Knee pain is common among Americans age 40 and up. Nearly 1 in 17 people visit doctor offices each year for knee pain or injuries for osteoarthritis – a progressive “wear and tear” diseases of the joints. Those odds increase as the U.S. ...
CityBusiness New Orleans has released the results of their “best of” issue for 2021, covering many different business and service sectors throughout the greater New Orleans and southeast Louisiana areas. One area was medical imaging and ...
Capitol Imaging Services answers the question, “Why would a doctor recommend a CT of the abdomen and pelvis?” This type of CT (Computed Tomography) scan is typically used to help diagnose the cause of abdominal or pelvic pain and disease...
A Capitol Imaging Services network affiliate, Diagnostic Imaging Services (DIS), offers three different options for undergoing a breast biopsy. These options are best determined by a qualified medical provider and often a consultation wi...
This question is often asked of a woman contacting Capitol Imaging Services (CIS) to arrange a visit for a screening mammogram. Most everyone understands that a referral order is needed in order to complete a screening mammogram or any i...
Cauda Equina Syndrome is a rare, but very serious condition affecting body areas such as the spine. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) defines this syndrome as “occurring when the nerve roots of the cauda equina are...
Going to the doctor can be scary enough for young children. So the idea of an X-Ray or MRI may prove particularly stressful. You see sophisticated equipment that can help identify risks to your child’s health. Your child, however, may ...
Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans both provide diagnostic images of the inside of your body. However, they accomplish this important task in very different ways. Here are a few key differences between CT...
In a published article in a medical journal, the Journal of the American Medical Association, the U.S. Preventive Task Force has announced that it is recommending ” anyone between ages 50 and 80 who has smoked at least 20 “pack-years...
Those of us who work at Capitol Imaging Services are often asked by people, particularly those who have never had an MRI before, “I’ve heard that lots of different sounds are made by the machine. Is that true?” Yes, that is true. The sounds are made by the banging is the vibration of metal coils in the machine caused by … Read More
Paget’s disease is a chronic condition which interferes with your body’s normal bone remodeling process. Bone remodeling is a process in which new bone tissue gradually replaces old bone tissue. This relationship is vital to maintain normal calcium levels in our blood. Over time, the disease can cause affected bones to become fragile and misshapen. Paget’s disease of bone most … Read More
This spring marks approximately five years since our Capitol Imaging Services affiliate, Diagnostic Imaging Services (DIS), began performing 3D screening and diagnostic mammograms. We began with our Metairie – Veterans Memorial Boulevard Women’s Center and expanded to our Covington – Highway 21, Marrero and Slidell, LA locations. But, why should women take advantage of this technology? Some reasons are provided … Read More
May is National Osteoporosis Month. According to the National Council for Aging Care and the National Osteoporosis Foundation, more than 44 million Americans aged 50 and older either have or face the threat of developing osteoporosis due to low bone density levels. What many may not know is that osteoporosis is not only treatable, but can be reversed with proper … Read More
The headline is from a published article in Consumer Reports and written by a physician. She offers sound advice on what to say and what to ask, given the health care climate of continual rising deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. The insight is valuable and people should feel comfortable and confident in bringing up the subject of medical cost. You’re not … Read More
Hey, we think the image to the right is exactly how the man felt when he was told by a Capitol Imaging Services associate that with his health insurance coverage and deductible, we were going to save him several hundred dollars on an MRI exam. Unfortunately, his physician referred him to a local hospital. Upon conferring with the hospital, he … Read More
Most would initially conclude that the above statement comes from a satisfied person who came to Capitol Imaging Services for an imaging exam. Actually, that statement came from a nurse that works in a referring office in New Orleans, LA. This nurse from an orthopedic practice had referred someone to a facility other than Capitol Imaging Services (a hospital imaging … Read More
“I might have caught it before it spread to lymph nodes and before it upended my life.” That’s a quote from an April 2018 article in The Advocate with State Representative Julie Stokes. She underwent chemotherapy and surgery, and emerged from the health challenge cancer-free. More advanced technology? In the article, Ms. Stokes revealed that she learned that her screening … Read More
Nuclear medicine is a safe, painless, and cost-effective way of gathering information that may otherwise be unavailable or require a more expensive and risky diagnostic test. One unique aspect of a nuclear medicine test is its extreme sensitivity to abnormalities in an organ’s structure or function. As an integral part of patient care, nuclear medicine is used in the diagnosis, … Read More
