Seeing more than meets the eye is the goal of the radiology department at Big Bend Regional Medical Center. Whether it’s an ultrasound or X-ray, taking a picture of what’s happening inside your body can help physicians reach the proper diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
With care and compassion, the medical staff of our radiology department has several different modalities with which to assist your physician in the diagnosis of any problems you might have.
Radiography x-rays are done in the department, in surgery, or in the patients' room when necessary. The amount of radiation is always kept to a minimum. X-rays view bones and help physicians examine the chest. Our equipment allows physicians to perform both radiography and fluoroscopy procedures and allows them to confidently diagnose conditions in the chest, spine, bone, digestive tract, uterus and bladder. With the added benefit of fluoroscopy capability, DRMC offers physicians the ability to study flow or motion in patients when necessary. Similar to an X-ray “movie,” fluoroscopy can include imaging of dynamic processes such as throat abnormalities.
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.
We uses a Philips Brilliance 10-Slice CT scanner. This scanner produces fast, high resolution scans with a low radiation dose. It gives detailed images displayed in the most appropriate format, including 3D, which helps to speed diagnosis and enhance treatment planning.
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.
If you need a X-ray, CT scan or ultrasound, you can feel confident in Big Bend's technology and our trained team.
Early detection is key!
When it comes to disease, early diagnosis is key to effective treatment. If you need imaging, you can get it close to home at Big Bend Regional Medical Center. To see how our imaging services can help you, contact the director at 432-837-0205.
Randy Ballard
Big Bend Regional Medical Center
2600 N Hwy 118
Alpine, TX 79830
432-837-3447