Radiology in Germantown MD
The Radiology Clinic is a premier radiology center serving the community of Germantown MD. With state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging services and a team of fellowship-trained radiologists, we are dedicated to improving the health of our patients by providing accurate and timely results. Our mission is to deliver compassionate and comprehensive care while upholding the highest standards of integrity. Whether you need an MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, mammogram, or any other radiology service, our experienced staff is here to meet your needs.
12850 Middlebrook Road, Suite 110
Germantown, MD 20874
3T MRI Germantown MD
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), a non-invasive procedure in radiology, is used to study the anatomy of a patient through the use of magnetic fields, field gradients, and radio waves. These are then reconstructed into images by a special computer. An MRI is considered to be advanced in cross-sectional imaging, as is a CT. MRIs are also used in research as well as diagnostic procedures because of their high versatility. Today’s medical imaging has taken considerable advancement with the 3T MRI. This new breakthrough technology is a great step for the field of radiology. From lower strength MRIs to 3T MRIs, it provides patients with improved options for diagnosis. The Radiology Clinic offers 3T MRIs to residents of Germantown MD and is happy to provide their patients with the latest technology.
3T MRIs in Germantown MD represent a remarkable advancement in radiology services. Until recently, the only use for these new powerful machines was in research facilities. The “T” in the name represents a Tesla, the unit of measurement for the strength of a magnetic field. The strongest MRI available for use with the general public was 1.5 Tesla in strength. The new advancement offers double the strength of the traditional closed MRI and up to ten to fifteen times the strength of an open MRI.
Benefits of 3T MRI
A 3T MRI offers various benefits to patients. They include:
- Faster MRI
- Greater patient comfort
- Greater patient tolerance
- Less requirement for patient sedation
- Higher-quality vascular imaging
- Fewer artifacts because of motion
- Greater efficiency
- Better anatomic detail
- Higher spatial resolution
- Extreme reliability
- Earlier diagnosis
- Earlier treatment
The possibility of an earlier diagnosis leads to earlier treatment. A 3T MRI provides the most detailed MRI imaging currently available to patients.
Calcium Scoring Germantown MD
CAD, coronary artery disease, often originates in the inner walls of one or more of the heart arteries in the form of cholesterol-filled plaque and other fatty substances. As you grow older, the burden of these deposits becomes hardened with calcium. If a coronary artery becomes too narrow, the flow of oxygen-rich blood that is able to reach the heart muscles becomes restricted. If these problem areas are not identified in time and addressed with the proper treatment, the calcification can lead to more serious problems such as heart attack, heart failure, and other heart-related issues.
What is Calcium Scoring?
Calcium scoring refers to a non-invasive outpatient test involving no IV or medications that are sometimes performed to assist with identifying the existence of CAD. Calcium scoring is also used to evaluate the risk of a heart attack. The simple and painless test requires only minimal preparation, and patients can expect the exam to last 15 minutes or less.
What Does the Procedure Involve?
On your test date, our expert technologists and radiologists will take a heart CT after placing EKG leads. These detailed photos of your heart and arteries help the radiologist determine whether or not calcification has occurred in the arteries. If calcification is present, they can figure out where and how much of it there is. Once this important information has been collected, your “calcium score” is given.
- Scores between 11-100 are a sign of mild calcification.
- Scores between 101-400 are a sign of moderate to severe atherosclerotic plaque.
Based on the findings of this information, our radiologists can help determine your risks too. This in turn will help your physician establish a personalized treatment plan that could include making changes to your diet, adding or adjusting medications, and additional testing.
Risk Factors
There are many risk factors for developing CAD, including:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- And more!
Some people may experience warning signs of a heart problem, such as:
- Angina (chest pain)
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
Others experience no symptoms or warning signs at all. Because of this, it is important to speak with your doctor regarding your individual risk factors and decide if calcium scoring done in Germantown MD by The Radiology Clinic may be beneficial to you.
Calcium Scoring in Germantown MD
Don’t wait to make your health a top priority. Contact us today to set up your Calcium Scoring appointment.
