Radiology & Imaging
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We are pleased to announce the opening of the much-anticipated Imaging Center at Eden Medical Center! The new center brings many of our imaging services together in one convenient location, improving access and privacy for patients and expanding diagnostic capabilities to create the most comprehensive and advanced imaging center in the East Bay.
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MRI |
Mammography |
Doppler Ultrasound |
Fluoroscopy |
CT Scan of the Body |
Bone Densitometry |
Referrals and Scheduling |
Preparing for Your Appointment |
Our Team |
Find Us |
Other Radiology Services |
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MRI
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MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to provide pictures of organs and structures inside the body. In many cases, MRI provides information that cannot be obtained from X-ray, ultrasound or CT scans.
For an MRI test, the area of the body being studied is positioned inside a strong magnetic field. The MRI can detect changes in the normal structure and characteristics of organs or other tissues. These changes may indicate disease caused by trauma, infection, inflammation or tumors. Information from an MRI scan can be saved and stored in a computer for further study. Photographs or films of selected views can also be made.
MRI is used to detect problems of the head and brain, chest (including the heart), blood vessels, abdomen, bones, joints and spine.
For more information about MRI tests, including how to prepare and what to expect during the test, click here.
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Mammography
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Mammography is an X-ray test of the breasts that is used to diagnose breast cancer. The resulting X-ray picture is called a mammogram.
A mammogram is done to help screen or diagnose breast cancer. Many small tumors can be seen on a mammogram before a woman or her doctor can feel them. Cancer is most easily treated and cured when it is discovered in an early stage.
Many organizations, such as the American Cancer Society and the American College of Radiologists, recommend mammograms every year for women between the ages of 40 and 49. Others, such as the National Cancer Institute, recommend mammograms every 1 to 2 years. Women in this age group should discuss the medical evidence concerning mammograms with their doctors when deciding how often to have a mammogram. Doctors recommend that mammography be combined with clinical breast examinations done by a health professional.
For more information about mammography tests, including how to prepare and what to expect during the test, click here.
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Doppler Ultrasound
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A Doppler ultrasound test uses reflected sound waves to evaluate blood as it flows through a blood vessel. It helps doctors evaluate blood flow through the major arteries and veins of the arms, legs and neck. It can show blocked or reduced blood flow in the arteries of the neck that could cause a stroke. It can also reveal blood clots in leg veins that could break loose and block blood flow to the lungs.
During a Doppler ultrasound, a handheld instrument called a transducer is passed lightly over the skin above a blood vessel. The transducer sends and receives sound waves that are amplified through a microphone. The sound waves bounce off of sold objects, including blood cells. The movement of blood cells causes a change in pitch of the reflected sound waves (called the Doppler effect). If there is no blood flow, the pitch does not change. Information from the reflected sound waves can be processed by a computer to provide graphs or pictures that represent the flow of blood through the blood vessels. These graphs or pictures can be saved later for future review and evaluation.
For more information about ultrasounds, including how to prepare and what to expect during the test, click here.
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Fluoroscopy
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Fluoroscopy uses continuous beams 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. It also can be used to help a health professional locate a foreign object in the body, position a catheter or needle for a procedure or realign a broken bone.
Fluoroscopy can deliver more radiation than conventional X-rays. A dye, or contrast material, that shows up on X-rays can be injected or swallowed during fluoroscopy to outline blood vessels or organs.
Fluoroscopy is usually done during other diagnostic procedures. For example, fluoroscopy is done during cardiac catheterization to evaluate the condition of the coronary arteries and the flow of blood through them. Fluoroscopy can also be used to evaluate the condition of the urinary tract or the digestive tract.
For more information about fluoroscopy tests, including how to prepare and what to expect during the test, click here.
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CT Scan of the Body
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A computed tomography (CT) scan is a special type of X-ray that can produce detailed pictures of structures inside the body. A CT scan is also called a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.
A CT scanner directs a series of X-rays through the body that are analyzed by a computer to produce a detailed picture of a “slice” of an organ or area being studied. Each X-ray pulse lasts only a fraction of a second, and it only takes a few seconds for the machine to record each slice. A CT scan produces clearer pictures of internal organs than regular X-rays do. Information from a CT scan can be saved and stored on a computer for further study. Photographs of selected views can also be made.
During a CT scan of the body, the area being studied is positioned inside a cylinder that is part of the CT scanner. The cylinder can tilt and the X-ray scanning devices within it can rotate to obtain the views needed. CT scanning can be used to obtain information about almost any body organ, blood vessels, the abdominal cavity, bones and the spinal cord.
For more information about CT scans, including how to prepare and what to expect during the appointment, click here: click here.
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Bone Densitometry
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Eden Medical Center’s densitometry machine scans patients’ bones and measures calcium content (density), mainly of the spine and hip. The bone densitometry services offered by Eden are comprehensive, measuring central and peripheral bone density. We are firmly committed to finding new and more effective ways to help our physicians diagnose osteoporosis and assess fracture risk.
What is Bone Densitometry or Bone Mineral Density Testing?
Minerals, such as calcium, are constantly being added to and taken away from bone each day. When minerals are taken away faster than they are added, the bones become lighter, less dense and more porous. This makes the bones weaker and increases their risk of fracture.
