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Radiology Center of Fair Lawn performs the following services. Click to find out more about a particular study—including how to prepare for an exam and what to expect during a procedure.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
PET Scan
Computerized Axial Tomography (CT or CAT scan)
Dental CT Scan
Ultrasound
X-ray/Fluoroscopy
Bone Densitometry (DEXA scan)


Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

What It Is: A study that creates high-resolution images of the brain, spine, bones, joints, arteries and internal organs using a magnetic field and radio waves instead of x-rays

Why Your Doctor May Request It
  • To evaluate for a previous or recent stroke
  • To diagnose disease of the spine, joints and bones
  • To assess disease of the abdominal and pelvic organs—including the liver, kidneys, uterus and ovaries
  • To evaluate arteries and veins for blockages, aneurysms and other abnormalities
Preparing for an Exam
  • The patient CANNOT have a pacemaker or other ferromagnetic implant.
  • The patient should wear loose clothing with no zippers or other metal attachments.
  • The patient must remove any clothing containing metal and should NOT wear any metal objects (watches, hairpins, etc.).
  • The patient CANNOT have surgery six weeks before the exam.
  • Metal workers will be screened with a skull x-ray.
What to Expect
  • Intravenous contrast may be used to enhance the vessels, organs and soft tissues.
  • The patient lies on a padded table and a technologist places a padded coil over the body part being scanned. The table slides into a cylindrical machine that is open at both ends. The patient is asked to be very still.
  • The technologist views the patient through a window; a two-way sound system allows the patient and technologist to communicate.
  • Because the machine makes a loud noise during the exam, music is provided through earphones. Patients can bring their own CDs, or earplugs can be provided to protect their ears.
  • There is no radiation exposure.
  • The exam takes 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the body part being scanned.
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PET Scan

PET Scan service is coming soon.


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Computerized Axial Tomography (CT or CAT scan)

What It Is: A computer-enhanced x-ray that provides a three-dimensional view of a particular part of the body

Why Your Doctor May Request It
  • To assess acute trauma to the chest, brain, or abdomen
  • To evaluate for lung disease
  • To evaluate kidney stones
  • To determine the cause of abdominal pain—such as infection, bowel obstruction, tumors, and hernias
  • To evaluate sinus disease
Preparing for an Exam
  • For an abdominal study, the patient drinks a flavored barium solution that makes the intestines appear opaque.
  • The patient fasts 3 to 4 hours before the exam. After that, the patient may only drink barium mixture.
  • Blood is tested in advance if the patient is over 70 or has diabetes or kidney problems to assess kidney function.
  • Diabetics who take oral glucophage should stop this medication for 48 hours after the exam.
  • Patients with significant allergies will be pretreated with cortisone.
What to Expect
  • For abdominal and chest studies, intravenous (IV) contrast is administered to highlight internal structures. The contrast may make the patient feel warm for a short period time.
  • The patient wears a hospital gown and lies on a padded table that moves through a donut-shaped opening in the machine.
  • A radiologist reviews the images before the patient leaves to determine whether extra images are needed.
  • After the exam, the patient is encouraged to drink fluids to flush out the barium or IV contrast.
  • The exam can take up to 30 minutes.
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Dental CT Scan

What It Is: A pre-surgical planning tool for dental implants

Why Your Doctor May Request It
  • To enable precise implant planning
  • To create 3-D models of the mouth for precise implant planning
  • To create surgical templates for individual dental treatment plans
Preparing for an Exam: No specific preparation is necessary.

What to Expect
  • The patient lies on a padded table that moves through a donut-shaped opening in the machine.
  • Images are processed by a computer and sent to the patient's oral surgeon.
  • The exam takes about 15 minutes.
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Ultrasound

What It Is: A method of obtaining images of internal organs and vessels using high frequency sound waves

Why Your Doctor May Request It
    ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND:
  • To evaluate abdominal organs—especially the liver, gall bladder and kidneys
  • To assess diseases of the veins and arteries

    PELVIC ULTRASOUND:
  • To monitor the development of a fetus in utero
  • To assess abnormalities of the uterus and ovaries

    SALINE SONOHYSTEROGRAM:
  • To evaluate for endometrial disease
  • To evaluate for fibroids close to the endometrium
Preparing for an Exam
    ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND:
  • The patient fasts for up to six hours before the exam.

    PELVIC ULTRASOUND:
  • The study is performed with a full bladder (the patient drinks 40 ounces of fluid one to 1.5 hours before the exam).

    SALINE SONOHYSTEROGRAM:
  • The patient empties her bladder before the exam.
What to Expect
    ABDOMINAL OR PELVIC ULTRASOUND:
  • The patient wears a gown and lies on padded table.
  • The technologist applies a small amount of gel to the area of the body to be scanned. Then the technologist moves a device called a transducer across the area while applying mild pressure.
  • Images can be viewed on a monitor and recorded on either paper or film.
  • Pelvic ultrasound on women also includes a transvaginal exam, in which a covered probe is inserted into the vagina to provide a closer view of the uterus and ovaries.
  • The exam may take 30 minutes to an hour.

