Ask A Radiologist
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a doctor’s order is required. Please fax your order to 512-501-3841.
We understand that healthcare is expensive, and we want to make it affordable for you.
We pride ourselves on having the lowest imaging cost in Austin. The costs for specific medical imaging tests, treatments, screenings, and procedures can be obtained by contacting our office after we have a better understanding of the procedure required by your doctor or medical facility.
Yes, please call 512-501-3840 to schedule an appointment.
It depends on your procedure. When we call to confirm your appointment the day before, we will tell you a time of arrival.
Medical professionals use ultrasound to examine organs and soft tissue structures. Ultrasound can often be used to detect disease or exclude pathology and diagnose disease within the vascular system.
Images are analyzed and interpreted by our radiologists, a signed report will be faxed over to the ordering physician. Your physician will go over the results. Results typically take 2 – 3 business days. STAT orders are same day results.
Click here for a video demonstration from Central Park Imaging.
There are no known risks or side effects with ultrasound.
You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Depending on your exam, you may be asked to avoid eating or drinking for a predetermined amount of time.
Abdominal ultrasound: Nothing to eat or drink, eight hours prior to your exam.
Renal ultrasound: Nothing to eat eight hours prior to your exam. Please drink 20 oz. of water one hour prior to your exam.
Pelvic ultrasound: Drink 32 oz. of water one hour prior to your exam. You do not need to be fasting for this exam.
Each modality images differently. Sometimes it is necessary to image with different modalities for the best diagnosis. Your doctor will determine what type of exam is needed.
Medical professionals use ultrasound to examine organs and soft tissue structures. Ultrasound can often be used to detect disease or exclude pathology, assist with procedures such as biopsies, and diagnose disease within the vascular system.
A computerized tomography (CT) scan, commonly known as a CAT scan, combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around your body and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images (slices) of the bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues inside your body. CT scan images provide more detailed information than plain X-rays do.
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is a diagnostic procedure which allows physicians to see detailed images of the internal structures of your body without using radiation. It uses a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer to scan your body.
A lumbar MRI scan uses energy from strong magnets to create pictures of the lower part of the spine. An MRI of the lumbar spine shows the bones, disks, spinal cord, and spaces between the vertebral bones where the nerves pass through.
Before an MRI exam, eat normally and continue to take your usual medications, unless otherwise instructed. You will typically be asked to change into a gown and to remove things that might affect the magnetic imaging, such as jewelry, metal objects, and electronic devices.
The three major differences between an MRI and CT are:
An MRI exam is at least 25 minutes, whereas a CT exam is under 5 minutes.
An MRI machine has a long cylindrical enclosed tube; a CT scanner is a large open “donut”. Claustrophobia is minimal with a CT scan.
An MRI machine uses a large magnet and radio waves to produce images; a CT scanner uses ionizing radiation.
The loudness of an MRI scan depends on the specific procedure and the machine used. MRI noises can range anywhere from 65 decibels to 130 decibels. They can often go above 90 to 100 decibels. We provide the patient ear protection to wear during our exam.
It depends on the exam. For a lower extremity exam ( knee, foot, ankle) the patient’s head is out of the MRI tube. For a brain or spine exam, the patient’s head will be inside the tube.
Our site reflects the most common radiology procedures that we do, but it does not describe all of our procedures. New procedures are added to our office on a regular basis but many procedures have more than one name. Please call 512-501-3840 or ask your question via our Contact Us page.
An MRI is used to help detect the presence of diseases or provide more detailed and accurate information. Your doctor will help determine whether you need an MRI and what diagnosis you would receive after having an MRI.
An MRI can be very useful for detecting the presence (or absence) of diseases throughout the body. They can also be used to provide additional information about problems that are seen on an x-ray, CT scan or ultrasound. They are also valuable for providing more detailed and accurate information for all the body structures. Your doctor will tell you when an MRI would be helpful or necessary.
Your x-ray will be read by our radiologists and they will communicate with your doctor.