A breast cyst is a fluid-filled sac, like a tiny balloon, inside the breast. Breast cysts are common in women. They can cause a little pain, but they are usually benign (not cancer). In breast cyst aspiration, your doctor uses a small needle to make sure that the breast lump is a cyst, and to drain fluid from the cyst. … Read More
Diagnostic imaging lets doctors look inside your body for clues about a medical condition. A variety of machines and techniques can create pictures of the structures and activities inside your body. The type of imaging your doctor uses depends on your symptoms and the part of your body being examined. They include: X-rays CT scans Nuclear medicine scans MRI scans … Read More
As outlined by the American College of Radiology, there are over 15 components of a radiology report. The length of the report should have some relationship to the complexity and cost of the exam. It should have pertinent positive and negative findings and address any specific clinical concerns. All important findings need to be stated first and any incidental findings … Read More
The above is a headline on a recent news feature published by Bloomberg, a major publisher in the business and financial market sectors. According to the feature’s authors, 39 percent of large employers offer only high-deductible plans, up from 7 percent in 2009, according to a survey by the National Business Group on Health. Half of all workers now have … Read More
Ahhh…fall is soon here. This season means football, exercise and …shoulder injuries? That’s right, shoulder injuries. While this sport uses different muscles, they all involve repetitive use of the shoulder that can lead to potential shoulder instability (when the shoulder joint is loose and slides around too much in the socket). This repetitive motion can cause the shoulder ligaments to … Read More
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The public’s understanding of the disease is increasing, including its prevalence, approaches to screening and prevention, treatment options, and resources that offer updated prostate cancer information throughout the year. Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and is a leading cause of cancer death in men, second only to lung cancer. … Read More
A screening mammography program that begins when a woman is 40 and continues on an annual basis is the most effective for reducing mortality rates, according to study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. Why? Because screening that starts earlier and is performed every year finds breast cancer in its earlier stages, which boosts a woman’s … Read More
Researchers do not know the exact cause of prostate cancer, but have found that men with certain risk factors are more likely to develop the disease. Risk factors to consider include age, family history, race and diet. Age: In men younger than 45, prostate cancer is rare, but the chance of getting it goes up significantly as they get older. The … Read More
Just like a recent savings example we shared, we think the image to the right is exactly how the man felt when he was told by a Capitol Imaging Service associate that with his health insurance coverage and deductible, we were going to save him over 20% on an MRI exam. His physician referred him to a local hospital. Upon … Read More
According to a presentation made at a radiology-centered medical convention, a study was presented that showed breast cancer screening utilizing 3D mammography, also known as breast tomosynthesis or digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), identifies smaller breast cancer when compared to 2D screening mammography. This finding indicates that this technology can improve health outcomes for women diagnosed with early breast cancer. Smaller … Read More
In a healthcare journal article published in 2017, more and more clinical evidence indicates that using 3D mammography, also known as digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), for breast cancer screening reduces recall rates and increases the detection of invasive cancers. Now another benefit of the technology is coming to the forefront: Adding DBT to digital mammography helps radiologists categorize lesions more accurately. … Read More
Many times, women will ask our technologists at our various Capitol Imaging Services affiliate, Diagnostic Imaging Services, centers on the proper way to conduct a breast self-examination. While there are numerous pieces of literature available, as well as many online resources, here is a step-by-step guide we like to recommend. Of course, your doctor, nurse practitioner or other health care … Read More
Women with Medicare and Managed Medicare plans (i.e. Humana Gold, Choices 65, etc.) can choose the 3D mammography option for their screening without any additional fees. For nearly four years, these plans also cover 3D in addition to the traditional portion of their mammogram. 3D mammography is also known as breast tomosynthesis. There are several additional health insurance plan types … Read More
