Digital Mammography-Because you deserve the best for early detection. Mammography is a type of diagnostic imaging that uses low-dose x-rays (radiographs) to examine breasts. Mammograms are used as a screening tool to detect early breast cancer in women experiencing no symptoms and to detect breast disease in women experiencing symptoms such as a lump, pain or nipple discharge. Sanford Medical Center Luverne offers full-field digital mammography to produce the highest quality images for advanced, earlier detection. Be sure to ask your doctor about the advantages of digital mammography for your breast health at all stages of life. Digital Mammography includes both screening and diagnostic mammography exams.
Screening Digital Mammography- Mammography plays a central part in early detection of breast cancers by showing changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. Our family physicians and radiologists follow the current guidelines from the American Cancer Society which recommends screening mammography annually from the age of 40.Early detection requires a combination of monthly breast self examinations and annual mammography. Please call the Sanford Luverne Medical Center Patient Appointment Center at (507) 449-1340 to schedule an appointment. No physician's order is necessary. These procedures are available to be scheduled Monday- Friday from 7:00am-3:00pm.
Monthly Self Breast Examinations: The self-examination includes looking at the breasts, feeling the breasts, and gently squeezing each breast to check for any discharge. To observe your breasts, stand in front of a mirror. Look for changes such as change in size, dimpling or an inverted or pulled-in nipple. Next, gently squeeze the breast just behind the nipple to see if there is any discharge. The third step is to feel the breasts in a systematic manner. When you do this, be sure to feel deeply through all the breast tissue and to cover all areas of the chest and underarm. It is best to do this when you are lying down, with the arm on the side to be examined behind your head. Think of the breast like the face of a clock with the nipple at the center. Use your three middle fingers held flat against the breast. Do not use your fingertips. Begin at the nipple. With small circular motions, feel all of the tissue out to 12 o'clock. Again, start at the nipple and repeat the circular motion out to 1 o'clock. Then, continue to do this with all the other numbers around the clock.
Diagnostic Digital Mammography- Diagnostic mammography is used to evaluate a patient with abnormal clinical findings – such as a breast lump – that have been found by the woman or her doctor. It may also be done after an abnormal screening mammography in order to determine the cause of the area of concern on the screening exam. Please contact your physician to assist you in scheduling your appointment. These appointments will be scheduled in coordination with a Radiologist.
What should I do if I feel a Lump? If you detect any unusual lumps or changes, please contact your personal physician for an exam. Sanford Luverne Medical Center radiology department has qualified staff members who are accredited by the American College of Radiology and registered in mammography. Your physician will assist you in setting up any imaging procedures required.
Diagnostic Radiographic Procedures- We offer 24-hour Radiology Services to all ages including inpatients and emergency room patients. Department is fully staffed from 7:00am-5:00pm, Monday – Friday for outpatient exams.
Radiographic X- Rays are used to assist physicians in diagnosis of a patient's symptoms. This can be completed by plain film X-Ray, Fluoroscopy, C-Arm procedures and portable radiography.
CT Scans- Sometimes called CAT scan, CT uses special x-ray equipment to obtain images from different angles around the body, and then uses computer processing to demonstrate a cross-section of body tissues and organs. CT imaging is particularly useful for visualizing several types of tissue — bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels — with great clarity.
What you can expect: CT scanners are shaped like a large doughnut standing on its side. You lie on a narrow table that slides into the "doughnut hole," which is called a gantry. Straps and pillows may help you stay in position. During a CT scan of the head, the table may be fitted with a special cradle that holds your head still. The table will move slowly through the gantry during the CT scan, as the gantry rotates in a circle around you. Each rotation yields several images of thin slices of your body. You may hear buzzing, clicking and whirring noises. A technologist will be nearby, in a separate room. You will be able to communicate with the technologist via intercom. The technologist may ask you to hold your breath at certain points to avoid blurring the images. After the exam you can return to your normal routine. If you were given a contrast material, you may receive special instructions. In some cases, you may be asked to wait for a short time before leaving to ensure that you feel well after the exam. After the scan, you'll likely be told to drink lots of fluids to help your kidneys remove the contrast material from your body.
With a doctors order these exams may be scheduled through our patient appointment center at 1-507-449-1340.
These services are provided 24 hours a day for inpatient and emergency patients. Outpatients can be scheduled Monday- Friday from 7:00am-3:30pm.
DEXA Scans- Bone densitometry, also called Dual Energy Xray Absorptiometry (DEXA) is an advanced form of x-ray technology used to measure bone loss. It is the standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD). DEXA is frequently used to diagnose osteoporosis.
This special diagnostic x-ray of the hip, spine and/or forearm can determine your current bone density. This test can be used to specifically monitor bone density changes. A physician will analyze your results with a report sent to your healthcare provider. An order from your personal physician must be obtained to make an appointment for osteoporosis testing with a bone density scan (DEXA).Please Contact your physicians office to assist you in making an appointment.
Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a disease in which there is a loss of quantity and quality of bone, causing an increased risk of fractures. The best way to prevent the effects of osteoporosis is to find out if you are at risk and begin preventive measures. A DEXA scan can provide this information.
