What is the role of a radiologist within health care?

Radiologists are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis of disease through interpreting imaging exams. Many patients would be surprised to know that after they get an imaging study, there is a physician behind the scenes who carefully reviews all of their images, and uses the provided clinical history to form a diagnosis! Radiologists interpret radiographs (x-rays), ultrasound, nuclear medicine exams, … Read More

Breast biopsy: what to know

If you find a lump or a change in your breast is seen on a mammogram, a biopsy may be needed to know what’s causing it. A biopsy is when a piece of tissue is taken out and tested in the lab. A biopsy is the only way to know if a suspicious breast change is cancer. The American Cancer Society … Read More

The sounds of MRI

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

DIS Northshore “ice buckets” its operations manager!

Diagnostic Imaging Services salutes our Northshore operations manager, Tim, for accepting the Ice Bucket Challenge gauntlet that was thrown down last week. Not a bad way to cool off after a busy day and all for a very worthy cause!

DIS Metairie Breast MRI received three-year ACR accreditation renewal

Diagnostic Imaging Services has announced that our breast MRI service in Metairie has been awarded another three-year accreditation by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Lead by a DIS MRI technologist, Brandi, DIS met or exceeded standards set by the ACR for quality, patient safety, reporting, technology and expertise. DIS performs breast MRI in Metairie on our high field open … Read More

Prices for over 70 medical procedures are now online

Buying health care in America is like shopping blindfolded at Macy’s and getting the bill months after you leave the store, Princeton economist Uwe Reinhardt likes to say. But an online tool that went live in February is supposed to help change that, giving patients in most parts of the country a small peek at the prices of medical tests and … Read More

DIS offers May screening mammogram special in recognition of Mother’s Day

DIS performs screening (and diagnostic) mammograms at all four of our facilities. During the month of May, we offer a special screening mammogram price of only $99. This price special is valid May 1 – May 31, 2015. Our Women’s Center in Metairie will be open each Saturday during May to offer weekend screenings. If you have about 20 minutes, come see … Read More

WSJ: Should MRI to detect prostate cancer become standard of care?

A growing body of evidence proves MRI can effectively identify suspicious lesions prior to biopsy. MRI generally does not detect indolent tumors that do not require treatment and can guide biopsy needles for more precise targeting. This reduces the necessity for repeat biopsies while increasing detection rates for high-risk, high-grade prostate cancers. However, the practice of using MRI to detect … Read More

Does diet affect the risk of developing breast cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, “A healthy diet can also help you get to and stay at a healthy weight. Overweight and obesity increase the risk for getting breast cancer. What’s less clear is the link between breast cancer risk and any one food type. Many studies about foods and breast cancer risk have had different results, but no … Read More

Fewer men get prostate PSA cancer test

Fewer American men are receiving prostate cancer screening in the wake of a national panel’s conclusion that the test does men more harm than good, a new study finds. What’s more, primary care doctors appear to have broadly accepted the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s (USPSTF) ruling that the harms of prostate screening outweigh the benefits, according to a second … Read More

What is ICD-10 and why should you care

People may have heard over the years that health care in America has started and stopped, started and stopped, on the road to ICD-10. What exactly is that? ICD-10 is the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD), a medical classification list by the World Health Organization (WHO). It contains codes for diseases, … Read More

Data shows large rise in list prices at hospitals

Diagnostic Imaging Services shares a news report showing that list prices at hospitals across the United States have risen at a pace that outpaces inflation. Most people with health insurance, including those receiving Medicare, won’t ever a see a bill for the hospital’s list price because the insurer negotiates a lower rate. But these rising charges are a growing concern … Read More

Fusion/Image Merge studies added to DIS suite of services

Over the past few months, Diagnostic Imaging Services has performed numerous fusion/image merge studies. What does that mean exactly? Typically, DIS performs a nuclear medicine bone scan and a Computed Tomography (CT)  or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. Then, through post processing via computer software, images from the nuclear medicine test and either the CT or MRI are merged together … Read More

When would my doctor recommend a ultrasound guided breast biopsy?

