🎀 Breast Imaging

Women's Health

Our dedicated breast imaging specialists provide comprehensive preventative screening, advanced diagnostic evaluation, and minimally invasive image-guided tissue biopsies using cutting-edge 3D tomosynthesis and high-frequency ultrasound.

Mammography, diagnostic and screening

Annual screening for asymptomatic detection; diagnostic mammography with focused compression and spot magnification views for palpable lumps or abnormalities.

Stereotactic core biopsy

Computer-guided, vacuum-assisted tissue sampling for suspicious microcalcifications or non-palpable lesions identified on mammography.

Ultrasound guided core biopsy

Real-time targeted tissue sampling of sonographically visible breast masses, cysts, or architectural distortions with minimal recovery time.

Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (FNA)

Gentle needle aspiration for fluid analysis of painful cysts or cellular cytology of indeterminate lymph nodes and masses.

Needle localization for surgery

Pre-operative radioactive seed or wire placement to guide surgical oncologists precisely to non-palpable lesions with millimeter accuracy.

Ductogram (Galactography)

Specialized contrast dye evaluation of the milk ducts to identify intraductal papillomas or causes of unilateral nipple discharge.

Breast Ultrasound

High-resolution supplemental imaging highly recommended for dense breast tissue, characterizing cystic vs. solid palpable masses.

Sentinel lymph node injections

Radiotracer lymphoscintigraphy injections performed before breast surgery to map the lymphatic drainage pathways and sentinel nodes.

Breast MRI

High-sensitivity multiparametric evaluation for high-risk screening (BRCA carriers), staging newly diagnosed cancers, and evaluating silicone implant integrity.

Patient Preparation Guide for Breast Imaging

Do not apply deodorant, antiperspirants, talcum powders, perfumes, or lotions to your breasts or underarms on the day of the exam, as metallic particles in these substances can mimic calcifications on mammography films. Wear a comfortable two-piece outfit.

🧲 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Non-Ionizing Radiation

Utilizing powerful magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to generate exquisite soft-tissue anatomical detail without exposure to X-ray radiation.

MRI (Diagnostic Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Detailed evaluation of brain pathology, spine degeneration, herniated discs, intra-abdominal organs, and pelvic anatomy.

MR arthrogram

Joint injection of dilute gadolinium contrast under fluoroscopic guidance followed by high-resolution MRI to evaluate labral tears, rotator cuff tears, and cartilage integrity in the shoulder, hip, or wrist.

MR angiography (MRA)

Non-invasive vascular imaging visualizing carotid arteries, intracranial Circle of Willis, thoracic/abdominal aorta, and renal vessels for stenosis, aneurysms, or dissections.

MSK, Neuro, Body, Prostate, Rectal Cancer and Breast

Fellowship-read subspecialty protocols: Multiparametric Prostate MRI (PI-RADS scoring), high-resolution Rectal Cancer staging, advanced Neurological functional imaging, and comprehensive musculoskeletal joint analysis.

Patient Safety & MRI Screening

Patients must disclose any metallic foreign bodies, cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators, surgical clips, neurostimulators, cochlear implants, or metallic shrapnel. If IV contrast is required, recent kidney function labs (eGFR) may be required for patients over 60 or with renal disease.

⚡ Computerized Tomography (CT)

Rapid Cross-Sectional

Rapid high-resolution volumetric cross-sectional scanning capturing detailed bone, vessel, and soft tissue anatomy in seconds, guided by low-dose ALARA safety algorithms.

CT (Diagnostic Computed Tomography)

Comprehensive evaluations of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and extremities for acute trauma, infection, kidney stones, and oncology restaging.

Calcium scoring (Coronary Artery Calcium CT)

Non-contrast electrocardiogram-gated cardiac scan quantifying calcified plaque burden in the coronary arteries to calculate your cardiac Agatston score and cardiovascular risk.

CTA (Computed Tomography Angiography)

Intravenous contrast evaluation assessing pulmonary embolism, aortic aneurysms, coronary artery stenosis, peripheral vascular disease, and acute gastrointestinal bleeding.

Low dose lung screening CT (LDCT)

Annual preventative low-dose chest CT screening for current or former heavy smokers meeting USPSTF guidelines, proven to detect lung cancer at early, curable stages.

CT Exam Preparation & Contrast Instructions

For CT scans with oral or IV iodinated contrast, do not eat solid foods for 4 hours prior to your exam. Drink plenty of clear fluids. Inform the technologist if you have asthma, known iodine contrast allergies, or take Metformin for diabetes.