CT Scan Germantown MD
A 3-D Medical Image
When you need a CT scan in Germantown MD, contact The Radiology Clinic for an efficient and technologically advanced imaging procedure. This type of medical imaging is appropriate for diagnosing conditions such as cancer or infection. These are the parts of the body that are viewable with this three-dimensional medical image:
- Lungs
- Colon
- Heart
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Spine
- Extremities
Before arriving at The Radiology Clinic for a CT scan in Germantown MD, we advise patients to avoid consuming food for two to four hours before the test. In addition, stop drinking beverages for one hour before the procedure to make it easier to remain comfortable throughout the examination. For CT scans, you may need to remove your clothing and eyeglasses before putting on a hospital gown in order to recline on a specialized table for the testing procedure. A CT scan is used on different ages of patients, including infants, teenagers, and senior citizens.
A CT scan may require an injection of contrast dye, or you might require an oral solution to create a better medical image. Computed tomography (CT) exams collect numerous images from several angles in order to produce a cross-sectional image of a portion of your body. After the image is collected, a radiologist is able to view the information right away before sending the CT scan results to your physician for proper diagnosis and treatment. Imaging with a CT scan will make it easier to diagnose problems such as growth or infection. At our radiology center, patients can schedule a CT scan or have a walk-in examination.
Digital X-ray Germantown MD
Conditions Diagnosed Using Digital X-ray
A digital X-ray in Germantown MD by The Radiology Clinic can help with the diagnosis of a variety of medical problems, including:
- Broken bones – in fingers, arms, and other body parts
- Lung problems – a collapsed lung or serious infection
- Heart problems – enlarged heart and CHF
- Cancerous growths – found in different body regions
- Obstructions – blockages in the digestive tract
- Kidney stones
Typically, one waits for several hours for a medical imaging test at a hospital’s emergency room. At The Radiology Clinic, a patient is taken for examination as soon as possible. We only use the most modern equipment. As a matter of fact, we look forward to discussing the advantages of digital x-ray with you and scheduling your appointment today.
The Radiology Clinic Offers Fast Medical Imaging
Digital x-rays are available within a few seconds on a computer screen, and the radiologists at The Radiology Clinic can send the information to any medical facility around the world. With this capability, you can have a specialist look at your x-ray to make a diagnosis right away in order to begin the best treatment for your medical problem.
Advantages of a Digital X-ray Germantown MD
A great advantage of this type of x-ray is that a radiologist can enhance the image to make it easier for a physician or surgeon to see the health problem that you are having. In addition, a digital x-ray requires less radiation, making this imaging technique a healthier option than a traditional x-ray.
Visit a Modern Medical Facility
The Radiology Clinic, a state-of-the-art medical facility, serves residents of Rockville and Germantown MD, and surrounding areas. Patients can request scheduled appointments or arrive during business hours for a walk-in appointment. By visiting this medical facility’s website, it is easy to print out the forms needed by office staff before arriving to make the process of obtaining a digital x-ray faster.
Pediatric Radiology Germantown MD
Select a Radiology Clinic That Has Expert Medical Staff
When a child of any age needs pediatric radiology in Germantown MD, parents want to go to a clinic where the radiologists have an understanding of working with children. Children undergoing examinations from physicians are often fearful about the process. Parents can find a place, like The Radiology Clinic, where the medical staff knows how to communicate with younger children to soothe their fears. Correspondingly, we at The Radiology Clinic strive to make your child’s experience a great one!
Types of Diagnostic Images
The Radiology Clinic is a state-of-the-art imaging center, which has fellowship-trained radiologists who can collect and interpret these types of diagnostic images:
- Digital X-rays
- CT scans – Computed Tomography
- MRIs – Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Ultrasound
The Radiology Clinic Is a Modern Facility
Pediatric radiology for children is necessary to diagnose illnesses and diseases to help a physician create the best treatment plan. All things considered, parents want their children to have the best diagnostic images, and The Radiology Clinic is the number one choice for residents in Germantown MD. Obtaining diagnostic images from infants and toddlers is a complex process because the child is unable to communicate where they are experiencing discomfort, but a knowledgeable radiologist can make the testing procedures easier.