Lumps or abnormalities in the breast are often detected by physical examination, mammography, or other imaging studies. However, it is not always possible to tell from these imaging tests whether a growth is benign or cancerous. A breast biopsy is performed to remove some cells—either surgically or through a less invasive procedure involving a hollow needle — from a suspicious … Read More

Have you spoken with your benefits value advisor?

Do you know if you have one? For many health insurance carriers, members (i.e. policy holders) can usually call or email an advisor that will assist in identifying benefits information, cost estimates and information on in-network providers for health care services. For services including surgeries, specialty procedures AND medical imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans, advisors can be … Read More

Attention all savers!

Diagnostic Imaging Services believes we will save people money on their imaging exams while providing the same, if not better, quality of care. How is that possible? Click on the picture to find out more.  

What is arthropathy?

Have you ever been told by a doctor or health care provider that you have arthropathy? Let’s make a little sense of this medical term. Arthropathy means any disease of the joints. A joint is a place where two bones contact each other. The main form of joint disease is arthritis, which is joint inflammation. There are different forms of arthritis … Read More

Don’t believe “your insurance will pay for it”

Diagnostic Imaging Services shares the experience of one woman who wrote an October 2014 piece for Forbes magazine. As many discover — and DIS has warned — trying to find the TRUE cost of an imaging exam such as an MRI is much more time-consuming that it should be. Because of the convolution of prices that DIS refers to as … Read More

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

Diagnostic Imaging Services shares a two-minute brief explanation that answers the question regarding prostate cancer symptoms. Prostate cancer may cause no signs or symptoms in its early stages. Prostate cancer that is more advanced may cause signs and symptoms. Learn more by viewing the video below, courtesy of the Prostate Cancer Live channel on YouTube.  

Like many — we have come a long way

 As the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches, we thought we would share how far Diagnostic Imaging Services has come since late August 2005. Our clinics and administration areas suffered heavy damage due to the storm and its ensuing flooding and post-storm chaos. However, again, like many, we pulled together, persevered and did what we had to do collectively to … Read More

Another example of the higher cost of hospital imaging exams

Diagnostic Imaging Services received this copy from a woman who visited a New Orleans area hospital for an ultrasound of the abdomen. DIS performs two ultrasounds of the abdomen: CPT code 76700 abdominal complete CPT code 76705 abdominal limited As you can see from the image, the radiology charge from the hospital was $1,224.00. DIS performs CPT code 76700 with … Read More

Tips for talking to your doctor about price

Taking an active role in your health and communicating with your doctor is critical to getting good healthcare; that includes discussions around cost. Here are some tips on preparing for discussions with your doctor about price. Get educated. Before you go to your appointment, become familiar with your health plan. Find out about your co-pay, deductible and what procedures are … Read More

What do people think of their DIS visit?

While we know that despite our very best efforts, we will never be perfect. But, as the sports analogy goes, in trying to attain perfection, you can achieve excellence. In being an independently-owned outpatient imaging provider, Diagnostic Imaging Services wants the experience people have at one of our locations to be a memorable one — and for all the right reasons. … Read More

Major product improvement software release completed on the DIS high field open MRI

Diagnostic Imaging Services is pleased to announce that our Oasis high field open MRI has received a major product improvement software release — an improvement that only DIS has received within the state of Louisiana. The results are outstanding!   High resolution angiography studies done with MRI that produces stellar images of a patient’s arteries and veins — images that … Read More

Breast lumps: something that needs to be evaluated?

