Department Contact information: 618-433-2177 ext. 1396

DIAGNOSTIC X-RAY: is a test that is used to diagnose injuries of the skeletal system. An x-ray sends through the body, which are transferred onto a digital film. These films are used by the physician to diagnose any injuries. Sparta Community Hospital uses the most modern digital fluoroscopy machines available.

ULTRASOUND: is a test that uses sound waves to develop images of your internal organs. These sound waves are at frequency that is undetectable by the human ear. A devise called a transducer is used to direct the sound waves into your body. The transducer then reads those sound waves that are bounced back by your organs to create an image. These images are then used to create a “Picture” of your internal organs. The “Picture” is in real time and moves along with your internal organs. These examinations are pain free and current evidence shows no health risk from the sound waves that enter the body during this exam. Sparta Community Hospital uses two top of the line GE ultrasound units.

MAMMOGRAPHY: works much like an x-ray using very low doses of radiation to create an x-ray film of the breast. Mammography is primarily used for the early detection of cancer and other abnormalities of the breast in both men and women. Sparta Community Hospital performs mammograms in a pleasant private room in the hospital to provide patients with a comfortable and relaxing experience. Please call the radiology department scheduling office to arrange for your exam. The Sparta Community Hospital is accredited by the American College of Radiology and all technologists are registered Mammography technologists.

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY: Sparta Community Hospital offers this procedure with a Toshiba Asteon CT Scanner. This scanner uses the most advanced technology in electronics and computer science to produce an x-ray like image of a thin cross sectional slice of the any part of the body. This procedure allows radiologists and physicians to see inside the human body, slice by slice, to accurately assess the condition of a patient. The CT scan is a safe and fast non-invasive procedure. The CT Scan can be used in place of some types of exploratory surgery. The Development of the CT scan is recognized as one of the most important contributions to medicine during the 20th century because of its ability to accurately view the inside of the human body without performing invasive surgery.

MOBILE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI): is the latest innovation in diagnostic imaging. A powerful magnetic system is used in conjunction with radio waves to cause hydrogen atoms or other selected elements in the body to give off faint signals. The signals help to form visualization of your internal organs and structures. Since MRI Exams are ‘non invasive’ there are none of the dangers associated with surgery and the exams are completely painless. MRI images typically are of fine clarity and detail, helping your physician in his or her diagnosis of potential problem areas.

NUCLEAR MEDICINE: involves the use of radioactive materials to help diagnose and treat a wide variety of diseases and disorders. The patient is given a radiopharmaceutical, which travels through the body, giving off gamma rays (invisible radiation). The nuclear medicine camera detects the gamma rays and creates pictures of the part of the body being studied. Fast and painless procedure, which eliminates the need for some exploratory surgery and is recognized as one of the most important contributions to medicine in this century due to its diagnostic precision and accuracy. Sparta Community Hospital also offers Cardiac Scoring, Virtual Colonoscopy and Bone density scans using our CA unit.

Department Contact information: 618-433-2177 ext. 1396