Imaging services

Our doctors use the latest technology in ultrasound imaging, including Doppler ultrasounds, to visualize blood flow. Ultrasounds use sound waves that bounce off surfaces in the body to produce images of soft tissues. We perform several specialized types of ultrasound imaging, including:

• Abdominal ultrasounds
• Breast ultrasounds, including 3D breast ultrasounds
• Echocardiograms
• Kidney ultrasounds
• Obstetric ultrasounds, including 3D and 4D
• Peripheral vascular ultrasounds
• Transvaginal ultrasounds
• Vascular ultrasounds

Diagnostic tests and procedures don't have to be frightening for children. Trident Health's radiology team is trained to complete imaging testing on your child in a compassionate environment. For most exams, parents can stay in the room with their child if desired. This can decrease anxiety and comfort parents and may make children more calm and cooperative. We offer a full range of diagnostic imaging services for newborns to young adults including CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasounds and X-rays.

Our radiologists use CT scans, a specialized sequence of X-rays, to create cross-sectional pictures of the body's targeted area. These "virtual slices" offer clear, high-resolution images of conditions like bone fractures, heart disease, spine injuries and kidney stones. We can provide these pictures using cardiac, coronary, chest, lung and bone CT scans.

Low-dose CT imaging

Our imaging specialists are committed to using the lowest effective radiation dosage. Our low-dose CTs (LDCTs) use less radiation than a standard CT. This means fewer visits for treatments and fewer risks for patients. Low-dose CTs help evaluate patients for conditions like lung cancer and coronary heart disease.

An MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create images without exposure to radiation. Traditional MRI exam environments are clinical and somewhat imposing. Trident Health System offers the Magnetic Resonance (MR) “Patient Experience” suites at Trident Medical Center and Summerville Medical Center.

Our innovative suite ‘humanizes’ radiology by softening the clinical look, feel and sound of a traditional MRI exam. Patients choose from artfully selected combinations of mood-lighting, visual scenery and music before the MRI exam.

This experience gives patients control over their environment and allows them to calm down. Our technologists are able to perform brain, breast and cardiac MRIs using this technology.

Cardiovascular imaging is an effective way to evaluate and treat a wide array of heart and vascular conditions. Our specialists use imaging to show abnormalities in heart muscle function or problems with blood vessels. Some of the heart screening and imaging services we offer include:

• 64-slice CT scanner — A noninvasive, specialized scanner that creates a three-dimensional image of cardiac anatomy and blood flow.
• Angiograms — This test offers X-ray images of blood vessels and the heart.
• Cardiac CT angiogram (CCTA) — This scan is performed on a 64-slice CT scanner. It helps visualize the coronary arteries, assessing narrowing and atherosclerosis. CCTAs also allow cardiologists to evaluate atypical chest pain and unusual coronary arteries. Also, CCTAs help surgeons plan for complex cardiac surgery.
• Echocardiograms — This exam uses sonar (radar) technology to create a picture of the heart. Pediatric echocardiograms are available at Summerville Medical Center.
• Electrocardiograms (EKG, ECG) — An EKG or ECG provides pictures of the heart's electrical activity. 
• Magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) — An MRA shows the current conditions of blood vessels.

We use imaging procedures to diagnose conditions of the brain, spine and nervous system. Radiologists obtain images of these structures to help doctors form treatment plans for neurological conditions with a greater level of attention and detail. The imaging procedures you can access include:

• Electroencephalograms (EEGs) — Detects electrical activity in the brain.
• Electromyograms (EMGs) — Measures muscle response when nerves are stimulated.
• Myelography — An imaging procedure combining contrast dyes with x-rays to determine injuries in the spinal cord.

We are committed to offering women in the Greater Charleston area access to high-quality breast imaging services. Our breast screening services help patients stay informed on the status of their breast health or detect signs of breast cancer as early as possible.

Trident Health System offers breast imaging at Trident Breast Care Center, Summerville Breast Center, and Moncks Corner Medical Center. In fact, our Trident Breast Care Center has been awarded the American College of Radiology's recognition for Breast Center Excellence due to our high-quality methods and standards of practice. We offer:

• Bone density scans (DEXA)
• Breast MRIs
• Breast ultrasounds
• Digital mammograms
• Stereotactic breast biopsies
• Ultrasound-guided (US-guided) core biopsies

Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radioactive material to provide information about an organ's function and structure. Nuclear medicine imaging makes use of radioactive injections or tracers targeted to a specific area of the body. The tracer (radiopharmaceutical) allows radiologists to form images using a special camera that detects radiation.

Nuclear medicine is often used to help detect various types of cancer, heart disease, neurological conditions and other disorders.

Positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT)

A PET/CT scan combines a PET scan and CT scan into one procedure. PET scans allow radiologists to see body functions. In contrast, CT scans enable doctors to see structures like veins, arteries, organs and lymph nodes.

Our radiology team introduces a tracer or radiopharmaceutical into the bloodstream by mouth, inhalation or injection during a PET scan. The tracer helps pinpoint the location and extent of irregularities within the body and diagnoses a wide range of conditions.

X-rays are one of the oldest and most commonly used forms of imaging. X-ray pictures use radiation exposure to create images and are useful for showing internal structures of the body. We use X-ray technology to assist in diagnosing various conditions. We offer bone scans, angiograms and mammograms.

Interventional radiology is a specialty within radiology that uses imaging to guide instruments to diagnose and complete minimally invasive surgical procedures. Our radiologists are specially trained to perform procedures like biopsies, medicine delivery and tumor removal. Interventional radiology procedures also mean faster recovery for patients.

Our radiologists are trained to perform common procedures, including:

Interventional radiology is available at the following Trident Health System locations:

• Trident Medical Center 9330 Medical Plaza Drive, N. Charleston, SC 29406
• Summerville Medical Center 295 Midland Parkway, Summerville, SC 29485