CPMC Diagnostic Imaging

Persistent headaches that can’t be explained, pain or trauma caused by a fall or accident, or abdominal pain that doesn’t go away all are reasons your physician may send you for a diagnostic imaging exam. With the remarkable ability to see under your skin and into your organs, diagnostic imaging provides answers to medical questions previously only understood through exploratory surgery.

Here are some of the services we provide:

Computed Tomography (CT)

A CT scan is an X-ray-based procedure in which multiple "slices" of data are acquired of the body part being imaged as you lie on a table and are advanced into a donut-shaped machine. CPMC uses ultra-fast, advanced multi-slice CT, enabling the delivery of the lowest possible radiation dose. Common uses of CT include the detection of tumors, infections, internal bleeding and trauma, blood vessel blockages (CT angiogram) and colon cancer (CT colonoscopy).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

MRI uses a strong magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce images of great detail. MRI is used to image many parts of the body, including tissues and organs. Because radiation is not required, MRI may be used in place of CT and other imaging modalities in children and pregnant women.

Ultrasound

Also called sonography, ultrasound uses sound waves instead of radiation to produce images of your organs, blood vessels and other structures within your body. A small amount of gel is placed on the skin and a wand called a transducer is pressed against the area being examined. The wand emits sound waves that are processed into pictures by a computer. Ultrasound often is used to distinguish breast cancer from cysts, diagnose abdominal pain and liver disease, detect kidney stones and blockages in the veins and arteries, and guide biopsies.

Vascular and Venous Imaging

Doppler ultrasound measures the direction and speed of blood as it moves through vessels, enabling the detection of clots, blockages and venous insufficiency. CT and MR angiography are used to diagnose peripheral artery disease, the narrowing or hardening of arteries in the legs and arms. This exam usually requires the injection of a contrast agent which allows the radiologists to better observe the blood as it moves through your limbs.

X-ray and Fluoroscopy

X-rays can be taken as single frame pictures or moving pictures to see an internal organ in action, called fluoroscopy. Both X-ray and fluoroscopy machines use a small amount of radiation to acquire the images, commonly used to diagnose fractures, chest congestion and blockages in the gastrointestinal tract and other organs.

Pediatric Imaging

Because children are smaller, still growing and more vulnerable to radiation, we follow the Imaging Gently guidelines to ensure that your child receives the lowest possible radiation dose if they need CT, X-ray, fluoroscopy or a nuclear medicine procedure. When possible, we substitute a different study, such as ultrasound or MRI, that does not entail exposure to radiation.

Central Scheduling

Our priority is to get you in for the earliest possible appointment.

To schedule at our California, Davies, and Pacific campuses, please call (855) 354-2778.

To schedule at our Mission Bernal Campus, please call (415) 641-6546.

Authorizations for procedures scheduled at California, Davies, and Pacific campuses should be faxed to (415) 600-4425, and for procedures scheduled at the Mission Bernal campus should be faxed to (415) 558-5384.

Contrast Extravasation

Contrast extravasation is a rare problem that occurs when contrast dye leaks into the tissue around the vein where the IV was placed for a CT or MRI scan.