Innovative Technology, Exceptional Care
Imaging services and procedures are critical to accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for countless conditions. Your care depends on the quality of the imaging technology used to conduct your test and expertise of the radiologist who reads your results, and at Baptist Health, we make sure both are exceptional.
To ensure greater accuracy, improved outcomes and faster, more convenient service, Baptist Health’s imaging service centers use the most advanced imaging technology. With multiple locations throughout Arkansas, we strive to make our exceptional care accessible within your community.
We’re also committed to reviewing and reporting your test results to your physician within 48 hours to ensure that if any issues are found, you can begin treatment as soon as possible. You can also view your test results through our patient portal, MyChart.
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Baptist Health Imaging Services
Bone mineral density (BMD) is a test that measures the amount of calcium in a specific region of the bones in order to estimate your bone strength.
A computed tomography (CT) scan (also called a computerized axial tomography, or CAT scan) is a special type of X-ray that can produce detailed pictures of structures inside the body. This imaging service can be used to obtain information about almost any body organ, blood vessels, the abdominal cavity, bones and the spinal cord. A CT scan produces clearer pictures of internal organs than a regular X-ray.
Mammography is the most accurate method of detecting breast cancer today. Women who follow a regimen of monthly breast self-exams, annual exams by their doctors and annual mammograms after age 40 can increase their breast cancer survival rates by up to 97 percent.
Many small tumors can be seen on a mammogram before they can be felt by a woman or her doctor. The Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) System utilizes breakthrough software technology to highlight potential areas of concern. The system provides radiologists a second review when reading a mammogram on an electronic Mammagraph™ report, which calls attention to subtle changes in tissue that may indicate the presence of cancer.
Digital mammography takes an electronic image of the breast and stores it directly in a computer, allowing the recorded data to be enhanced, magnified or optimized for further evaluation. Government studies determined that digital mammograms are better than traditional film methods in detecting breast cancer in women who are premenopausal, younger than 50 or who have dense breast tissue.
Digital mammograms offer significant advantages. Images are available immediately, and can be enhanced, stored digitally and transmitted instantaneously to a physician’s office or other facilities. These images are more detailed and can be acquired more quickly, reducing testing time.
A 3D mammogram is available at the Baptist Health breast centers in Little Rock and Fort Smith as well as Baptist Health Imaging Center-Saline County. 3D imaging makes it easier for doctors to catch breast cancer early. Learn more about breast care and women’s health services available at Baptist Health.
Fluoroscopy uses a continuous beam of X-rays to evaluate structures and movement within the body, such as blood traveling through a blood vessel, the diaphragm moving up and down or food moving through the digestive tract. A contrast material that shows up on X-rays can be injected or swallowed during fluoroscopy to outline blood vessels or organs.
Baptist Health uses advanced technology to improve our imaging services. One unique offering is icobrain from icometrix. This software uses state-of-the-art artificial intelligence to analyze brain MRI scans with exceptional precision. icobrain examines brain volumes, abnormalities and subtle brain volume changes over time, helping radiologists and neurologists detect and monitor neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, dementia and traumatic brain injury more quickly and accurately.
A low-dose CT lung screening uses X-rays to create detailed pictures of your lungs. Meant for current or former smokers, a low dose CT lung screening can reveal potentially-cancerous abnormalities on the lungs that a traditional chest X-ray could miss.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an imaging procedure that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to provide pictures of organs and structures inside the body. MRI can detect changes in the normal structure and characteristics of organs or other tissues, which may indicate diseases caused by trauma, infection, inflammation or tumors.
Nuclear medicine uses computer technology and radioactive substances to produce images of the body and treat disease. This imaging service is particularly useful for detecting tumors, aneurysms, irregular blood flow to tissues and inadequate functioning of certain organs.
Before an examination, you will be given a radioactive tracer to make tissues visible on the scans. Bones, organs, glands and blood vessels each use a different radioactive compound as a tracer, which is either ingested or injected, depending on the type of test. The radioisotopes have very low radiation levels that decay in minutes or hours and do not harm the body.
Common uses of nuclear medicine include diagnosis and treatment of hyperthyroidism (Graves’ Disease), cardiac stress tests to analyze heart function, bone scans for orthopedic injuries, lung scans for blood clots and liver and gallbladder procedures to diagnose abnormal function or blockages.
A PET/CT Scan (Positron Emission Tomography) is an imaging test that checks for cancer and diseases in the body. PET uses small amounts of radioactive materials called radiotracers or radiopharmaceuticals, a special camera, and a computer to evaluate organ and tissue functions. By identifying changes at the cellular level, PET may detect the early onset of disease before other imaging tests can.
UFE is a less invasive technique intended to block the flow of blood to uterine fibroids, depriving them of the oxygen and nutrients they require to grow. The procedure is performed under conscious sedation, typically lasting less than one hour. Read more about uterine fibroid embolization.
Ultrasound is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to show what is inside your body. Unlike an X-ray, an ultrasound exam does not use radiation. Instead, a small microphone-like transducer is placed on the area of interest. High-frequency sound waves are emitted and produce echoes from the internal tissues and organs. The transducer converts the echoes to electric signals to create an image.
A radiograph or X-ray is the oldest form of medical imaging and helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions by using a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the body’s internal structures.