Abdominal Imaging Modalities

Fluoroscopy

Gastrointestinal and urologic fluoroscopic imaging is provided on a daily basis at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Patient history and specific clinical questions help us in optimizing each examination. Placement and care of feeding tubes can be scheduled for both inpatients and outpatients. Easily accessible outpatient feeding tube service enables many of our patients to live at home while dealing with complex medical problems.

Modified barium swallows to assess oropharyngeal difficulties are performed, but are scheduled in conjunction with the Speech Therapy Department. More extensive examinations are available to assess oropharyngeal difficulties in conjunction with the Speech Therapy department at The Drake Center. Please contact the Speech Therapy department for assistance in scheduling modified barium swallows.

Ultrasound

There are state-of-the-art GE ultrasound units throughout the division. Ultrasound service is provided at University of Cincinnati Medical Center, as well our affiliated outpatient centers. Ultrasound guided procedures are available at University of Cincinnati Medical Center on a daily basis, and there is direct physician supervision of all examinations performed at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center location. Intra-operative assistance is also available upon request. 3-D imaging is utilized for examinations such as IUD localization. Cine loop images of relevant anatomy are also available for physician review in the McKesson PACS system.

Many ultrasound procedures require some special patient preparation. Most abdominal exams are substantially improved in quality when patients have been npo for at least 4 hours, and most pelvic exams require patients to drink fluids to fill the urinary bladder prior to the exam. Daily telephone consultation is available to answer questions regarding proper patient preparation.

CT

State-of-the-art multi-detector spiral CT is performed at all facilities. CT angiography with 2 and 3-D reconstructions are performed daily in a dedicated 3D lab. Multiplanar reconstructions are routinely performed for CT Angiography and CT Urography, but can be added to any exam on request. The 3D lab technologists are available to help referring physicians create customized reconstructions.

All CT scans interpreted at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center are protocoled individually. Providing complete patient history is recommended to assist in proper protocol design and selection. Also, any patient history of prior contrast reaction, diabetes medications, and history of renal dysfunction are helpful to optimize image protocols. If patients have a history of or risk for renal failure, recent BUN and creatinine are recommended. In addition to routine abdominal imaging, specialty examinations such as CT angiography, dedicated liver and pancreas imaging, and CT urography are available. Telephone consultation is available to optimize patient preparation and for any special requests.

MRI

High field MRI imaging is offered at both 1.5T and 3.0T including a wide short bore 1.5T MR scanner which allows imaging of larger and claustrophobic patients. As with CT imaging, all abdominal and pelvic magnetic resonance exams are individually protocoled by physicians. Providing complete clinical information, including any history of renal dysfunction, is helpful for optimizing protocols, and telephone consultation is available. Many examinations include the use of intravenous gadolinium, and some patient preparation and screening for renal dysfunction may be necessary. BUN, creatinine, and GFR are recommended when there is concern about renal function.

Areas of interest and emphasis at University of Cincinnati Medical Center include:

• Maternal-fetal imaging
• Prostate imaging and spectroscopy
• Liver imaging
• Biliary and pancreatic imaging
• MR guided prostate biopsies

Find additional information on Body Imaging Fellowships.