How to Obtain Radiology Services
At The Radiology Clinic, we have created child-friendly diagnostic rooms in order to collect a limb or chest scan as quickly as possible. In addition, our radiologists are certified to obtain diagnostic images from children who need to have reduced exposure to radiation. Coupled with our fast diagnostic capabilities, we can complete most pediatric radiology studies for Germantown MD children without sedation. We accept walk-in patients who need diagnostic images right away too. Moreover, it is possible to contact our radiology center by phone, by online appointment request through our website, or by email to schedule an appointment.
Breast Imaging & Mammogram
Mammography is an imaging method that allows physicians to detect breast cancer and other diseases related to the breast.
Breast imaging covers several techniques: mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, and biopsies. At The Radiology Clinic Breast Imaging Center, we take the utmost care of our patients from the time of scheduling, throughout the actual imaging procedure, and through the reporting phase to your physician. During a mammogram, our dedicated breast imaging technologist will take low-dose X-ray pictures of your breast.
Ultrasound Germantown MD
If you need an ultrasound in Germantown MD, our office is ready for your call. As has been noted, we offer highly professional services. In addition to the technical aspects, our employees are also trained to communicate well with patients so that they may provide the best service possible.
Who Benefits from an Ultrasound in Germantown MD?
Ever wondered why pregnant women get ultrasounds rather than x-rays? Ultrasound is safer for the baby due to a lack of radiation. Ultrasounds (also known as sonography) can diagnose the causes of swelling, pain, or infection in a patient.
How Should I Prepare for Ultrasound?
Before your ultrasound, you may be instructed to forgo eating or drinking, depending on what area is being imaged, and why. Wear loose-fitting clothing and avoid wearing jewelry. For your ultrasound, you may be asked to change into a gown. This is a non-invasive imaging technique and does not use radiation.
What Should I Expect?
An ultrasound is not an invasive procedure. A gel is squeezed onto the area that will be examined and a transducer will go over that area. To create images, the transducer emits sound waves.
What Do the Results Mean?
Our team of board-certified, expert radiologists will interpret the images and summarize the diagnoses on a detailed report. For a typical pregnancy, this is a happy occasion. For discomfort, we can show you the source of your pain, which your doctor can then utilize to create a treatment plan with steps that help mitigate the medical problem for muscle or tendon problems.
DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorption)
Dual-energy X-ray absorption, commonly referred to as DEXA, is a radiology procedure that uses low levels of X-Ray to evaluate for signs of osteoporosis or other degenerative bone diseases. At The Radiology Clinic, we use the newest, most advanced DEXA technology from Hologic. Scans are quick, accurate, and quickly reported.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans are a special type of imaging procedure that allows radiologists to see the metabolic activity, or function, of tissues and organs within the body. PET scans in Germantown MD are particularly useful for evaluating cancer or tumors and if they have metastasized into other areas of the body. PET scans are also used to evaluate cancers after treatment to assess the effectiveness of the treatment itself.
The Radiology Clinic is Montgomery County’s premier Radiology practice in Germantown MD. Our providers are all board-certified, fellowship-trained Radiologists with decades of experience. Each PET scan is protocoled and tailored by a Radiologist to produce the most accurate examination for each patient and their underlying medical condition. Results are carefully reviewed and communicated to the ordering provider. Our Radiologists in Germantown MD, regularly confer with our local referring physician community to ensure that each patient is scanned and diagnosed appropriately based on their underlying medical condition and stage of treatment.
The Radiology Clinic uses the latest PET technology to produce the highest quality imaging and the most comfortable experience for the patient. Our PET scanner utilizes the latest dose-reduction techniques to minimize radiation exposure. The bore of the scanner is the largest on the market at 90 cm. This provides the patient with a comfortable and roomy examination, especially for those who may be claustrophobic.
