South Shore Hospital's staff of board-certified radiologists is the largest in the region and includes specialists in interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, neuroradiology, and pediatric radiology. We offer patients a full range of diagnostic imaging services including a women's diagnostic imaging center.
New Technologies Enhance Ways to See Inside the Body
A first step in understanding a complex medical condition often involves taking a diagnostic image to see inside the body. Advances in diagnostic imaging now make it possible to identify and treat diseases in ways that were unimaginable as recently as 20 years ago.
South Shore Hospital's comprehensive diagnostic imaging program includes:
Computed Tomography:
Also known as CT or CAT scan, this technique uses a computer to assemble multiple x-ray images of soft tissues or bone into a two-dimensional, cross-sectional image.
Interventional Radiology:
A subspecialty of radiology that uses minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat various medical conditions. The interventional radiologist uses small tools and watches the progress of the procedure through moving x-rays or other images. This technique can be a viable alternative to surgery.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):
A strong magnet is used to create images of tissue based on the number and type of hydrogen atoms within the tissue. Often superior to normal x-ray images, these scans may be used for detecting some cancers or following their progress.
Mammography:
Mammograms, in conjunction with breast examinations by a health professional and monthly breast self-exams, are the best means of detecting breast disease in its earliest stages. South Shore Hospital's Stetson Center offers mammography services in a private, comfortable, and contemporary facility staffed exclusively by women technologists. Each exam is interpreted by two board-certified South Shore Hospital radiologists, and instructions on breast self-exam are also provided. The program is fully accredited by the American College of Radiology and licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the FDA. Please call 781- 624-4536 for more information.
Needle biopsy:
An alternative to surgical biopsy that involves the removal of tissue or suspensions of cells through a small needle for examination. Stereotactic biopsies use a technique that allows objects to be viewed from two different angles to give a perception of depth.
Neuroradiology:
Comprehensive diagnostic imaging of the brain, spine and spinal cord, and the head and neck region.
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Positron Emission Tomography (PET):A technique using short-lived radioactive substances which emit positrons, a highly sensitive way of detecting active tumor tissue. PET is offered at South Shore Hospital in partnership with Shields Health Care. Ultrasound:A technique using high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of the body's organs. Since no ionizing radiation (x-rays) are used, it is ideal for imaging pregnant women and also is used for the neck, abdomen, pelvis and to examine blood vessels in the arms and legs |
PET image (top) and CT image depicting active lung tumor. |