diagnostic services available.
Diagnostic Imaging
CT Scan
CT scanning at CHI St. Alexius Health combines a series of x-rays taken from different angles to produce cross-sectional images of the bones and soft tissue of the body. It produces a volume of information that the radiologist can look at or slice from top to bottom, side to side or front to back.
It can produce a 3-D image of the area scanned, and is a way to quickly examine the body for internal injuries due to trauma. CT can also be used to examine the brain, torso, extremities or any other part of the body. Most CT scans are completed within five minutes.
MRI
MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, at CHI St. Alexius Health is a non-invasive medical exam. Physicians use MRI to help diagnose problems such as tumors, bleeding, infection, and/or injury. Unlike x-rays, MRI does not use radiation. It uses a powerful magnet, radio waves and a computer to produce pictures.
Most MRI exams take 15 to 30 minutes and are scheduled through a physician.
During an exam, the patient lies in the center of the donut-shaped area called the bore. CHI St. Alexius offers a 60-centimeter bore MRI and the region’s only 70-centimeter open bore MRI system. The larger bore helps accommodate a greater variety of body sizes, shapes, and conditions.
In addition, this system has a shorter magnet design. Many exams can be done with the patient’s head and feet outside the scanner. With either system, the radiology staff is committed to helping patients feel at ease. During most exams, patients can listen to XM/Sirius radio, their own CD, or iPod.
Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine specialists at CHI St. Alexius Health use safe radioactive materials to image the body and treat disease. Nuclear medicine imaging is unique because it provides doctors with information about both structure and function.
It is a way to gather medical information that would otherwise be unavailable, require surgery, or necessitate more expensive diagnostic tests.
Nuclear medicine imaging procedures often identify abnormalities very early in the progress of a disease long before many medical problems are apparent with other diagnostic tests.
PET/CT
CHI St. Alexius is the first in Bismarck and Williston to offer digital PET/CT imaging.
PET images reveal metabolic activity in the body, but lack the detail to identify the exact location. The CT scan provides an anatomical reference. Together, these two scans allow you to view metabolic changes in the proper anatomical context.
Our digital PET/CT technology offers:
- Improved image quality with 80 slice CT
- Detection of lesions as small as 1.4 mm
- Shorter scan times
- Smaller injections of radioactive material, reducing radiation exposure
- Motion correction - monitors a patient’s breathing and adjusts for image distortion
- Reduces artifacts in joint replacement, dental and metal implants
- 550 pound patient weight
What is the patient preparation?
- No food or drinks 6 hours prior to the scan (except for water)
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Drink water
- Diabetic patients may need to alter diet and medication. Consult radiologist prior to order
- Radiologist must receive copies of recent radiographic films and reports
Fluoroscopy
X-Ray
CHI St. Alexius Health uses x-rays to produce digital radiographs - used for the evaluation of many bony and soft tissue structures.
Fluoroscopy, a special application of x-rays, is a technique that allows for real time imaging of structures in motion or that are enhanced by a contrast agent.
Due to its availability, speed and lower costs, radiography is often the first-line test of choice in radiologic diagnosis.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, at CHI St. Alexius Health is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. It involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Ultrasound exams do not use ionizing radiation (as used in x-rays).
Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.
Doppler ultrasound is a special ultrasound technique that evaluates blood flow through a blood vessel, including the body's major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs and neck.
PADnet
Women's Imaging
Mammography
Learn more about mammography services at CHI St. Alexius Health.
Breast MRI
Breast Ultrasound
Pelvic Ultrasound
DEXA - Bone Density Scan (Osteoporosis Screening)
CHI St. Alexius Health uses special x-ray equipment to measure bone mineral density (Osteoporosis Screening). Results can be used by physicians to estimate the amount of bone loss due to osteoporosis, to track the rate of bone loss over a specific time period and to estimate the risk of fractures.