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Diagnostic Imaging

Sutter Health provides a full range of diagnostic imaging procedures. Radiologists are subspecialty-trained in all imaging specialties, including pediatrics, oncology, musculoskeletal, neurological and women’s imaging.

Patient getting scan

Featured Services

  • CT - Computed Tomography
  • Echocardiography
  • MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Ultrasound
  • Vascular and Venous Imaging
  • X-Ray

Seeing Into Your Body

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.

We offer diagnostic imaging services at 85 locations throughout Northern California, ensuring that your exam can be performed on the full range of medical imaging equipment by a certified radiologic technologist close to home. Your images will be interpreted by a highly skilled radiologist, stored in our enterprise electronic health record system, and available to you and your physician.

Depending on your condition and medical question, the exam may be performed at one of our hospital radiology departments, outpatient imaging centers, or centers of care excellence on state-of-the-art technology, including multi-detector CT and 3T MRI. 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. Sutter's imaging locations use 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).

Male patient getting CT scan

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. Sutter locations offer a wide range of scanners, including wide-bore MRI for patients who become anxious in close spaces.

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

Pediatric radiologists in the Sutter Health network are specially trained in the anatomy and needs of children. 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.

Our children's hospital locations feature child-friendly settings, with toys, bright colors and technologists who understand the fears and concerns of your child. Conscious sedation may be administered if necessary under a doctor’s supervision, so that your child remains awake but relaxed during the exam.

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.

Patient Information

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Minimally Invasive Surgery

Hispanic female surgeon preparing for surgery

The Non-Surgical Surgery

Interventional radiologists specialize in using imaging technology to solve many medical problems through minimally invasive surgery. Instead of scalpels, they use catheters and needles to provide treatment directly where it is needed.

Patient Stories

Back to Life — and Sports — After Neurosurgery

They thought it was just a migraine, but it turns out Thomas, 13, had a brain tumor that required immediate surgery.

Newborn with Heart Condition Thrives after Treatment

Looking at Ethan today, you wouldn’t know that he has endured three open-heart procedures.

Shoulder Surgery Reunites Sarah with Furry Friends

Sarah's volunteer efforts were interrupted when shoulder pain kept her from walking dogs at the animal shelter.

View All Stories

Doctor Profiles

The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site.
Jonathan A. Hemphill, M.D.

Jonathan A. Hemphill, M.D.

  • Cardiovascular Disease

Timothy L. Washowich, M.D.

Timothy L. Washowich, M.D.

  • Radiology

Carolyn E. Kwon, M.D.

Carolyn E. Kwon, M.D.

  • Radiology

Michael A. Kadoch, M.D.

Michael A. Kadoch, M.D.

  • Radiology

Samira S. Rathnayake, M.D.

Samira S. Rathnayake, M.D.

  • Radiology

Neelima Vallurupalli, M.D.

Neelima Vallurupalli, M.D.

  • Cardiovascular Disease

D. Gregory Hopkins, M.D.

D. Gregory Hopkins, M.D.

  • Cardiovascular Disease

Charles C. Tsai, M.D.

Charles C. Tsai, M.D.

  • Cardiovascular Disease

Erik T. Price, M.D.

Erik T. Price, M.D.

  • Cardiovascular Disease

View All Related Doctors

Services Near You

Sutter Solano Medical Center

Sutter Solano Medical Center

Sutter Roseville Medical Center

Sutter Roseville Medical Center

Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

Sutter Davis Hospital

Sutter Davis Hospital

Sutter Tracy Community Hospital

Sutter Tracy Community Hospital

Sutter Medical Foundation

Sutter Medical Foundation

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz

Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

View All Related Locations

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