Imaging Center Gainesville

Bone density scanning, also called bone densitometry or DEXA (short for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) is a non-invasive, painless imaging procedure used to measure bone mineral density.

Bone density scans are used to help physicians diagnose osteoporosis and to track the effects of treatment for osteoporosis or other conditions that cause bone loss.

CT imaging uses special X-ray equipment to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body and a computer to join them together in cross-sectional views of the area being studied. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor or printed.

Want immediate results? Our imaging staff in Buford includes on-call radiologists who are able to read the image immediately and give a diagnosis within minutes.

X-rays are used for many purposes, such as determining if a bone is broken, seeing internal organs and looking for cancer. In some forms of X-rays, a chemical called contrast medium is given to help outline a specific body area the images.

Interventional Radiology (IR or VIR for Vascular Interventional Radiology) is a subspecialty of radiology in which minimally invasive procedures are performed using image guidance (fluoroscopy/X-Ray). IR is used for diagnostic and therapeutic care for a wide variety of vascular and nonvascular conditions throughout the body. It offers an alternative to the surgical treatment of many conditions and can eliminate the need for hospitalization, in some cases. IR is also sometimes referred to as “Special Procedures.”

Mammography is a type of imaging used specifically for examining breast tissue. During a mammography exam, most commonly known as a mammogram, four or more low radiation X-ray images of the breast are captured, with the breast being positioned and compressed briefly for each image.

MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a non-invasive procedure used to provide images of the body’s internal structures. MRI uses a magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to generate clear, exceptionally detailed “pictures” of the area of interest, without using radiation. It is a painless procedure. 

PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography, which is a type of nuclear medicine imaging. There are many uses for PET scans, but the most common are to stage, diagnose and determine the effectiveness of cancer treatments. PET can also be used to image the brain to identify abnormalities such as seizures, tumors, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. PET/CT uses the same machine to combine a nuclear medicine PET scan with a traditional CT (CAT) scan.

Ultrasound imaging, also called sonography, is a medical diagnostic procedure that uses sound waves to produce an image. Since it uses sound waves and not ionizing radiation (X-rays) to obtain images of the internal organs and vessels, it is deemed safer for use in evaluating pregnant women and patients of all ages. Ultrasound is a painless test used to evaluate organs and tissues in the body to diagnose various conditions and damage that may be caused by an illness.