Bustleton Radiology is committed to offering leading edge outpatient imaging services, including general x-ray, open MRI, CT, mammography, ultrasound, noninvasive vascular imaging, bone densitometry and nuclear medicine. We take pride in having advanced computerized diagnostic imaging equipment.
X-Ray
General x-ray is a simple and painless procedure. X-rays allow our radiologists to analyze the bony and soft tissue anatomy. They relay the results of their diagnosis to your doctor so that immediate treatment can be offered. Besides enabling physicians to look at bones and joints, x-rays are also used for evaluating the chest, lungs, stomach, and intestines.
Our computerized x-ray equipment is maintained to the highest standards of quality control and assurance. Our staff of licensed and certified x-ray technologists are formally trained in customer service so that they can care for patients, as well as for their special needs.
Open MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Open MRI gives patients a quiet, comfortable, non-confining and painless exam in order to diagnose a variety of medical conditions. The MRI exams have no known side effects and are free of radiation. With the open MRI, most of the patient’s body remains outside the machine, eliminating the claustrophobic feeling that can result from a closed, tunnel-like MRI. MRI combines a powerful magnet with an advanced computer system and radio waves to produce precise and detailed images of what is going on inside the body. The results are used to help physicians make an accurate diagnosis and assist in treatment planning.
The MRI provides detailed images of organs and tissues from any angle. It can detect most malignancies and neurological diseases of the brain, spine and pelvis. The MRI is used to diagnose injuries of the shoulder, hip, elbow, wrist and fingers. These injuries are commonly associated with sports, automobile accidents, occupational and household accidents and weather related falls.
The certified staff at Bustleton Radiology take every care to make the test an easy calm and unhurried experience for each patient.
Open MRI tests are done on most parts of the body including:
Our open MRI is fully accredited by the American College of Radiology.
To ensure the highest quality MRI interpretation, a board certified neuroradiologist, reads our brain and spine MRI’s.
Preparing for an MRI
Your comfort is our utmost concern, so by all means dress comfortably. A track suit or sweat pants and a loose shirt are ideal. Be sure to leave all metal objects at home, including your watch, rings and other jewelry. You will be asked to remove anything that might interfere with the MRI images such as hair pins, eyeglasses, hearing aids and any removable dental work.
Because of the strong magnetic field used for MRI, our staff will ask whether you have a prosthetic hip, heart pacemaker, implanted port, intrauterine device or any metal plates, pins, screws or surgical staples in your body. Tattoos and permanent eyeliner may also create a problem. It is important that the radiologist and technician know so that if there is a distortion of images they will be aware of possible reasons. If you have a pacemaker, aneurysm clips, or other devices, you should not have an MRI, and alternative imaging should be discussed.
CT Scan (Computed Tomography Scan)
The CT Scan is a sophisticated multidetector imaging technique that shows different areas of the anatomy with great precision. During CT imaging, the x-ray source rotates around the patient producing a single cross-section image. These cross-sectional images are extremely detailed and are analyzed and interpreted by the radiologist. There is no pain associated with the CT scan examination.
CT scans are used to diagnose many conditions. CT is used in cancer detection of abnormal masses, showing precise size, shape, and location of the tumor. CT scans can also provide valuable information in the detection of abscesses, strokes and head injuries. High resolution CT imaging of the lungs is the imaging modality of choice for the evaluation of pulmonary interstitial disease. It is a complementary imaging modality with MRI in evaluating disc disease as well.
Bustleton Radiology has a multidetector CT Scanner that performs the highest resolution whole body imaging (24 line pairs/cm). The scanner has the ability to scan at a razor-thin slice thickness of 0.5mm with high spatial resolution. Our CT scanner can accommodate patients weighing as much as 500 pounds and can post process CT images into sophisticated 3D reconstructions. Our CT technologists are subspecialty certified in CT and they receive annual training in CPR as well.
For CT studies that require intravenous contrast, we administer nonionic contrast exclusively. Nonionic contrast has far fewer side effects than the traditional ionic contrast and it is better tolerated by patients. However, intravenous contrast is used judiciously, since there is a slight risk for a serious complication.
