Novato Community Hospital Diagnostic Imaging

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 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. The scanner offers a lower radiation dose with the use of Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction (ASIR), a technology that changes the dose paradigm across a patient's anatomy. This helps achieve radiation dose reduction of up to 30% while maintaining image quality. Common uses of CT include the detection of tumors, infections, internal bleeding and trauma, blood vessel blockages (CT angiogram).

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. 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 solid nodules 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.

Digital Radiology Studies (X-Ray)

• Bone
• Chest
• Intravenous Pyelogram

Fluoroscopy

We have a dedicated GE Fluoro Suite. Our first case starts at 8am and our last case no later than 2pm since the majority of our fluoroscopy cases involve a Radiologist – times may vary due to their availability.

• Barium Studies
• Small Bowel Studies
• Cystograms
• Hysterosalpingogram
• Arthrograms
• Myelograms
• Lumbar punctures

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. When possible, we substitute a different study, such as ultrasound or MRI, that does not entail exposure to radiation.