The month of November is designated as Lung Cancer Awareness Month. The Lung Cancer Awareness Month Coalition is a group of leading international research and advocacy organizations that partner each November in an effort to improve outcomes for lung cancer patients across the world. Unlike many other diseases, with lung cancer, there is a shocking lack of knowledge among both … Read More
We share a question that was posed online in a health-related forum: “I just got an MRI (with contrast die) of my brain and my inner ear, what will it probably cost me? The procedure required two MRI technicians, 1 RN, and two Medical Doctors — time under the machine was 1 1/2 hours. — The Office manager would not … Read More
CT (Computed Tomography) scanning is useful to get a very detailed 3-D image of certain parts of the body, such as soft tissues, the pelvis, blood vessels, the lungs, the brain, abdomen, and bones. Documented common reasons for a CT include: It is often the preferred method of diagnosing many cancers, such as liver, lung, and pancreatic cancers. The image allows … Read More
In the world of healthcare, lives depend upon the expertise of those in the profession. Doctors. Nurses. Support staff. All work together to provide what many consider to be the best medical care in the world. At Capitol Imaging Services, we live the passion of providing three things to every person that comes through our door for an exam: a … Read More
BI–RADS stands for Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System and was established by the American College of Radiology. BI-RADS is a system that was developed by radiologists for reporting mammogram results using a common language. The radiologist assigns a single digit BI-RADS score (ranging from 0 to 5) when the report of your mammogram is created. What does BI-RADS 0 … Read More
In published articles within the radiology industry, a pair of studies were presented during a national radiologic convention that once again showed the improved performance of breast cancer screening and diagnosis when women were examined with 3D mammography. This continues the trend over the recent years of study after study showing the superiority of 3D mammography (also known as Digital … Read More
It’s fairly common for a radiology report received by a physician, who sent a patient to Capitol Imaging Services for an exam due to back pain or discomfort, to have the report include the phrase “facet arthropathy.” What is that? The facet joints connect the vertebral bodies to one another, and like the hip and the knee, they can also … Read More
For some of the population, confined spaces such as a crowded elevator or entering a small closet can create anxious, nervous or even terrified feelings. Recently, a woman chose a Capitol Imaging Services affiliate for her MRI exam. After her visit was completed, she reached back out to us with the following: “I am beyond claustrophobic” “I am writing in … Read More
When it comes to pricey hospital procedures, MRI exams come to mind. Sure enough, according to recently released Medicare pricing data analyzed by NerdWallet Health, the average cost of an MRI in the U.S. is $2,611. Here’s what’s behind that number. Capitol Imaging Services is independently-owned, meaning our outpatient imaging services have prices that are far below area hospitals and their imaging affiliates. … Read More
When we receive feedback from people regarding their healthcare expense savings when choosing to visit Capitol Imaging Services, we want to tell the world! Here is the brief story of someone who compared their expense of an ultrasound scan, comparing a large imaging provider to us. Here are the specifics. Ultrasound: CPT code 76700 In this person’s case, there was … Read More
They are too busy. They feel fit and healthy and do not think they are at risk of developing breast cancer. They are afraid of receiving a breast cancer diagnosis if they do opt for screening. They are deterred because they have had a false positive result in the past. Prior experiences proved painful. They did not get a reminder. … Read More
As Capitol Imaging Services helps more and more people save significant amounts of money on healthcare, we wanted to share insight from a person who recently contacted us to compare our fee for a test with the fee of a local hospital. We were not surprised at the results. Hospital: triple the rate This person received a recommendation to have … Read More
When a screening or diagnostic test is done, there are three components involved: The technology: the MRI or CT scanner, the mammography and/or ultrasound system; The technologist: the experienced professional performing the test and capturing the images; The radiologist: the medical doctor who will study the images and issue their findings and impression to the ordering medical professional. The physician’s … Read More
In the greater New Orleans and southeastern Louisiana region, the Diagnostic Imaging Services Women’s Center, part of our Metairie, LA Women’s and Advanced Imaging facility, has been awarded the Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation by the American College of Radiology (ACR). According to the ACR, “The Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (BICOE) designation is awarded to breast imaging centers … Read More
