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imaging

• imaging services
  • angiography
  • computerized tomography (CT)
  • DEXA/bone densitometry
  • general radiography/X-Ray
  • MRI (general)
  • MRI (breast)
  • mammography
  • nuclear medicine
  • PET/CT
  • ultrasound
• imaging locations
  • St. Mary's Hospital
  • Memorial Regional Medical Center
  • St. Francis Medical Center
  • Richmond Community Hospital
  • Bon Secours Imaging Center Reynolds Crossing
  • Laburnum Diagnostic Imaging Center
  • Midlothian Imaging Center
  • Bon Secours West End MRI
  • St. Francis Watkins Centre
• scheduling a test
• test results
• radiologists
• hours of operation

When you need to take a look inside, look to
Bon Secours.

Bon Secours Richmond Health System was the first in Central Virginia to offer PET/CT, which is a major advance in medical imaging and patient care.

As the name implies, PET/CT combines two state-of-the-art technologies in one. PET (Positron Emission Tomography) highlights the abnormal metabolic function of cells. CT (Computed Tomography) then can depict the exact location of the cells with precision and clarity.

Together, these images create a 3-D picture that enables doctors to make better decisions for earlier cancer treatment. PET/CT is also useful for following response to therapy and allows early detection of cancer recurrence, which can increase the likelihood of treatment success.

PET/CT's critical data are used today at Bon Secours facilities in treating various forms of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

Preparing for PET/CT

• Wear warm, comfortable clothing.
• Patient should arrive 30 minutes early to register and have blood sugar checked. Patient’s entire visit to the hospital will last about two hours.
• Eat a low carbohydrate/high protein diet (e.g. meat, cheese, beans, vegetables) the evening before your procedure. Refrain from eating foods high in sugar or desserts.
• Do not eat or drink (except plain water) four hours prior to your procedure. Take medications with water or saltine crackers if food is required.
• Do not exercise the morning of your procedure.
• If you take insulin, it must be taken at least four hours before your procedure.
• You should bring medications for pain, anxiety or claustrophobia, if you need them. If you take medications for anxiety or claustrophobia, If you take medications for anxiety or claustrophobia, please make sure you have someone with you to drive you home after your appointment.
• Materials for this procedure are ordered in advance and are time-sensitive. If you need to cancel or re-schedule, you must call 627-5660 at least 48-hours prior to your appointment time.
• Bring recent CT scan results from facilities outside of the Bon Secours system with you.
• Report to:
  • St. Mary's Hospital: Emergency Department Registration
  • Memorial Regional Medical Center: Outpatient Registration
  • St. Francis Medical Center: Cancer Institute, Radiology/Oncology Department (left of the fireplace)

For more information about any of these procedures, including how to prepare and what to expect, visit www.radiologyinfo.com >>

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