Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a very powerful magnet and radio-frequency pulses to collect signals that are then processed by a computer to form a picture of the body part being studied. Images line up like slices from a loaf of bread. MRI gives a detailed picture of the soft tissues of the body e.g. muscles, ligaments, brain tissue, discs and blood vessels.
An x-ray (radiograph) is a special image that uses radiation to create pictures of bones and other internal tissues such as your lungs and bowel.
A CT (Computed Tomography) scan is a special type of X-ray using a scanner and computer equipment to take pictures of the brain or spine. It differs from a standard X-ray as it produces pictures of cross-sections of the brain or spine.
Nuclear Medicine is the branch of medical imaging that uses special radio-active materials (radiotracers) to enable doctors to diagnose various conditions.
PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography. PET is used to help the diagnosis and management of many diseases. These include cancer, epilepsy and heart disease.
Using a form of radioactive glucose (sugar), we are able to see how the cells in your body are functioning.
This outpatient procedure is a diagnostic examination of the spine. A special x-ray-sensitive contrast dye is injected to illuminate the spine, allowing identification of problems of the spine, spinal cord and nerve roots.
Discography, also called discogram, is a diagnostic procedure used to determine if back pain is caused by one or more discs. The procedure involves pressurizing discs with an injection of sterile liquid to induce pain in the affected discs. Discography helps the specialist plan a course of treatment.
