Home
Contact Us
DCH Babies
Directions
Employment
On-line Bill Pay
IMAGING/RADIOLOGY

PET/CT IMAGING
Dearborn County Hospital is pleased to be one of only a small number of facilities in the Tri-state to have an in-hospital, dedicated PET/CT scanner.  This form of medical imaging is the gold standard in the detection and staging of cancer.

DCH’s dedicated PET/CT scanner, the General Electric Discovery ST, allows the hospital to perform specific scans to diagnose almost all common forms of cancer.  In numerous instances, PET/CT is able to detect cancerous activity in areas that appear normal on a CT or an X-ray.  It is valuable not only in detecting an initial lesion but also in identifying secondary lesions and determining if the cancer has metastasized and into which areas of the body.

Statistics show that the results of a PET/CT scan will alter a cancer patient’s intended course of treatment in a significant number of cases.  That’s because the physician has an abundance of information including the size, shape, location, form and density of the tumor and any metastatic activity or additional cancers.

A PET/CT scanner combines the image derived from a dedicated PET scan with that of a CT scan in a single examination.  PET scans distinguish normal from abnormal metabolic activity while CT scans identify the body’s anatomy.  The union of these two modalities makes PET/CT scanning ideal for use in the diagnosis and staging of cancers.

A radiopharmaceutical tracer, FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose), is used in conjunction with PET scans to “light up” cancerous lesions or other suspected abnormalities in the body.  Abnormal cells use or metabolize a greater amount of this oxygen-sugar product than normal cells so more of the tracer is left in the abnormal cells.  This in turn causes these abnormal cells to “light up” on a PET image.  A CT scan utilizes a sequence of X-rays to create highly detailed, computer generated images that show location, size, shape, form and density.

For additional information on Dearborn County Hospital’s PET/CT imaging program, please call the DCH Nuclear Medicine Department at 812-537-8104 or 800-676-5572, ext. 8104.


4D MRI OF THE BREAST
The latest diagnostic tool for use in detecting, classifying and staging breast cancer, 4D MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), is now available at Dearborn County Hospital.

MRI of the breast is able to detect lesions that may not be visible on mammograms due to the size or location of the tumor or other factors.  It also better allows for the early detection of multiple lesions in the same or other breast.

Some of the more common clinical indications for the use of MRI of the breast include:

  • problematic mammograms with equivocal or suspicious findings
  • after diagnosis/before surgery assessments to more accurately classify or stage the cancer
  • examination of a new lesion detected in a former breast cancer surgery patient to determine if the new lesion is a recurrence of cancer or a post-operative scar
  • multiple suspected cancerous lesions in one breast or one or more suspected cancerous lesions in both breasts (bilateral)
  • to evaluate the success of treatment, such as chemotherapy or brachytherapy (seeding), administered over a period of time in advance of surgery and to assess the current size and stage of the cancer
  • to determine or verify surgical margins prior to or following a lumpectomy

DCH’s scanner, the General Electric 1.5T EXCITE HD (high definition) VIBRANT Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging System is equipped with numerous features that provide for exceptional quality images including both sagittal (side) and axial (horizontal) views.  It also is capable of simultaneously imaging both breasts.

Currently DCH offers MRI of the breast as a diagnostic examination, meaning it is not used for the routine screening of healthy, asymptomatic women. 

DCH works in conjunction with the Breast MRI Institute of Flint, Michigan.  The raw data derived from a breast MRI scan at DCH, consisting of approximately 900 images, is sent to the Breast MRI Institute. There the data is processed through specialized computer aided detection systems to produce approximately 4,000 images.  Radiologists at the Institute who specialize in Breast MRI use this extensive collection of images to formulate an interpretation.  This interpretation is then provided to the ordering physician (your doctor) for follow-up.

For more information please call the DCH Imaging/ Radiology Department at 812-537-8105 or 800-676-5572, ext. 8105 and ask to speak to an MRI technologist.


DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY

Dearborn County Hospital uses digital mammography for all screening and diagnostic mammograms.  Digital images allow for better visibility at the skin line, greater image flexibility, shorter exam times, faster results and fewer call backs resulting in less anxiety.

For more information please call the DCH Breast Care Center at 812-537-8383 or 800-676-5572, ext. 8383


LUNG CANCER SCREENINGS
A 20 second, low-dose CT scan can help detect lung cancer before it is visible on a standard X-ray and usually before there are noticeable symptoms.  The screening requires a physician’s order and is recommended for smokers and former smokers with a history of 10 pack-years or greater.  Ten pack-years translates to someone who has smoked one-half pack a day for 20 years, one pack a day for 10 years, two packs a day for five years and so forth.  As a noninvasive procedure, the CT screening requires no advance preparation.  

For more information, please call DCH Radiology Scheduling at 812-532-2611 or 800-676-5572, ext. 2611 or the DCH Harrison Outpatient Center at 513-202-0518 or 877-581-1494.


BONE DENSITOMETRY
Bone Densitometry is the only technology currently available that accurately measures bone mass to predict fracture risk.  It is a quick, convenient and painless method to detect osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis is a disease that develops silently over a number of years, causing bones to lose mass, become porous and fragile and greatly increases the chance of fractures.

For more information, please call DCH Radiology Scheduling at 812-532-2611 or 800-676-5572, ext. 2611.


MRI/OPEN MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging is used by Radiologists to view internal body structures using combinations of radio waves and magnetic fields. MRIs are noninvasive or minimally invasive if a contrasting agent is used.  An MRI utilizes the properties of magnetism to create nondestructive, three dimensional images of soft tissue such as the brain, spinal cord, organs or muscles.

For more information, please call DCH Radiology Scheduling at 812-532-2611 or 800-676-5572, ext. 2611 or the DCH Harrison Outpatient Center at 513-202-0518 or 877-581-1494.


ULTRASOUND
Ultrasound imaging uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of an internal organ or of a fetus developing in the womb.  Ultrasound differs from radiologic imaging in that there is no ionizing radiation involved. 

For more information, please call DCH Radiology Scheduling at 812-532-2611 or 800-676-5572, ext. 2611.

 

Birthing Center | Breast Care Center | Cancer Care | Cardiology | Home Health Care / Hospice
Imaging / Radiology | Outpatient Clinics | Rehabilitative Services
| Vascular Center | Return to Home

DCH Credit Union
Employee Access
Physician Meeting Schedule
Hospital Bylaws
600 Wilson Creek Road, Lawrenceburg, Indiana 47025 | Phone: 812-537-1010 or 800-676-5572 | Hearing Impaired: 812-537-8436 | © 2013 Dearborn County Hospital