Finding a lump in your breast can be a scary thing, but is it something you should worry about? Patients often worry that lumps in their breasts could be early signs of breast cancer. Sometimes a lumpy breast can be mistaken as being cancerous. The important thing is to know you breasts and understand your own normal. No one will … Read More

No contrast injection necessary for angiography performed with MRI

At Diagnostic Imaging Services, angiography exams are commonly ordered by physicians in order to closely examine the body’s blood vessels, utilizing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). In the  past and in many cases, a contrast was injected in order to complete the radiologic evaluation. Now, that injection is no longer necessary. Without the need for an injection, our MRA exams are approximately … Read More

Study: patients prefer familiarity over expertise when learning test results

Patients prefer to receive imaging exam results from their referring physician and not a radiologist, according to a study featured in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. The study , conducted by David M. Naeger, MD, and colleagues, looked at 617 anonymous surveys completed over a 4-week period by adult patients undergoing outpatient CT or MRI exams. Patients were … Read More

Computed Tomography: the latest upgrade in technology at DIS

Throughout 2015, Diagnostic Imaging Services has continued to invest in better technology in order to best service the medical community and general public with imaging exams that provide the information needed in order to arrive at a diagnosis. To our knowledge, no other independently-owned imaging organization in southeast Louisiana has invested more in our technical services, with Computed Tomography (CT) … Read More

MRI often valuable for evaluating ruptured breast implant

Breast implants are one of the more commonly performed plastic surgery procedures in the United States. More than 285,000 women received breast implants in 2014. Although it has been clearly demonstrated that ruptured implants do not cause harm, women should consider potential complications when making the personal decision to have breast implants. A ruptured breast implant is one such risk. … Read More

November is American Diabetes Month

Diabetes can strike anyone, from any walk of life. And it does – in numbers that are dramatically increasing. In the last decade, the cases of people living with diabetes jumped almost 50 percent – to more than 29 million Americans. Worldwide, it afflicts more than 380 million people.  And the World Health Organization estimates that by 2030, that number of … Read More

Intelli IP advanced CT technology installed at Diagnostic Imaging Services

The first scanner technology of its kind in the United States was installed at Diagnostic Imaging Services this week. Housed at the DIS Women’s & Advanced Imaging Center in Metairie, the Hitachi Supria 16-slice CT system, approved by the FDA last month, combines the latest dose saving technologies in a compact design with enhanced patient access features to comfortably accommodate … Read More

DIS donates nearly $6,000 to the American Cancer Society

Every October, Diagnostic Imaging Services makes a donation to the New Orleans area American Cancer Society for each screening and diagnostic mammogram we perform. This is part of our participation for the month in the Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” event that is held annually. This year, DIS is proud to donate nearly $6,000 to the cause of less … Read More

Louisiana breast density reporting bill signed into law

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed the state’s breast density reporting bill (HB 186) into law this past summer. The bill, known as the Monica Landry Helo Early Detection Act, becomes effective on January 1, 2016. Under the new law, patients in the state will always be sent their mammogram records along with detailed reports, even if no evidence that specifically … Read More

Go Red For Women and February 5: Red Ahead!

Diagnostic Imaging Services says we are RED AHEAD in participating in the 2016 National Wear Red Day. Why is red the color of the cause? Because it’s the color of hearts. Go Red For Women supports educational programs to increase women’s awareness and critical research to discover scientific knowledge about cardiovascular health. Join us at and Go Red For Women!

The American Cancer Society says thank you

A message from the New Orleans area American Cancer Society: It is National Volunteer Appreciation Week, and all of us at the American Cancer Society in New Orleans want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for the endless support, time dedication, funds, and passion you put in to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and the mission … Read More

Supporting the military and their families

All of us at Diagnostic Imaging Services support our men and women, past and present, who have defended our freedom and our liberty by putting their lives on the line in order to keep our country free and strong. Not only should support happen for them, but also for their families and loved ones, who often experience long periods without … Read More

Like music to my ears – literally

That’s what some MRI patients may tell you after their MRI experience at Diagnostic Imaging Services. Music is often referred to by many as life. It’s been referred to as “what feelings are like,” the shorthand of emotion” and “what makes the world go round.” We’ll add to that by saying it’s what makes undergoing a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) … Read More

Hospital employment of doctors rising rapidly

The number of physician practices owned by hospitals and health systems jumped 86% from 2012 to 2015, according to a survey conducted by the Avalere Health for the Physicians Advocacy Institute (PAI). The number of physicians employed by hospitals increased by nearly 50% during the same period, from 95,000 doctors in 2012 to more than 140,000 physicians in 2015, the … Read More

