Cardiac CT Angiography can detect blockages even before symptoms occur.

Cardiac CT Angiography takes pictures of the heart and its arteries to help determine if there are blockages, which — If left untreated — can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain and even heart attack.

Coronary CTA is completely non-invasive and is performed in the new University Imaging offices on the front grounds of St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center. It is made possible by the latest generation of low-radiation-dose CT scanners that produce high-quality images of the coronary arteries within minutes.

In the past, the only way to make similar diagnoses was to perform a cardiac catheterization, an invasive procedure that requires a catheter, or small tube, to be threaded into the coronary arteries. That procedure involved a level of discomfort, more patient recovery time and included a risk of potential complications.

The GE LightSpeed VCT CT Scanner

Coronary CT Angiography (CTA) is performed using the 64-slice CT scanner. This scans the entire heart within five heartbeats and produces 3-D, 360-degree images of the coronary arteries, the place where heart attacks originate. The results are used to evaluate the level of patient risk, and what treatment (if any) is necessary. This image above at left was produced using the GE LightSpeed VCT CT scanner.

People who stand to benefit from Coronary CTAs are those who have no symptoms of heart disease or chest pain but who are in a “high-risk” category. Examples of high-risk categories include people with a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol and hypertension. Patients should always consult their family doctor first before considering whether a Coronary CT angiogram is right for them.

A DEXA Scan, (for Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) or Bone Densitometry, measures mineral content in the bones. It involves an extremely small dose of radiation that determines your bone mineral density. It compares your measurements to a reference population based on your age, weight, sex and ethnic background.

Your physician uses this information to diagnose bone status and risk of fracture. Low bone density is caused by osteoporosis, causing bones to become brittle. Osteoporosis is responsible for 1.5 million fractures in the United States each year. Half of the women over age 50 can expect to suffer an osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime.

If detected, preventive therapy can be prescribed to slow or halt bone loss and, in some cases, reverse it.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, is a painless, diagnostic test that allows radiologists to see inside some areas of the body, which cannot be seen using conventional x-rays. This imaging method produces a series of cross-sectional pictures. Physicians can detect many conditions in earlier stages improving prognosis.

Common areas of the body, which may undergo a MRI scan include the head, chest, abdomen, vital organs, blood vessels, joints, spine, or extremities such as hands, wrists, ankles, and feet.

MRI scanners do not use x-rays. Instead, they use a very strong magnet and radio frequency. It is important to tell the technologist if there is a possibility you could be pregnant. There is no evidence that MRI is unsafe for a developing fetus; however, we are still careful in the use of MRI on pregnant patients. Our staff is trained in MRI safety. Our equipment is maintained according to the American College of Radiology Guidelines.

Certain metallic implants are not safe for MRI. Inform the staff of any surgical implants. Patients with pacemakers or defibrillators cannot have a MRI under any circumstances.

We welcome pediatric patients at our imaging centers. Children requiring conscious sedation, however, are limited to our Paterson location.

Cardiac MRI creates both still and moving pictures of your heart and major blood vessels. It is used to get pictures of the beating heart and to look at its structure and function to determine heart health issues.

Cardiac MRI is a common test. It’s used to diagnose and assess many diseases and conditions, including:

• Coronary heart disease
• Damage caused by a heart attack
• Heart failure
• Heart valve problems
• Congenital (kon-JEN-ih-tal) heart defects (heart defects present at birth)
• Pericarditis (a condition in which the membrane, or sac, around your heart is inflamed)
• Cardiac tumors

The single best method for early detection of breast cancer is an annual mammogram. Now, with the introduction of digital mammography, getting a mammogram is easier and more convenient than ever.

Research indicates that digital mammography is significantly better at detecting breast cancersthan film mammography. That’s why St. Joseph’s offers the finest and most advanced digital mammography services available today.

Digital mammography is much faster for patients, only requiring about seven minutes. And because digital allows us to see scan results immediately, fewer patients have to return for a repeat mammogram. It eliminates time spent processing films and results can be sent immediately via computer to specialists and referring physicians.

Our modern, comfortable facilities are designed to respect your privacy. And our compassionate and knowledgeable technologists will treat you with the consideration and respect you would expect.

MRI of the breast is a supplement for mammography or ultrasound imaging to detect and stage breast cancer and other breast abnormalities. It offers valuable information about many breast conditions that cannot be obtained by other imaging modalities, such as mammography or ultrasound.

MRI imaging of the breast is performed to:

• Identify early breast cancer not detected through other means, especially in women with dense breast tissue and those at high risk for the disease.
• Evaluate abnormalities detected by mammography or ultrasound.
• Assess multiple tumor locations, especially prior to breast conservation surgery.
• Determine whether cancer detected by mammography, ultrasound, or after surgical biopsy has spread further in the breast or into the chest wall.
• Assess the effect of chemotherapy.
• Provide additional information on a diseased breast to make treatment decisions.
• Determine the integrity of breast implants.