    SALINE SONOHYSTEROGRAM:
  • The patient wears gown and lies on padded table with her feet in stirrups.
  • Similar to a gynecologic exam, the radiologist inserts a speculum. A small sterile tube is inserted into the cervix. The speculum is removed and a vaginal probe is inserted. Then saline is injected through the tube into the endometrium while the radiologist observes images on a monitor.
  • Minimal cramping and vaginal spotting may occur, as one might expect from a period.
  • The exam takes 45 to 60 minutes.
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X-ray/Fluoroscopy

Abdominal X-ray
Bone X-ray
Chest X-ray
Arthrogram
Barium Study
Hysterosalpingogram


Abdominal X-ray

Why Your Doctor May Request It: To evaluate for kidney or gall stones or intestinal obstruction

Preparing for an Exam: No advance preparation is necessary.

What to Expect
  • The patient may stand, sit or lie down, depending on the clinical condition and the body part being imaged.
  • The exam takes about 20 minutes.
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Bone X-ray

Why Your Doctor May Request It: To evaluate for broken bones or arthritis

Preparing for an Exam: No advance preparation is necessary.

What to Expect
  • The patient may stand, sit or lie down, depending on clinical condition and the body part being imaged.
  • The exam takes about 20 minutes.
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Chest X-ray

Why Your Doctor May Request It: To evaluate for heart and lung disease

Preparing for an Exam: No advance preparation is necessary.

What to Expect
  • The patient may stand, sit or lie down, depending on clinical condition and the body part being imaged.
  • The exam takes about 20 minutes.
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Arthrogram

What It Is: A "real-time" (moving) image that is enhanced with injected contrast

Why Your Doctor May Request It
  • To evaluate for tendon and ligament injuries
  • May be performed in conjunction with an MRI exam
Preparing for an Exam: No advance preparation is necessary.

What to Expect
  • The patient wears a gown and lies on padded table with the joint undergoing evaluation exposed.
  • This is a sterile procedure. The radiologist cleans the area and numbs the skin.
  • A needle is inserted into the joint and contrast is injected. Then x-ray or MRI images are taken.
  • The exam takes 45 minutes to an hour.
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Barium Study

What It Is: A "real-time" (moving) image that is enhanced with a barium suspension

Why Your Doctor May Request It: To evaluate for ulcers, inflammatory disease, obstruction and masses of the esophagus, stomach and intestines

Preparing for an Exam
    ESOPHAGRAM, UPPER GI SERIES, OR SMALL BOWEL SERIES:
  • The patient should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the exam.

    BARIUM ENEMA:
  • The patient follows a liquid diet the day before the exam (eight 8-oz glasses of water, fruit juice, coffee, tea, clear soup, or jello)
  • At 6 p.m. on the evening before the study, the patient cleanses bowel using one of the following methods:
    1) Take Golytely (available through prescription) as directed on bottle. One hour later, take 2 Ducolax tablets (available over the counter).
    OR
    2) Drink one bottle of Citrate of Magnesia (available over the counter).
  • No solids or liquids after midnight.
What to Expect
    ESOPHAGRAM, Upper GI series, or Small bowel series:
  • The patient drinks barium contrast (and sometimes an additional carbonated liquid).
  • The patient may lie down, sit up or move about as directed during the exam.
  • The radiologist uses a fluoroscope to observe the barium moving through the patient's digestive system.
  • X-rays are taken during the exam.
  • After the study, the patient is encouraged to drink liquids to flush the contrast from the system.
  • An esophagram or upper GI series can take 45 minutes to an hour. A small bowel series can take up to three hours.

    BARIUM ENEMA
  • The patient lies on padded table.
  • Barium contrast is administered rectally.
  • The radiologist observes the contrast as it moves through the patient's colon.
  • Images are taken during the exam.
  • The exam takes 45 minutes to an hour.
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Hysterosalpingogram

What It Is: A "real-time" (moving) image that is enhanced with injected contrast

Why Your Doctor May Request It: To examine the endometrium and fallopian tubes for evaluation of infertility (primarily in young women)

Preparing for an Exam: The patient takes her usual medication for menstrual cramps one hour before the procedure.

What to Expect
  • The patient wears gown and lies on padded table with her feet in stirrups.
  • The radiologist inserts a speculum, similar to a gynecologic exam.
  • A small sterile tube is inserted into the cervix, and a small amount of contrast is injected through the tube into the endometrium.
  • The fluoroscope is positioned and x-rays are taken.
  • During the procedure, minimal cramping may occur, as one might expect from a menstrual period.
  • The exam takes about 30 minutes.
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Bone Densitometry (DEXA scan)

What It Is: A computerized x-ray that determines bone mineral density, particularly in post-menopausal women, by scanning the lumbar spine and hip

Why Your Doctor May Request It
  • To evaluate for osteoporosis and osteopenia
  • To assess the risk of developing fractures
  • To provide an overall picture of bone health
  • To prescribe medical and exercise therapy to promote increased mineralization and to slow down further demineralization
Preparing for an Exam
  • No calcium supplements (pills) on the day of exam.
  • The patient should avoid wearing clothing with buttons, snaps, or zippers from the waist when coming for an exam. Wearing pants with an elastic waistband will allow the patient to remain fully clothed during the study.
  • If the patient has had any x-rays using contrast such as barium, or any nuclear medicine studies, please wait one week before having a DEXA scan.
What to Expect
  • The patient lies on a padded table, fully clothed, while a machine moves back and forth above the hip and abdominal region.
  • The exam exposes the patient to a very low-dose x-ray and takes about 20 minutes.
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