STUTTGART, Ark. – Over the last year, Baptist Health Medical Center-Stuttgart has purchased new digital X-ray, MRI and ultrasound machines as well as the technology for digital mammography – all to better serve local residents and neighboring communities.
“Baptist Health made a promise to Stuttgart and the surrounding areas when we purchased this hospital,” said Kevin Storey, administrator for Baptist Health Medical Center-Stuttgart. “We want our families, our friends, and our neighbors to all have the same options for care that they would have in Little Rock or any major metropolitan area.”
The purchase of this state-of-the-art equipment and expanding services is just one way Baptist Health is keeping that promise.
What are the differences and uses of MRIs, ultrasounds and digital mammography?
MRI
MRI uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissue, bone and virtually all other internal body structures.
MRI does not use ionizing radiation (X-rays), so there is no radiation exposure to the patient.
These images allow physicians to evaluate various parts of the body and determine the presence of certain diseases such as chest, abdomen or pelvis tumors; cirrhosis of the liver; abnormalities of the bile ducts and pancreas; congenital heart disease; malformations and inflammation of the blood vessels; Brain abnormalities; multiple sclerosis; herniated discs in the spine; and tissue tears in all extremities.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging involves the use of a small transducer (probe) and ultrasound gel placed directly on the skin. High-frequency sound waves are transmitted from the probe through the gel into the body. The transducer collects the sounds that bounce back and a computer then uses those sound waves to create an image. Many people think of ultrasound as only being used during prenatal visits to check on a baby’s development, but it can also help diagnose a variety of conditions and show the structure and movement of the body’s organs as well as blood flowing through blood vessels in real time. Ultrasound also helps to:
•Guide procedures such as needle biopsies
•Targeted imaging of breast
•Diagnose heart conditions such as valve problems and congestive heart failure
•Assess damage after a heart attack
•Distinguish between cyst version solid mass
Digital Mammography
In digital mammography, X-ray beams are captured on a specially designed digital detector. This detector then converts the X-ray beams into electronic signals, which are then transferred to a computer. The computerized image is available for the radiologist to review on a specialized high-resolution monitor. Images may be manipulated by the radiologist using the computer’s tools such as magnifying, masking of light, inversion (negative of the image) and comparison to prior mammograms. The biggest advantage of digital mammography is the improved cancer detection in breasts. Other benefits are less radiation exposure and quicker exams than with traditional mammography.
“We want to be the first line of offense when it comes to helping our patients and their doctors determine and treat medical issues that need imaging services,” said Tommy Moss, director of radiology at Baptist Health Medical Center-Stuttgart. “That’s why the hospital has invested so much in all this new technology and equipment.”
Baptist Health is an Arkansas-based, locally owned and managed, not-for-profit, and faith-based health-care organization. Baptist Health is also Arkansas’ most comprehensive healthcare organization with more than 9,100 employees operating nine hospitals. For more information about BHMC-Stuttgart, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST.