Department of Imaging Services at Western
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During your initial consultation at CTCA at Western Regional Medical Center (Western), your oncologist or intake physician may refer you to the Department of Imaging Services for diagnostic testing in order to determine the exact location and stage of the disease.
If you decide to pursue treatment at Western, imaging tests ultimately help determine which cancer treatments are best suited to you. If you’ve recently undergone imaging studies, your doctor may decide that a minimal number of tests are needed.
Located on the first floor of the hospital, Imaging Services borders the surgical oncology suite on one side and the complementary medicine department offices on another.
The imaging team works closely with other departments at Western, particularly the Department of Radiation Oncology, to ensure that your care is seamlessly integrated.
For example, your medical oncologist will order certain imaging tests periodically so that he or she can keep track of your progress and determine which cancer treatments are best suited to your unique needs. In some cases, your radiation or surgical oncologist may suggest imaging tests in addition to those requested by your medical oncologist.
How Imaging Services is Different
At CTCA, we understand that waiting for test results can be stressful. We want your experience here to be as relaxing as possible. Unlike many hospital imaging departments in the country, Imaging Services at Western boasts speedy turnaround times for test results— usually a few hours or less.
Imaging Services at Western is also the first CTCA imaging department to function in an entirely electronic format, meaning that it is paperless and filmless. In order to ensure accuracy, doctors at Western use a voice recognition system, called PowerScribe Workstation®, to dictate and edit findings of imaging studies.
Meet the Team
The Department of Imaging Services at Western consists of a talented team devoted to delivering the Mother Standard® of care in everything they do. The team works together to ensure that imaging tests are performed with the highest degree of quality and accuracy, and that results are delivered in a timely manner.
With over 20 years of experience in healthcare management, Patricia O’Driscoll oversees the department. O’Driscoll came to CTCA from the University of Pittsburgh Physicians Radiology Division, where she served as the Assistant Division Administrator.
O’Driscoll’s team includes interventional radiology technologists who perform procedures in conjunction with the interventional radiologist and imaging nurse. They also perform diagnostic imaging exams, such as chest and bone X-rays.
Other important team members, technologists, work with specific imaging modalities to ensure patient safety and quality results. For example, the CT scan technologist performs diagnostic CT scans, interventional procedures, and diagnostic imaging exams. Other technologists specialize in PET (Positron Emission Tomography), nuclear medicine, and MRI technologies.
The team’s mammographer performs screening and diagnostic mammograms, needle localization procedures, and ductography. The sonographer performs general, vascular, cardiac, and interventional ultrasound procedures.
An imaging registered nurse oversees patients undergoing both imaging and interventional radiology procedures. Meanwhile, a coordinator oversees the radiology information system and the PACS electronic imaging system.
During your testing, the imaging team will do whatever they can to ensure your comfort. Our technologists and nurses will help make you as comfortable as possible, and offer suggestions for how to stay calm should you experience any nervousness or claustrophobia. If you prefer, they will also call a member of Western’s Mind-Body Medicine Department, who will take you through relaxation exercises such as guided imagery and deep breathing.
Technology and Tools
At Western, we provide diagnostic imaging exams both within the Department of Imaging Services and at your bedside, depending on the tests ordered. Both our diagnostic unit and our portable X-ray unit provide digital images that are available for your review immediately following exposure. This is one way in which we seek to minimize your stress level during your stay with us.
The following are some of the tools and technologies Imaging Services provides:
Common Imaging Tools & Technologies
- Echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound)
- Interventional and Diagnostic Multi-Detector Computed Tomography
- Intra-operative Ultrasound
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Angiography
- Nuclear Medicine
- PET/CT Imaging
- Ultrasound (vascular and general)
- X-Ray /Diagnostic Radiography
Interventional Radiology (IR):
Interventional Radiology is a subspecialty of radiology in which minimally invasive procedures are performed using imaging guidance. Tiny instruments, such as catheters or needles, are typically used for such procedures. Due to the non-invasive nature of these studies, they are performed on an outpatient basis or a short-term hospital stay.
Western’s IR Suite has the ability to produce CT/3D images.. This provides highly accurate information for the interventional radiologist during a procedure so that your oncologist can then develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. In addition, Imaging Services boasts the latest tilting table available, which makes even the most challenging procedures safer and more efficient.
Below is a list of our most common interventional procedures:
- Chemoembolization
- RadioFrequency Ablation – Liver, Lung, Bone and Renal
- Microwave Ablation - Liver
- Therasphere®
Some additional interventional procedures offered by Imaging Services include arteriography, embolization, kyphoplasty, venography, and vertebroplasty.
Mammography and Breast Imaging:
If you are fighting breast cancer, Imaging Services offers the latest equipment specifically for breast imaging, such as the CADstream application, which enhances analysis and treatment planning. The imaging team also uses the Suros ATEC Sapphire™ breast biopsy console, which allows for minimally invasive tissue excision.
In addition, Western’s state-of-the-art Mammography Suite allows you to have all necessary breast imaging tests completed without ever having to leave the suite. For example, if your doctor orders a breast ultrasound after a mammogram, you can go directly to the adjoining ultrasound suite for the exam. This lends a sense of privacy not found in many mammography suites across the country.
Following completion of all breast exams, your radiologist sees you in an adjoining consult room where the images are reviewed. Your physician then provides final results directly to you prior to your departure.
The following is a list of some of the diagnostic tools Imaging Services provides for breast cancer:
- Breast Ductography
- Breast Needle Localization
- Digital Mammography
- CAD (computer aided detection)
- MRI Breast Imaging
- MR-guided Breast Core Biopsy
Quality of Life
We understand that imaging tests may make you feel anxious and, sometimes, claustrophobic. Our complementary medicine departments can offer solutions to help relieve your stress and reduce your discomfort. You may find it helpful to consult a member of the pain management, mind-body medicine, or spiritual support teams for support during this time.
Follow-up Care
At Western, we fight cancer with the goal of eradicating it completely, and helping to prevent its recurrence so you can enjoy life as a survivor. After you complete treatment at Western, you will routinely travel back for follow-up appointments to ensure your health status.
As part of our After Care Program, you will receive an array of tests over the course of a few days, even if you are not experiencing any symptoms. Many patients describe these follow-up appointments as a “homecoming” because it is an opportunity to reunite with their care team.