⚛️ Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging

Physiological Function

Molecular diagnostic examinations utilizing trace amounts of radiopharmaceuticals to evaluate organ physiology, cellular metabolic activity, and disease pathways.

Nuclear Medicine Scintigraphy

HIDA scans for gallbladder function/biliary dyskinesia, bone scans for metastatic disease and stress fractures, thyroid uptake and scans, gastric emptying studies, and renal clearance scintigraphy.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) / PET-CT

Metabolic glucose imaging using 18F-FDG for early cancer staging, monitoring treatment response, brain metabolism assessments, and cardiac viability evaluations.

Nuclear Medicine & PET Preparation

For PET scans, avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours prior and follow a strict low-carbohydrate diet the day before. Fast for at least 6 hours prior to injection; water is encouraged. Blood glucose levels must be controlled within specified parameters.

🩸 Vascular Procedures

Endovascular Care

Specialized vascular diagnostics and minimally invasive catheter-directed endovascular interventions performed by our fellowship-trained vascular radiologists.

Arterial angioplasty and stenting

Balloon dilatation and stent deployment to restore vital blood flow in narrowed peripheral, visceral, or renal arteries.

Angiography (Cerebral and Abdominal)

Fluoroscopic digital subtraction angiography (DSA) providing definitive diagnostic mapping of intracranial, visceral, and mesenteric vasculature.

Fistulogram & Dialysis Access Maintenance

Diagnostic imaging and balloon angioplasty / thrombectomy of dialysis arteriovenous (AV) fistulas and grafts to maintain life-saving hemodialysis access.

IVC filter placement & Retrieval

Placement of an inferior vena cava filter to prevent life-threatening pulmonary embolisms in patients who cannot tolerate anticoagulant medications.

Pseudoaneurysm compression and/or thrombin injection

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous thrombin injection to instantly coagulate and repair iatrogenic arterial pseudoaneurysms safely without surgery.

ABI interpretation (Ankle-Brachial Index)

Physiological Doppler interpretation comparing ankle and brachial blood pressures to diagnose peripheral artery disease (PAD) and monitor vascular graft patency.

🩺 Interventional Procedures

Minimally Invasive

Targeted image-guided therapies offering patients faster recovery times, minimal pain, and smaller incisions compared to traditional open surgical procedures.

Percutaneous PEG tube placement

Fluoroscopic or endoscopic image-guided insertion of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tube for long-term nutritional support.

Mediport in chest wall or arm

Subcutaneous port placement in the chest wall or arm per patient preference for comfortable, reliable long-term chemotherapy and IV infusions.

PICC line placement (image guided)

Ultrasound and fluoroscopy-guided peripherally inserted central catheter placement ensuring accurate tip position in the cavoatrial junction.

Central line access (image guided)

Internal jugular, subclavian, or femoral tunneled and non-tunneled catheter placement with continuous real-time guidance to prevent complications.

Intravascular foreign body removal & Catheter repositioning

Endovascular loop snare retrieval of sheared catheter fragments, dislodged coils, or malpositioned central venous lines.

US guided fine needle aspiration thyroid lesions

Precise ultrasound-guided biopsy of suspicious thyroid nodules and cervical lymph nodes for cytopathological evaluation.

Percutaneous biliary interventions

Transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), biliary duct stenting, and stone extraction for obstructive jaundice and strictures.

Tube checks (Port, PEG, Nephrostomy)

Contrast fluoroscopy evaluation to confirm patency, verify proper tip position, and resolve mechanical tube obstruction.

Image-Guided Thoracentesis & Paracentesis

Safe ultrasound-guided aspiration of pleural effusion in the chest or ascitic fluid in the peritoneal cavity for diagnostic analysis and symptomatic relief.

Image-Guided Organ, Soft Tissue & Bone Biopsies

Core needle biopsies of liver, kidney, lung, retroperitoneum, musculoskeletal soft tissues, and skeletal bone lesions for oncological profiling.

Catheter placement for abscess drainage

Percutaneous drain placement to evacuate infected fluid collections and abscesses without requiring exploratory surgery.

Percutaneous access for lithotripsy

Image-guided nephrostomy puncture to establish direct renal access for urologists performing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) stone extraction.

🦴 Orthopedic & Spine Procedures

Joint & Spinal Care

Specialized joint and neuro-axial diagnostic and therapeutic interventional procedures interpreted and performed by fellowship-trained musculoskeletal and spine radiologists.

