Radiology

Radiology is a valuable diagnostic tool that can identify internal conditions that aren’t visible to the naked eye. At Catalyst Medical Group, with two office locations in Lewiston, Idaho, the team of providers offers radiology services like X-rays, MRI's, CT and Dexa scans, Ultrasounds and 4D mamogoraphy.  Thank you for visiting us online. Call the office to schedule an appointment at 208.746.1383 today.

What is radiology?

Radiology is a type of medicine that uses advanced technology to create images of your internal organs. Radiology includes several diagnostic tests, such as:

• X-rays
• MRIs
• CT scans
• DEXA Scans
• Ultrasounds
• 4D Mammograms

Catalyst Medical Group uses radiology services to diagnose injuries and provide wellness screening. In some cases, radiology can be used to guide minimally invasive treatments.

Why would I need an X-ray?

Catalyst Medical Group uses X-rays to diagnose and evaluate health issues. For example, if you injure your ankle, the provider might order an X-ray to confirm if you have a fracture or a sprain. They might also recommend an X-ray if you’ve had a cough for a long time.

What happens during a radiology procedure?

Your experience depends on the type of radiology procedure. For example, if you have an X-ray, a radiology technician positions your body in front of the equipment. The machine sends a low dose of radiation through your body.

Different types of organs block varying amounts of radiation. For example, your bones stop radiation and appear white on the resulting image, while your air-filled lungs don’t block radiation and look black. The image is created by the radiation that passes through your body. 

If you have a mammogram, the process is similar, but your technician positions your breast between two plates to slightly flatten and immobilize the tissue before taking the image.

During an ultrasound, a technician uses a handheld transducer that sends high-frequency sound waves into your body and collects the echoes as the waves bounce off your organs.

Are radiology services safe?

Yes, radiology services are generally safe and well tolerated by most people. They use a tiny amount of radiation to create images of your internal organs. Depending on the type of procedure, it might only involve the equivalent amount of radiation to what you’re exposed to in 10 days of everyday life.

All radiology procedures are subjected to extensive testing before being introduced into medical use to ensure their safety.

If you have questions about or need a particular radiology service, such as an X-ray, DEXA scan, 4D Mammogram, CT Scan or ultrasound, call Catalyst Medical Group at 208.746.1383 to schedule your testing. Thank you for visiting us online.