Visit DIS and “Pink up the Pace”

Diagnostic Imaging Services will be hosting our first ever “PINK UP THE PACE” event on Wednesday morning, October 26, 2016. This event gives women an opportunity to learn more about mammography and women’s health, as well as make appointments for breast cancer screenings. And, while visiting DIS, take advantage of our free 10-minute chair massage, courtesy of Balance Massage! Come … Read More

Diagnostic Imaging Services recognized in national MRI exam quality contest

Diagnostic Imaging Services is pleased to announce that among images submitted by our high field open Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technologist, the image (right) for a MRI of the brain and pituitary gland was given second place! This national contest, sponsored by Hitachi, recognizes excellence in MRI imaging from across the country. DIS installed our Hitachi Oasis 1.2T high field open … Read More

What do people who choose Diagnostic Imaging Services think of us?

Part of what we do daily at Diagnostic Imaging Services is to give people the chance to tell us what they thought about their experience with us. We know there are many choices when needing an imaging exam and we want to know how we are doing in terms of care and service. By actively soliciting people, we gleam information … Read More

DIS Chief Executive Officer appointed to You Night advisory board

You Night, the program designed to help women address the emotional and mental effects women experience after a cancer diagnosis, has appointed Michael Holmes, Chief Executive Officer of Diagnostic Imaging Services, to its advisory board. “Joining the distinguished individuals already on the You Night board is a privilege,” said Holmes. “Our organization is deeply rooted in taking care of women … Read More

DIS makes contribution to the American Cancer Society

Over the past several years, Diagnostic Imaging Services has conducted a campaign during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month in which for every screening and diagnostic mammogram, we make a donation to the New Orleans area of the American Cancer Society (ACS). This year was no different. The ACS saves lives by helping people stay well and get well, by finding … Read More

The eye popping cost of cancer drugs

While Diagnostic Imaging Services is not an organization that provides oncology services, we do screen and perform exams on people who may receive a new diagnosis of cancer, a notification that a previous cancer has returned or is/has received treatment for cancer. For those people, this story from CBS news may ring very true. For those who have not themselves … Read More

A 128 percent difference for the same imaging exams

Diagnostic Imaging Services shares information comparing exam prices taken directly from a 2015 hospital invoice and the shocking difference between hospital prices and those from DIS. Exam CPT Code New Orleans Hospital DIS CT cervical spine without contrast 72125 $3,102 $1,109 Nuclear Medicine bone SPECT 78320 $931 $820 X-ray cervical spine 5 view 72050 $765 $180 Total Price: $4,805 $2,109 … Read More

Diagnostic Imaging Services invests in improved fluoroscopy technology

Diagnostic Imaging Services recently completed the installation of updated fluoroscopy technology at our East Bank location in Metairie. Fluoroscopy pays a pivotal role in medical imaging, being integral in studies such as arthrograms and hysterosalpingograms. Fluoroscopy is a study of moving body structures. It’s much like an x-ray video and is often done while a contrast dye moves through the part … Read More

What are the reasons for a physician to recommend a breast MRI?

Guidelines from the American Cancer Society do include screening MRI with mammography for certain high-risk women. This option should be considered for the following: Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation (BRCA1 is a gene, which, when altered, indicates an inherited susceptibility to cancer. BRCA2 is a gene, which, when altered, indicates an inherited susceptibility to breast and/or ovarian cancer.) Women … Read More

Lung cancer Isn’t the only smoking-related cancer

A 2015 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has found that 48.5 percent of around 346,000 deaths attributed to 12 types of cancer are caused by cigarette smoke. Lead researcher from the American Cancer Society, Dr. Rebecca L. Siegel, and her colleagues combed through data from the 2011 National Health Interview Survey and the Cancer Prevention Study III. The research … Read More

High quality and lower cost. Yes, it’s possible in health care.

A few months ago, many of you have started the year with a new healthcare plan. Many more individuals who chose their employer’s health insurance plan faced high (or higher) deductibles. For many, this means a higher health insurance deductible than you have ever had before. Did you know that even in the medical field, different service providers charge different … Read More