Preparing for a CT
You should wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing for your CT exam. Metal objects can affect the image, so avoid clothing with zippers and snaps. You will be asked to remove jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids and removable dental work depending on the part of the body that is being scanned. You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for one or more hours before the exam. Women should always inform the technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a safe, radiation-free imaging procedure. It uses echoes of sound waves to visualize soft tissue and fluids in the body. It is especially valuable in examining organs in the abdomen and pelvis including liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, bladder, uterus, ovaries and testicles. Ultrasound is also used to assess fetal development, certain breast conditions and the thyroid gland.
Breast ultrasound is used as an adjunct to mammography and physical examination. It can help decide if a biopsy is necessary for suspicious breast lesions. The number of breast biopsies can be reduced by up to 40% with the use of breast ultrasound techniques. We are the only imaging facility in Northeast Philadelphia and among one other in the city of Philadelphia accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) for breast sonograms.
Bustleton Radiology offers the HDI 5000 ATL Ultrasound System. This outstanding detailed imaging system is used in the radiology departments of top hospitals in the country. The HDI 5000 is one of the finest ultrasound system available today. The HDI 5000 was chosen by NASA to perform sophisticated medical diagnostics aboard the space station and to study the effects of zero gravity on blood flow, the heart and internal organs, ligaments and joints.
Doppler evaluation is an ultrasound technique used to capture moving blood images of the heart and large blood vessels. We offer Color Doppler, Power Doppler, and Color Flow Doppler. Doppler Ultrasound is a modality used to evaluate circulation to the brain and extremities.
Bustleton Radiology received a 99.5% score in Ultrasound services re-accreditation by the American College of Radiology in June 2005.
Echocardiography
An echocardiogram uses sound waves to produce images of the heart as it is beating. This test is used to assess the size of the heart and its chamber as well as its thickness, blood flow and valve function.
The test is painless and is similar to an x-ray, however there is no radiation and it is extremely safe. Ultrasound is used to capture pictures of the four heart chambers and the four heart valves. Color Flow Doppler is employed with all echocardiography studies.
Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine offers a variety of techniques for creating images that show the function of the internal organs. This is done by using a “gamma camera” to take pictures of small amounts of radioactive materials that have been introduced into the body. These materials decay rapidly, so the total radiation dose is small. Procedures use minute traces of radioactive materials to perform body functions studies and organ imaging, analyze biologic specimens, and treat disease. It specializes in diagnosing diseases of the thyroid, bone, kidney, liver, gallbladder, heart and brain.
Nuclear medicine studies document organ function and structure. These studies can identify abnormalities early in the progression of a disease. Nuclear medicine at Bustleton Radiology includes whole body bone scans (with or without SPECT), thyroid scans, thyroid uptakes, renal scans, Captopril renal scans, biliary studies, and a host of other Nuclear medicine examinations. Dr. Nalbantian is fellowship training in nuclear medicine and offers expertise in this field.
Certified personnel and technologists are on hand to assist patients and answer any questions they might have. Our continuing education for our staff, assure patients of the best possible radiologic care. Bustleton Radiology has received the highest possible evaluation of Nuclear Medicine by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in an unannounced inspection.
Vascular Imaging
We offer a number of technologies to examine blood flow in the major arteries and veins of the head, arms and legs including MR, CT and Ultrasound.
With the use of Ultrasound and Color Doppler, inaudible sound waves are directed into the body to create a series of images, allowing the size of the blood vessels to be measured. It also can measure the speed and blood flow patterns to determine if there are diseased areas in the vessels. This procedure determines whether there are any blockages in the arteries to the brain or to the arms and legs.
Carotid Imaging (Doppler, CT Angiography, MR Angiography)
The carotid artery which supplies blood to the brain can be evaluated by Doppler Ultrasound, CT Angiography or MR Angiography. These studies can determine if there are blockages to the brain that can cause strokes and other abnormalities of the brain.
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