Ultrasound- Ultrasound imaging – also called ultrasound scanning or sonography – obtains images of internal organs by sending high-frequency sound waves into the body. The sound wave echoes are recorded and displayed as a real-time visual image. These images often provide information that’s valuable in diagnosing and treating a variety of diseases and conditions.
An ultrasound is a non-invasive tool for the diagnosis of certain diseases, such as stones in the gallbladder or masses or cysts on organs throughout the body. It is often used in obstetrics for dating the fetus and ruling out abnormalities. This is a safe diagnostic tool, as no radiation is used in this procedure. An ultrasound is produced by sending and receiving sound waves.
Ultrasounds performed at Sanford Medical Center Luverne include: Abdominal, Pelvic, OB, Breast, Thyroid, Lower Leg Venous Doppler and Carotid Artery Doppler
Ultrasounds are available by appointment Monday through Friday 7:00am-3:00pm and for emergency purposes. An order from your personal physician must be obtained to make an appointment for an ultrasound.
MRI- Using magnetic fields and radio waves, an MRI system produces high-resolution, high-quality, detailed images of the human body, aiding in the visualization and detection of pathological changes within organs, blood vessels, bones and various other types of soft-tissue structures.
What to expect : The MRI machine looks like a tunnel that has both ends open. You lie down on a movable table that slides into the opening of the tunnel. A technologist monitors you from another room. You can talk with him or her by microphone. The MRI machine creates a strong magnetic field around you, and radio waves are directed at your body. The procedure is painless. You don't feel the magnetic field or radio waves, and there are no moving parts around you. During the MRI scan, the internal part of the magnet produces repetitive tapping, thumping and other noises. Earplugs or music may be provided to help block the noise. If you are worried about feeling claustrophobic inside the MRI machine, talk to your doctor beforehand. He or she may make arrangements for you to receive a sedative before the scan. An MRI typically lasts less than an hour. You must hold very still because movement can blur the resulting images. In some cases, contrast agents are injected into your veins to enhance the appearance of certain tissues or blood vessels in the images.
MRIs are available at Sanford Hospital Luverne three days a week, Monday afternoon, Wednesday morning, and Friday morning through a mobile service provided by Sanford Health. An order from your personal physician must be obtained to make an appointment for a MRI.
Nuclear Medicine- Nuclear medicine is a subspecialty within the field of radiology that uses very small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose disease and other abnormalities within the body. Nuclear medicine imaging procedures are noninvasive and usually painless medical tests that help physicians diagnose medical conditions. A special imaging devices works together with a computer to measure the amount of radiotracer absorbed by your body and to produce special pictures offering details on both the structure and function of organs and other internal body parts.
Nuclear medicine imaging scans are performed to:
analyze kidney function
visualize heart blood flow and function
scan lungs for respiratory and blood flow problems
identify blockage in the gallbladder
evaluate bones for fracture, infection, arthritis and tumors
determine the presence or spread of cancer
identify bleeding into the bowel
locate the presence of infection
measure thyroid function to detect an overactive or underactive thyroid
investigate abnormalities in the brain
These exams can be scheduled with the help of your physician’s office and a physician order.
Cardiovascular Ultrasound- Most ultrasound examinations are painless, fast and easy. After you are positioned on the examination table, the sonographer will apply some warm water-based gel on your skin and then place the transducer firmly against your body, moving it back and forth over the area of interest until the desired images are captured. There is usually no discomfort from pressure as the transducer is pressed against the area being examined. If scanning is performed over an area of tenderness, you may feel pressure or minor pain from the transducer. If a Doppler ultrasound study is performed, you may actually hear pulse-like sounds that change in pitch as the blood flow is monitored and measured. Once the imaging is complete, the gel will be wiped off your skin. After an ultrasound examination, you should be able to resume your normal activities immediately.
Cardiovascular Ultrasound can be scheduled with a physician order with the assistance of his/her office.
Neuro Diagnostic Imaging- Electroencephalogram (EEG)- Sometimes referred to as the "brain wave test," an EEG records the electrical activity of the brain. EEGs are performed on patients who have experienced seizures, epilepsy, passing out, headaches or brain attacks (strokes). An EEG can also be performed to determine the level of consciousness of a patient, mental status changes and for determination of brain death. To perform an EEG, small metal disks are attached with a conductive cream to the scalp of the patient. The patient is asked to lie quietly for 20-30 minutes while data are being recorded. During the recording, the technologist will ask the patient to open and close his or her eyes, perform hyperventilation (breathing faster and deeper than sual), look at a strobe light, and go to sleep. These procedures enable the technologist to obtain detailed information for interpretation by the physician. The entire procedure, including patient set-up, takes approximately two hours. An EEG is also the basis for long-term monitoring for epilepsy.
Nerve conduction study (NCS)- a test commonly used to evaluate the function, especially the ability of electrical conduction of the motor and sensory nerves of the human body.
Your physician’s office can assist you in scheduling the procedure and place an order.
Please call the Sanford Hospital Luverne Radiology Department at (507) 283-2321, ext. 225 for further information.