Imaging Services

CT Scanning for Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. In 1998, there were an estimated 160,000 deaths from lung cancer. The cure rate is only 12% and the 5-year survival rate is only slightly higher. Currently chest x-rays do not identify tumors early enough to change outcomes. Unfortunately, almost 85% of lung cancers are now discovered at a late stage, due to lack of preventative imaging measures. At Executive Medicine of Texas, body scan patients are screened for lung cancer using CT technology as part of their Platinum Level Physical.

Recent studies show that high-speed CT scanners greatly improve the likelihood of detection of malignant disease, 4 times higher than that of chest x-rays. Of those detected, 87% were found at stage I. When stage I cancer is identified and treated, the 5 year survival rate can be as high as 70%. C.T. screening requires less than 20 seconds of scanning time and requires no intravenous contrast material.

CT Scanning for Heart Disease

Every 20 seconds someone has a heart attack and almost 1/3 of those people have had no prior symptoms. Calcium scoring can identify as much as 93% of these “at risk” patients before the heart attack occurs. Anatomic studies have established that coronary vessel calcification is associated with atherosclerotic disease. The more extensive the calcification, the more frequent and more severe the degree of stenosis of the coronary vessels. With advanced CT technology, cardiovascular disease can be detected, as well as identification of calcification of the arteries.

Virtual Colonoscopy

Almost all colon cancer starts as a polyp. If caught early, colon cancer can be cured. Virtual Colonoscopy is a great screening tool for colon cancer and other abnormalities. Unlike the optical colonoscopy, there is no sedation and you can return to work that afternoon.

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Carotid Doppler

Carotid doppler screens for vascular disease and stroke risk. It looks at the body's two carotid arteries, which are located on each side of the neck and carry blood from the heart to the brain, provides information about these blood vessels and the blood flowing through them. If you are at risk for a stroke, efforts can be made now to prevent it.