Lumbar puncture

Fluoroscopic image-guided spinal tap ensuring accurate needle entry into the thecal sac for CSF fluid analysis or intrathecal medication administration.

Myelogram

Intrathecal contrast injection under fluoroscopy followed by high-resolution CT imaging to diagnose spinal canal stenosis, nerve root impingement, or CSF leaks.

Arthrogram

Targeted injection of contrast dye into knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, or wrist joints prior to MRI or CT for cartilage and ligament tears.

Pain relief (Image-Guided Injections)

Fluoroscopic and ultrasound-guided therapeutic corticosteroid and anesthetic joint and bursa injections for osteoarthritis and bursitis.

🌊 Ultrasound (Sonography)

Non-Invasive Sound Waves

High-frequency acoustic wave diagnostics providing real-time evaluation of internal organs, blood flow velocities, and fetal development with zero radiation.

Abdominal Ultrasound

Evaluation of liver parenchyma, gallbladder stones, biliary ducts, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and abdominal aorta for aneurysm.

Pelvic Ultrasound (Transabdominal & Endovaginal)

Comprehensive imaging of the uterus, endometrium, and ovaries for fibroids, cysts, endometriosis, and abnormal uterine bleeding.

OB Pelvic (All Trimesters)

Obstetrical sonography across 1st trimester viability/dating, 2nd trimester anatomical survey, and 3rd trimester growth and biophysical profiles.

Prostate - Including Biopsy or Gold Seed Placement

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided prostate biopsy and fiducial marker (gold seed) placement to guide radiation oncologists during external beam radiation therapy.

Vascular US (Arterial and Venous)

Venous Doppler for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in upper and lower extremities; Carotid artery duplex for stroke risk; Arterial duplex for claudication.

📺 Fluoroscopy (Real-Time X-Ray)

Dynamic Motion Imaging

Continuous real-time X-ray video providing dynamic evaluation of gastrointestinal motility, swallowing function, and urinary tract anatomy.

Barium Swallow / Esophagram

Dynamic assessment of oropharyngeal swallowing mechanics, esophageal peristalsis, strictures, hiatal hernias, and reflux.

UGI with/without small bowel series

Upper gastrointestinal barium examination of the stomach and duodenum, followed by timed small bowel transit studies to detect ulcers or Crohn's disease.

Post bariatric surgical evaluation (including sleeve, band)

Water-soluble contrast swallow study assessing gastric sleeve integrity, gastric bypass pouch volume, absence of leaks, and lap band orientation.

Barium enema

Contrast examination of the large intestine to evaluate diverticulosis, colon polyps, strictures, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)

Contrast evaluation of the kidneys, ureters, and urinary bladder to detect urolithiasis and anatomical anomalies.

Cystourethrograms with/without voiding (VCUG)

Fluoroscopic bladder filling and voiding examination to evaluate vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), neurogenic bladder, or urethral strictures.

Sialogram

Cannulation and contrast injection of Stensen's or Wharton's salivary ducts to diagnose salivary stones (sialolithiasis) or ductal strictures.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

Contrast evaluation of the uterine cavity and fallopian tube patency in patients undergoing fertility investigations.

🩻 Digital X-Rays

Foundational Imaging

High-efficiency digital radiography capturing crystal-clear diagnostic images of the chest, ribs, spine, pelvis, and extremities in seconds with minimal radiation. Available on a walk-in basis with a valid physician's order at our partner facilities.

📊 Osteoporosis Screening (DEXA)

Bone Mineral Densitometry

Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) provides rapid, painless measurement of bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and hips. Essential for diagnosing osteopenia and osteoporosis, calculating fracture risk scores (FRAX), and monitoring response to bone-strengthening therapies.

🩺 Other Specialized Clinical Services

Consultative Care

X-Ray Associates of Port Huron also offers expert second-opinion radiological reviews, multidisciplinary oncology tumor board presentations, and direct clinician-to-radiologist consultations to assist healthcare providers in selecting optimal imaging modalities.

Regional Facilities

Where X-Ray Associates Provides Radiology Services

X-Ray Associates provides radiology services at the following locations:

Ascension River District Hospital

East China Township, MI

Visit Ascension →

Lake Huron Medical Center

Port Huron, MI

Visit Lake Huron →

McKenzie Memorial Hospital

Sandusky, MI

Visit McKenzie →

McLaren Port Huron