Imaging services
Imaging exams allow radiologists (imaging specialists) and physicians to view structures and activity within the body. This is vital for diagnosis but also for treatment, to ensure your care plan is working as it should.
Diagnostic imaging in Lake Worth, Florida
Our imaging department is staffed with highly trained radiologists and other imaging specialists who are committed to providing outstanding services.
With decades of education and experience, the HCA Florida JFK Hospital radiologists use a personalized, patient-focused approach to your care. Our dedication to exceptional care is one of the reasons we have been acknowledged as an accredited facility by the American College of Radiology.
Services offered at our imaging center
Our services encompass all methods of advanced imaging, including:
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan — CT scans consist of a series of detailed X-rays to produce a cross-sectional 3D-image of soft tissue bodily structures (e.g. tendons, ligaments, fat and connective tissue). Our skilled radiologists have the ability to review CT scans as a whole or individually to obtain as much information as possible. Available 24/7 in our facility, CT scans offer extremely accurate results allowing swift diagnosis and treatment.
- Ultrasound — Noninvasive ultrasounds emit high-frequency waves that reflect as echoes when they reach solid surfaces, producing a moving image. Ultrasounds play a pivotal role in patient screening and vascular disease follow up. Ours is one of the few hospitals in the area offering 24/7 ultrasound imaging.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — MRI is used by radiologists to visualize internal structures that are extremely detailed in nature. A magnetic field is used to produce high-quality images in multiple planes.
- X-ray — X-rays use electromagnetic energy beams to produce images, helping to diagnose tumors or injuries to bone. Routine diagnostic X-rays for outpatients are scheduled seven days a week.
- Nuclear medicine — Nuclear medicine is an imaging specialty that uses radioactive substances to diagnose and treat diseases in the body. Nuclear medicine exams include bone scans, gastric emptying times, thyroid scans, hepatobiliary scans, GI bleed studies and cardiac SPECT scanning.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan — A PET scan allows your radiologist to view functions within the body. A radioactive tracer is often ingested to highlight certain internal structures so they can be identified easily during the imaging procedure.
- Interventional radiology — Interventional radiology is a minimally invasive medical procedure. It uses the guidance of imaging technologies and is often used in place of open surgical procedures.
- Mammography — Mammography uses low-dose X-ray imaging to examine breast tissue, helping to diagnose and treat breast-tissue anomalies, such as tumors, breast cancer and other breast diseases. Our mammography and breast health imaging services include 3D tomosynthesis, automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) and molecular breast imaging.
- Bone density testing — The dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan is an X-ray scan that uses a small amount of radiation to take pictures of different bones. These pictures are used to measure the density of the bones at the spine, hip and forearm. Measurements of the spine and hip are called central DEXA, and measurements of the arms or legs are called peripheral DEXA. Bone density scanning is helpful in the diagnosis of osteoporosis.
Heart screening and imaging services
Through our cardiology program, we offer comprehensive heart screening and imaging services. With advanced cardiac testing techniques, we can diagnose heart disease and other cardiac conditions in their earliest stages.
Neuroimaging services
We also perform specialized imaging services for the brain and spine as part of our full-service neurological care. As part of this, we employ specially trained neuroradiologists with additional years of training in neuroimaging techniques.
We also offer an advanced neuroangiography surgical suite. Here, minimally invasive imaging procedures can be performed 24/7.
Specialized gastrointestinal (GI) imaging
Our hospital is one of the only hospitals in Palm Beach County, Florida, that performs the highly specialized endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) procedure. The EUS allows physicians to view the structures behind the walls of the GI tract. EUS is helpful in identifying lesions, masses and enlarged lymph nodes.
EUS can be used in combination with fine needle aspiration (FNA) to obtain a tissue or cell sample to aid in diagnosis. Both EUS and EUS with FNA are proven, valuable tools in the assessment and diagnosis of GI, pancreatic and pulmonary diseases.
An EUS may be used to:
- Accurately identify the stage of GI cancer, which is critical in determining proper treatment methods
- Determine the depth and spread of cancer to adjacent tissues and lymph nodes
- Evaluate for tumors in adjacent organs, such as the pancreas, liver and gallbladder
- Diagnose diseases of the internal organs, such as chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cysts
- Detect bile duct abnormalities, including stones and tumors
- Assess submucosal lesions (masses) that may be hiding in the lining of the GI tract
- Study the muscles of the lower rectum and anal canal in evaluating reasons for fecal incontinence