A bone mineral density (BMD) test measures the quantity of calcium in a region of the bones. Once a patient completes this test, the doctor and patient will have clear information of the strength of their bones.
Bones naturally become thinner as you grow older, because existing bone breaks down faster than new bone is made. As this occurs, the bones lose minerals, again such as calcium, heaviness (mass) and structure, making them weaker. With further bone loss, a patient develops osteoporosis. Although osteoporosis can occur in men, it is most common in women who have gone through menopause.
Ordinary X-rays cannot detect mild bone loss. A bone must lose at least a quarter of its weight before a standard X-ray can detect the problem.
Bone density measurements can be done on several bones in the body. Controversy exists over which bones are best to use for BMD measurements. The bones most commonly used are those in the lower spine and hip. These bones generally have the greatest amount of bone loss and are at the highest risk of fracture. In special cases, bones in the wrist may be used for BMD measurements.
What Techniques Can Be Used to Measure BMD?
Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). DEXA uses two different X-ray beams. The amount of each X-ray beam blocked by bone and soft tissue are compared to estimate the bone density. DEXA is the most accurate method for measuring BMD. It is fast and uses very low doses of radiation, 1/10th the radiation of a typical chest x-ray. DEXA measures BMD on bones of the spine and hip. Under good conditions, DEXA can measure as little as 2 percent of bone loss per year. Peripheral DEXA (P-DEXA) is a modification of the DEXA technique. It measures bone density in outlying, or peripheral, areas of the body, such as the wrist, and can be done by Eden’s machine. The disadvantages of P-DEXA include an inability to measure density of the bones most likely to fracture, such as the hip and spine, because of osteoporosis, and its limited usefulness for monitoring the effect of medication used to treat osteoporosis.
If bone density is lower than normal, action can be taken to increase bone strength and reduce the risk of fracture. Some ways to increase bone density and strength include taking calcium and vitamin D supplements, doing weight-bearing exercise such as walking, weight training and certain FDA approved medications such as Bisphosphonates.
For more information about bone densitometry tests, including how to prepare and what to expect during the appointment, click here: click here.
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Referrals and Scheduling
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The Imaging Center is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Center is located on the ground floor, at the West Entrance. Convenient parking is located just yards from the West Entrance, at the rear of the hospital.
To schedule your appointment, call (510) 889-5020.
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to their appointment and remember to bring your health care insurance card and doctor’s orders or referral sheet.
For other radiology services, please visit our Radiology Department on the first floor or call (510) 889-5052.
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Preparing for Your Appointment
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Mammography Patient Guidelines
Your mammogram should be scheduled after your period if you are still menstruating.
After bathing on the day of your exam, please do not use powder, cream, antiperspirant or deodorant under your arms or around the breast area.
Dress in a two-piece outfit. You will be asked to remove only the top piece.
Bring your prior mammography films and reports if you are new to our Center.
During the mammogram, your breast is compressed between two pieces of plastic while a low-dose x-ray is taken. It is a simple procedure that takes just 10 minutes. Results are mailed to you and to your referring physician within 5-7 business days.
As a safety precaution, please do not bring children with you for an appointment unless you have another adult to take care of them.
MRI Patient Guidelines
Leave valuables at home. Try to avoid wearing a watch or clothing with metal. If you cannot wear clothes without metal, you will need to change into a gown for your exam. Also remove any body piercing(s) before your appointment.
You may take any of your normal medication, and also eat and drink as usual.
Patients with pacemakers cannot be scanned.
Inform us if you have worked in welding, grinding or metal works. If so, x-rays must be performed before your procedure to check for metal fragments. You must arrive earlier so that these can be done before your scheduled exam. This is done for your safety.
Nuclear Medicine Patient Guidelines
Wear loose, comfortable clothing for your scan. You will be able to wear your clothes during the scan, but will be asked to empty pockets and remove any heavy objects (like belts or necklaces) that could interfere with the test. If possible, please leave these objects at home.
The imaging agent you receive does not cause any side effects. You should be able to do all of your normal activities following completion of the study.
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Our Team
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Your health care team at the Imaging Center includes MRI, mammography, nuclear medicine, and ultrasound technologists.
The radiologists on staff are members of Bay Imaging Consultants:
Royce Chrys, M.D.
Mark Goldsmith, M.D.
Anthony Laglia, M.D.
Keyvan Nouri, M.D.
Director of Radiology:
Ginny Carpenter, BSRT,(R)(CRT)
(510) 889-5052
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Find Us
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Eden Medical Center is located at 20103 Lake Chabot Road in Castro Valley. The Imaging Center is located at the West Entrance of the hospital. Upon arriving on our campus, follow the signs to the West Entrance and park in the designated spaces adjacent to the entrance.
The Imaging Center is located on the ground floor just yards from the West Entrance. Registration is performed within the Imaging Center at the time of the exam.
The Radiology Department, for x-ray and other radiology procedures and to pick up and drop off films, is located on the first floor, near the Emergency Entrance.
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Other Radiology Services
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Eden Medical Center offers an array of radiology services, including traditional x-ray services for inpatients and outpatients. The Radiology Department is located on the first floor of the hospital, near the Emergency Entrance. For details, call (510) 889-5052.
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