What is a bone spur and how are they diagnosed?

If you or someone you know has had knee pain and after their diagnostic testing, they received a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis, you may be more familiar with the term “osteophytes” or as their more common name, “bone spurs.” Bone spurs have been defined as “abnormal bony lumps that appear on the surface of joints that have suffered some degree of … Read More

Echocardiogram

Echocardiogram: Understanding the Study

In today’s post, find out how an echocardiogram is used to diagnose a variety of heart conditions, including valve problems and congestive heart failure, and to assess damage following a heart attack.

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

Pelvic and obstetrical ultrasounds: why do we make you have a full bladder?

We are sure that most women out there have had the pleasure of experiencing an extremely full bladder during a pelvic or obstetrical ultrasound examination!  The usual question that we get regarding this is “why do you need to torture us with an overly full bladder while you press on our pelvis making it worse?” Well, there are two very … Read More

Thyroid disease awareness: give yourself a “neck check”

January is National Thyroid Awareness Month. Thyroid disease affects as many as 30 million Americans, according to the American College of Endocrinology. What is the thyroid? The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in front of the neck, below the Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland produces hormones that control how the body functions – including heart rate, cholesterol level, body … Read More

Thousands more for an ultrasound

Capitol Imaging Services was contacted by a woman who had her doctor recommend an ultrasound due to a condition known as aortic stenosis. However, she told her doctor there was no way she was going to have the test when the hospital told her the cost was $2,870! She had health insurance and therefore the price of $2,870 would be … Read More

Yummy “on” the tummy: the wonders of ultrasound

Bellies and tummies are where we keep things, including laughs, gumbo and babies. But this area holds more than that. The anatomically correct name for that part of the body is the abdomen. The abdomen is home to important organs including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and towards the back, the kidneys. So when radiologists are asked to look into someone’s belly/tummy/abdomen, … Read More

Your midsection and ultrasound

What is considered to be the “abdominal area, the midsection so to speak of  your body?” Most would consider the abdomen to be home to important organs including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and towards the back, the kidneys. So when it is necessary to examine the abdomen, there are several areas to review. Pain in the abdomen can arise from issues … Read More

What is breast cyst aspiration?

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

Capitol Imaging Services saved a person $400 on their ultrasound scan

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

Learn more about breast ultrasound

Capitol Imaging Services provides information about an exam commonly performed as part of our women’s imaging portfolio: breast ultrasound. Ultrasound is safe and painless, and produces pictures of the inside of the body using sound waves. During a breast ultrasound examination the sonographer performing the test may use Doppler techniques to evaluate blood flow or lack of flow in any … Read More

What is deep vein thrombosis?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been defined as a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein located deep inside your body. A blood clot is a clump of blood that’s turned to a solid state. Deep vein blood clots typically form in your thigh or lower leg, but they can also develop in other areas … Read More

What you should know about ultrasound

Most people have heard of ultrasound and associate this common imaging procedure with pregnancy. What many people don’t realize is that ultrasounds can be used to detect a wide variety of medical issues. Actually, ultrasound is an imaging technology that is very diverse, having uses and applications for a variety of health and medical conditions outside of pregnancy. Ultrasound: the … Read More

Diagnostic Imaging Services joins the Capitol Imaging Services affiliate network

As Diagnostic Imaging Services (DIS) approaches its fifth decade of service to the greater New Orleans and southeast Louisiana regions, change often is inevitable. The only thing that stays the same is change. Over the past year, DIS has undergone its own changes in going from its own imaging organization into one that is larger and stronger. We’ve done that … Read More

What is 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 area in the breast … Read More

DIS women’s imaging: quality of care in an efficient environment

As the largest independently-owned outpatient imaging organization in Lousiana, DIS provides a short overview of the depth and breadth of our women’s health imaging portfolio. While one local health system once touted that they performed over 2,500 mammograms in one year, DIS often performs that many IN ONE MONTH! From mammography to tomosynthesis to breast biopsy, no other outpatient provider … Read More

Learn more about ultrasound

Diagnostic Imaging Services has expanded upon information regarding common ultrasound exams we perform at our locations. Ultrasound is safe and painless, and produces pictures of the inside of the body using sound waves. Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, involves the use of a small transducer (probe) and ultrasound gel placed directly on the skin. High-frequency sound waves … Read More

How much difference in price is there between hospital imaging and DIS?

It can be a complicated and somewhat cumbersome task to try to find and then understand the information published by the federal government regarding reported submitted charges for certain imaging procedures by local hospitals. However, that’s why DIS is here to try to simplify the information so you can make informed choices! If you visit the Centers for Medicare and … Read More

Average submitted charge for ultrasound? Compare here…

As part of overall health care reform, there is more information being published for public consumption that identifies charges by hospitals across the country for various services, both inpatient and outpatient. Unfortunately, often times this information is convoluted, difficult to find and even more difficult to understand. That’s where we come in. Below is information reported by the Centers for Medicare & … Read More

Ultrasound — it’s just not for pregnant women!

Has your doctor prescribed and ultrasound and you are wondering what it is? Do you think the only time ultrasound is used is during pregnancy? According to the Mayo Clinic, “an ultrasound is an imaging method that uses high frequency sound waves to produce relatively precise images of the structure within your body.” Ultrasound is non-invasive and provides valuable information … Read More

Hmmmm… interesting

Recently, a person living in the greater New Orleans area used our online appointment request tool to send us an email to have us contact her to schedule an ultrasound. The interesting thing? This person works for a local hospital. Even hospital employees know the advantages of visiting Diagnostic Imaging Services. Say YES. Spend LESS.

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

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

The evolution of premium ultrasound arrives at Diagnostic Imaging Services

At the Diagnostic Imaging Services northshore locations in Covington and Slidell, two Philips Affiniti 70G premium ultrasound units have been installed. Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. It is used to help diagnose the causes of pain, swelling and infection in the body’s internal organs and to examine a baby in pregnant … 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

What is ultrasound of the kidneys?

A kidney ultrasound is a noninvasive (the skin is not pierced) procedure used to assess the size, shape, and location of the kidneys. Ultrasound technology allows quick visualization of the kidneys and related structures from outside the body. Ultrasound may also be used to assess blood flow to the kidneys. A kidney ultrasound uses a handheld probe called a transducer … Read More