Wake Women’s Health has a comprehensive in-house radiology department. Services include computerized x-rays, ultrasound, bone density testing, CT scans, and nuclear medicine.

Bone Density Testing

Bone density scanning, also called dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA) or bone densitometry, is an enhanced form of x-ray technology that is used to measure bone loss. This is a low-dose x-ray and the procedure is painless. DEXA is the established standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD).

Abdominal Ultrasound

An abdominal ultrasound image is a useful way of examining internal organs, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys and bladder. Because ultrasound images are captured in real time, they can show movement of internal tissues and organs and enable physicians to see blood flow. This procedure is used to diagnose a variety of conditions and assess damage caused by illness.

Vascular Ultrasound

Vascular ultrasound combines regular ultrasound with Doppler ultrasonography to examine major blood vessels. The Doppler procedure records sound waves bouncing off moving objects such as blood. These images help the physician see and evaluate blockages to blood flow, buildup of plaque inside the blood vessel, or congenital malformation.

2D Echo

An echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound test that is used to examine the patients’ heart. The device picks up echoes of the sound waves as they bounce off the different parts of the heart. These echoes are turned into moving pictures that can be seen on a video screen and analyzed by the physician.

CT Scan

A CT (computerized tomography) scan, often called a CAT scan, is a painless examination that combines x-rays with computer scans. This procedure gives your physician a detailed image of soft tissue, organs and bones. CT imaging is particularly useful because it can show several types of tissue with great clarity.

Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine refers to the process of using radioactive isotopes to develop images of the inside of the body for the purpose of diagnosing diseases. Imaging scans may be used to analyze blood flow, respiratory function, or identify infections or abnormalities. Nuclear medicine may also be used in the treatment of diseases including some cancers, tumors, and hyperthyroidism.