Radiology Procedures and Frequently Asked Questions
The following is a list of some of specialized procedures and techniques available in The Emory Radiology Department. Please click on the procedure for definition of how it works and what it diagnoses.
Featured Procedures of The Emory Radiology Department
The following procedures represent the latest innovations in technology and research performed with special expertise by The Emory Radiology Department. Each procedure listed below is linked to the Emory Radiology division that performs the procedure.
- Ablation of tumors by RF Energy-Abdominal Radiology:
The treatment of primary tumors or selected metastases to the liver with the use of radio frequency energy.
- CT Angiography for Pulmonary Embolism - Cardiothoracic Imaging:
A non-operative procedure to remove blood clot blockage in the lungs.
- CT Screening for Coronary Artery Calcification - Cardiothoracic Imaging:
A joint program with Emory's Department of Cardiology, this procedure detects and quantifies the presence of deposits that build up in the coronary arteries, blocking blood flow to the heart.
- CT Screening for Lung Cancer- Cardiothoracic Radiology:
A CT based program that detects modules in the lungs, combined with active research in computer assisted diagnosis. This procedure has greatly aided the early detection of cancer.
- 3D Image Processing Laboratory is used to further process the image data generated during an imaging study. The color coding and 3D view expand the range of diagnostic information available from the image data.
- Peripheral Vascular Disease - Vascular Interventional Radiology, diagnosis
This includes the non-invasive diagnosis and minimally-invasive therapy for conditions that are caused by fatty materials accumulating in the lining of the arterial wall. These materials may affect the abdominal aorta and its major branches, as well as the arteries of the legs, and can cause conditions such as blood clots.
- Treatment of hypertension caused by renal artery disease - Vascular Interventional Radiology. This procedure treats high blood pressure caused by renal artery disease, (arterial disease in the kidneys).
- PET scanning for tumor staging- PET: (Nuclear Medicine)
This procedure uses radiopharmaceuticals, or pharmaceuticals containing small amounts of radioactive particles, to detect cancers or tumors.
- Vertebroplasty - Interventional Neuradiology:
A procedure that treats back pain and prevents spine damage by using the injection of a glue-like material designed to hold the spinal vertebrae together.
- Virtual Colonoscopy- Abdominal Radiology:
The virtual colonoscopy is an innovative, new, minimally invasive procedure. It is a way of evaluating the colon for polyps and masses using CT. The procedure reduces the discomfort and cost of a traditional colonoscopy that is conducted with a viewing tube inserted in the anus.
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CT Scan (Computed Tomography)
What is a CT Scan?
A specialized form of x-ray that produces cross-sectional images of specific parts of the body.
How does It work?
An x-ray tube focuses a precise beam of light on a section of the body. A computer analyzes the readings from the x-ray at thousands of different points and converts the information into images that can be studied.
What can it diagnose?
CT scans are used to examine soft tissues and internal organs because conventional x-rays can't differentiate bone, tissue, fat, gas and other organs. CT scans can check the size and structure of an organ and determine if it is solid or filled with fluid. They are used to diagnose tumors, cancers, spine injuries and various other abnormalities of the body. They are also used as a rapid diagnostic tool for traumatic injuries.
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
What is an MRI?
MRI pictures are produced by the use of magnetic radio waves that a computer translates into images. The images are highly precise and the MRI procedure is painless and harmless.
How does it work?
The patient is placed in an MRI machine for the scan. Radio waves are beamed into the magnetic field inside the machine. The waves create a force that releases energy from the body. This energy is measured and provides information about the body tissues.
What can it diagnose?
MRI produces clear images of soft tissue that provide almost as much information as a direct examination of the actual organ. MRI is very valuable in the diagnosis of brain and nervous system disorders, cancers and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
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Nuclear Medicine
What is Nuclear Medicine?
Nuclear medicine provides images by concentrating radioactive compounds, or radioisotopes, in the certain parts of the body and taking scans of the area.
How does it work?
A chemical compound is given to a patient is a very small dose by a specially trained technologist. The compound contains a small amount of radioactive material. There are many different compounds that can be given that will act on separate parts of the body. Once the compound has had time to concentrate in the body, the patient will be scanned with a Gamma Camera and a physician will analyze the images taken.
What can it diagnose?
The scans can evaluate patients for bone, liver, lungs, heart, brain and kidney abnormalities. In addition, they are very effective for diagnosing disorders of the endocrine system.
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Vascular Interventional Radiology (Angiography)
What is Vascular Interventional Radiology?
Interventional radiology is a non-operative method of treating patients using catheters or other small devices, guided by radiological images. Some interventional procedures have replaced traditional surgery.
How does it work?
An interventional radiologist uses the catheters to unblock arteries or drain obstructions. The placement of the catheters is guided by injecting contrast dye into the catheter, which visualizes the area that is being treated.
What can it treat or diagnose?
Vascular Interventional radiology can be used for conditions of the arteries, the kidneys, the liver and other organs that might otherwise require surgery. Typical procedures include angioplasty, the opening of blocked blood vessels and nephrostomy, the drainage of an obstruction in the kidney. This procedure is also used to diagnose vascular disease.
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Ultrasound
What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of internal organs and tissues. It is a very safe and effective method of imaging.
How does it work?
Ultrasound uses a device known as a transducer to send out high frequency sound waves into the body. The transducer is placed on the patient's skin and the waves reflect off organs and transmit back into the ultrasound machine, producing images of the area.
What can it diagnose?
Ultrasound can provide images of soft tissue to identify conditions of the liver, kidneys, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, spleen and pelvic region. For women, an ultrasound can examine the uterus, ovaries and during pregnancy, the fetus. For men, an ultrasound can search for abnormalities in the prostate.
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