Radiology Services

Health Resources:

Breast Health Getting regular checkups and performing breast self-exams are two important ways to keep your breasts healthy.

Cancer Learn how to become a proactive patient. Understand your treatment choices. Get the latest news on advances in cancer. If you or a loved one is facing cancer, you’ll want to explore the Cancer Knowledgebase, with separate sections on more than 60 types of the disease.

Heart Disease Heart disease is the biggest health risk Americans face today. If you don’t have heart disease now, you can help prevent it. If you’ve already been diagnosed with heart disease, you can keep it from getting worse. Here are the tools to get you started.

Osteoporosis One in every two women older than 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture at some point in her life. You can reduce your risk for osteoporosis by getting regular weight-bearing exercise and boosting your calcium and vitamin D intake.

The Radiology Department at Scenic Mountain Medical Center (SMMC) is a full-service department that operates 24-hours-a-day/7-days-a-week to better accommodate our patients and staff physicians. Our friendly and caring staff consists of a total of 15 ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) / TDHMRT (Texas Department of Health Medical Radiologic Technologist) professionals with a combined experience of over 100 years. Among these technologists are an ARRT registered Mammographer, two ARRT registered Computed Tomography Technologists, an ARRT registered MRI Technologist and a NMTCB Registered Nuclear Medicine Technologist.

Scenic Mountain Medical Center improves image storage and access with the newly installed picture archiving and communication system (PACS).
Read more.

Our range of services include:

• General Diagnostic and Fluoroscopic Radiology - The Philips Radiographic/Digital Fluoroscopic room allows us to watch organs and organ systems while they are functioning. The system is much faster and more efficient than the older analog fluoroscopy equipment.
   
• Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to evaluate organs in the body and commonly to examine fetal development. Detailed images are returned in real time, making ultrasound particularly helpful for guiding minimally invasive procedures—such as needle biopsies—and for visualizing organ, blood vessel and tissue movement.
   
• Nuclear medicine uses tiny amounts of radioactive materials to perform heart studies and diagnose bone cancer, bone infections and stress fractures. The radioactive materials are introduced into the patient’s body by injection, swallowing or inhalation. Special cameras that work with computers detect the radioactive materials to provide sharp images of the body. SMMC uses a Philips Medical Systems Forte Dual Head Nuclear Medicine Camera with increased imaging capabilities.
   
• Mammography, a special X-ray of the breasts, can detect lumps and other forms of breast disease that may be too small to be felt even by an experienced examiner. Early detection affords the best opportunity for a cure. (Texas Department of Health Accredited and FDA Certified)
   
• Computerized tomography (CT) creates detailed images of your body’s internal organs using X-rays with computer technology. The doughnut-shaped scanner uses radiation to create cross-sectional images, or “slices,” that help physicians detect tumors, heart disease or internal injuries or bleeding. A CT scan may require that you not eat or drink if you have to drink a contrast liquid—which helps healthcare providers see body structures more clearly—or have a contrast dye injected before the test. The exam usually lasts less than an hour, including any preparations, though the actual scan may only last a minute or two. SMMC uses a Philips Medical Systems Brilliance 16 slice CT scanner. This scanner allows us to scan patients faster and more efficiently than ever and provides more imaging options. 
   
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of your head, body, muscles and blood flow. Because an MRI provides a clear view of internal organs and tissues, it helps physicians diagnose injuries and other health conditions much faster than with other technologies. In June 2008, SMMC's MRI equipment was upgraded to allow for Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) which provides a detailed view of the blood vessels. This is extremely useful in detecting stroke and blood vessel diseases. For patients who have pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators, a computed tomography (CT) scan may be a safer imaging tool. (The devices may malfunction during an MRI scan).
   
• Bone densitometry measures the density of the spine, hip and other bones—the most frequent sites of fracture—and compares it to an established norm to produce a score. This number helps your physician determine your risk of developing osteoporosis. A bone density test is a relatively simple, quick and painless way to determine your bone health. Click here to download our Bone Densitometry brochure.
   
• Echocardiogram is a test in which ultrasound is used to examine the heart, which provides the doctor with important information about the size of the chambers of the heart and the pumping function of the heart.

Mario J. Castillo, M.D., Ph.D., Board Certified Radiologist, is our medical director.

Early detection is key!

When it comes to disease, early diagnosis is key to effective treatment. The advanced technology available at SMMC’s radiology department, along with the experience and dedication of our trained medical staff, can help you feel confident about the level of care you receive here, close to home. For more information, please call 432-268-4880 or Contact Us through our website.

Vivian_Gordon@chs.net