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Home » Specialties & Services » Diagnostic Imaging Center

Diagnostic Imaging Center

Methodist Medical Center is committed to the most advanced patient care. Our Diagnostic Center blends the highest standard of treatment with the latest in radiological technology.

We diagnose a variety of health conditions with all-new, state-of-the-art equipment. Imaging services include standard X-rays as well as:  

MRI

With our state-of-the-art MRI scanners, we offer various types of vascular, chest, advanced brain and abdominal imaging. Because magnetic resonance imaging - or MRI - can give such clear pictures, it is the most sensitive exam for many problems.

For instance, MRI often is used to diagnose sports injuries. Doctors can see the tiniest tears and injuries to ligaments and muscles.

Methodist Medical Center's MRI department has six technologists on staff who are registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology and have passed their registry boards in both Radiology and MRI. Since opening our first MRI in 1986, Methodist has performed more than 75,000 MRI scans.

Precise pix
MRI pictures are amazingly clear and detailed. The technique - based on radiofrequency waves and a strong magnetic field rather than X-rays - helps identify cancer, heart and vascular disease, stroke, joint and musculoskeletal problems and other disorders.

Because there's no radiation exposure to the patient, MRI has become popular as an alternative diagnostic tool.

 

Ultrasound

Our ultrasound units provide the latest in scanning capabilities. With this technology, doctors can see images of internal organs as they function and also can assess blood flow.

Doctors at Methodist Medical Center use ultrasound for heart patients, women's health services, and to obtain images of the abdomen and blood vessels.

The ultrasound for heart patients can perform stress echo tests. Doctors rely on these tests to detect decreases in the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart, as well as irregular heartbeats.

Benefits of ultrasound include more comprehensive and reliable exam data, faster tests and improved patient comfort.

 

Digital Radiography

Diagnostic x-rays can be performed on digital equipment, which means an image is immediately available for viewing by technologists as they do an exam.

This technology eliminates the time needed to process x-rays, which means faster exams and less waiting for the patients.

 

Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy is a technique for obtaining "live" X-ray images of a patient. A dye that shows up on X-rays can be injected or swallowed, and outlines blood vessels or organs as it moves through the body. The physician then sees images from inside the body on a TV monitor.

Fluoroscopy is often used to see the digestive tract. It also can help doctors locate a foreign object in the body, position a catheter or needle for a procedure, or set a broken bone.

 

EKG

An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) records the heart's electrical activity and can warn of problems.

If there's poor blood flow, an EKG may show abnormalities - especially during exercise. These often don't appear on an EKG taken during rest.

An exercise EKG - a stress or treadmill test - is often better at signaling coronary artery disease. Exercise EKGs show how the heart responds to physical activity.

 

Picture Archival & Communication System

This technology allows images to be electronically captured, stored and transmitted - all without film. Methodist Medical Center was the first hospital in the greater Knoxville area to install the PACS system.

PACS makes high-quality MRI, CT, X-ray and ultrasound pictures immediately available by computer. Doctors can readily view any images the patient has had taken at Methodist Medical Center and other locations in the Covenant Health system.

Patients no longer need to carry X-rays from place to place. In addition, PACS gives such clear images that doctors believe it results in a better, more accurate diagnosis.

 

Outpatient Laboratory Services

Methodist Diagnostic Center performs all lab tests for outpatients at the hospital. Exceptions include: glucose, lactose, and D-Xclose tolerance tests; special blood clotting tests, and stat tests, which must be performed immediately to diagnose bladder cancer.

 

Imaging team

Our board-certified radiologists work with technologists who specialize in X-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound procedures. Radiologists are doctors who interpret medical images to diagnose injuries or diseases.