In a study published in the Journal of Women’s Health, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) elimination of co-pays for screening mammography in 2010 has had a positive benefit for commercially insured women across a variety of racial and income groups. According to the research team, racial disparities in screening mammography have narrowed, particularly among African American women. … Read More
The following is information provided by Hologic, the provider of the Genius™ 3D Mammography technology found at our affiliate, Diagnostic Imaging Services. Breasts consist of two types of tissue that appear differently on a mammogram, including fatty and dense tissue. Dense breast tissue appears whiter on the mammogram image, making it more difficult for radiologists to see cancer, if present, … Read More
Capitol Imaging Services asks the question, “cost versus convenience — what if you could have both?” Which would you rather have in your health care: convenience or low cost? Oftentimes, when choosing one, the other is sacrificed. If you have ever had an x-ray, MRI or CT scan, you are well aware of the expense involved. However, choosing to get … Read More
If you have ever felt nervous, anxious or on edge when in tight spaces such as an elevator, closet or even a small car, chances are you show signs of clinical claustrophobia. Claustrophobia is defined as “a fear of being in closed or small spaces” and “an unhappy or uncomfortable feeling caused by being in a situation that limits or … Read More
According to research published by the National Institute for Health Care Reform, average hospital outpatient department prices for common imaging, colonoscopy and laboratory service can be DOUBLE THE PRICE for identical services provided in a physician’s office or other community-based setting, such as an independent provider, i.e. Diagnostic Imaging Services. Using private insurance claims data for nearly 600,000 active and … Read More
Why do MRI machines make so much noise? This is actually a very common question. Noises associated with MRI machines have been compared to jackhammers, clanking, banging, and industrial noises. You should be aware that these noises are normal and are not an indication that anything is wrong with the machine, but rather an indication that the machine is doing … Read More
Mammography screening performed annually is the best option for women age 40 to 49, according to a review published online in the Journal of Breast Imaging. Annual screening is recommended for three main reasons, not least of which is a reduction in breast cancer mortality between 29% and 49%. Benefits will continue to improve While the article is highly clinical … Read More
Advances in genomics and risk stratification allow us to tailor breast cancer screening recommendations for individual patients. Risk assessment, in particular, identifies women who are candidates for supplemental screening, genetic counseling, or genetic testing. Capitol Imaging Services has made a transition to the Tyrer-Cuzick risk assessment model, a tool that well supplements are portfolio of screening and diagnostic services pertaining … Read More
According to many resources, most any private time is the perfect time for women to check their breasts for any changes in size, symmetry or color. We probably would not recommend it while frying bacon or a vegetable stir fry, but plenty of other times in the comfort of your home are opportunities to self-check. So, put that good novel … Read More
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, “the overall cardiovascular-disease death rate is an under-recognized contributor to the recent decline in U.S. life expectancy. While that has been driven mostly by deaths from drug overdoses and suicides, improvements in cardiovascular health are no longer providing a counterbalance.” Even though there has been a significant decline in death rates … Read More
The American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) released a position statement that includes four main points for women and their medical providers to consider regarding screening mammogram guidelines and overall assessment for breast health. Below are the four points drawn up by the ASBrS: Women over the age of 25 should undergo an formal risk assessment for breast cancer. Women … Read More
What is a baseline screening mammogram? The answer is simple. it’s a woman’s first mammogram. The question regarding age is often posed to medical providers and also the frequent subject of medical provider commentary or published studies and papers. The general consensus is that in general, regular mammograms are not recommended for women who are at average risk for breast … Read More
In an update to the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), which was launched in 2002, researchers from the United States are reporting a sustained reduction in cancer deaths from Computed Tomography (CT) lung screening over a decade later after the initial screening exam. The research findings were recently published for medical professionals online in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology. Among … Read More
Capitol Imaging Services shares an informative three-minute presentation on the most common forms of cancer in women. In this video, an explanation of what cancer is and how it can develop in the breasts is provided. A description of different symptoms that are possible signs for breast cancer and the risk factors associated with this disease are also included. Capitol Imaging Services offers … Read More
