FAQs


 

General

Q: How do I get the results of my tests?

A: After your examination the Radiologist will fax the results to your Physician. Your Physician will discuss the results with you.

Q: When will my doctor get my test results?

A: Your doctor will receive the results of your tests within 24-48 hours.

Q: Can I know how much my tests will cost beforehand?

A: When scheduling your appointment your insurance information will be requested. Any co-pay amount required by your insurance company will be due at the time of your examination. There may be an additional amount due if you have not met the deductible on your insurance plan. Feel free to speak to someone in our Billing Department if you have any questions concerning payment.

Q. What if I do not have insurance?

A. Sun Radiology offers cash payment options as well as payment plans. Please speak to someone in our Billing Department to inquire about your payment options.

Q. I was injured at work- do you accept Workers Compensation?

A. Yes, we do accept Workers Compensation. Please let the person scheduling your exam know this when you are making your appointment.

Q: What should I bring with me to the exam?

A: Please bring any prior exam/scan films or CD with you that would be beneficial to the diagnosis of the exam(s) ordered. Bring your insurance card and the amount of your co-payment as indicated on your insurance card. Bring your physicians order or prescription if your doctor has given you one. Please remember 24 hour notice is required for all cancellations.

Q. Can you accommodate for wheel chairs and persons with disabilities?

A: Yes we can accommodate wheel chairs. Please inform the scheduler of any special needs you may require at the time of scheduling and we will make every effort to accommodate you.

Q. Do you accept children?

A: Yes we do. At Sun Radiology we give special care to our smallest patients. Some examinations may require laying still or holding of the breath, so we will discuss this with you when you are scheduling your child for an examination. Parents can stay in the exam room with the child for many of the examinations.

Q. What if I have additional questions?

A. Please feel free to call Sun Radiology at 623-815-8200 and a staff member in our call center will direct you to the person best able to answer your question.


PET/CT

Q: What does PET stand for?

A: PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography. A PET scan is an advamced imaging technology that provides physicians with diagnostic information at a molecular cellular functional level to help support the physician involved in your care and treatment of your specific disease. A PET scan produces images of physiological function while measuring the metabolic changes inside the patient’s body. Today one of PET’s most important purposes is to support the physicians detection of cancer before structural changes are seen through other imaging techniques. A PET scan will detect cancer in normal looking structures before CT or MRI. A PET scan can also detect a protein called Beta Amyloid, that is the hallmark for Alzheimer’s Dementia. A PET scan can also detect normal viable tissue in heart muscle for scar tissue from previous heart atack, thereby giving you the best option for the correct procedure you may need to prevent from future heart attacks.

Q: How should I prepare for my PET?

A: Preparations for the PET/CT Exam are very important. Beginning 24 hours prior to the exam a NO Carbohydrate/NO Sugar Diet must be followed. No strenuous activity or exercise 24 hours prior to your exam. Do not eat or drink (except water) 6 hours prior to the exam. No caffeine, nicotine, sugar or alcohol 12 hours prior to exam. Drink 20 oz. of water the day of the exam. If you are a Diabetic please call our office for special instructions and speak to out PET/CT technologist directly.

Q: How long will my PET take?

A: Expect to spend 2-3 hours for your PET/CT exam.

Q: What is FDG?

A: FDG is a type of glucose (sugar) and is the most commonly radiopharmaceutical used in PET. To begin the PET procedure a small amount of glucose is injected into a patient’s bloodstream. There is no danger to the patient from this injection. Glucose is a common substance that every cell in the body needs in order to function. Diabetic patients need not worry. This sugar that is injected is not metabolized by your body it will have no effect on your blood glucose level. Cancer cells metabolize 18 times more glucose at a higher rate than normal cells, which allows us to detect cancer cells in the body.


MRI

Q: What does MRI stand for?

A: MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is a safe and radiation-free way of getting a look inside the whole body using magnetism and radio waves.

Q: Can anyone get an MRI?

A: Not everyone is an applicant for receiving an MRI; certain medical conditions prevent certain individuals from having an MRI. A few of these medical conditions include; Cardiac Pacemaker, Implantable Cardioverter Difibrillator and Cochlear Ear Implant. There are a few conditions that may prevent someone from receiving an MRI, if you have one of these be sure to inform your physician immediately; Metal located in one or both eyes metal or prosthesis within the body, if you are breast- feeding or you are pregnant, certain types of aneurysm clips, and any other types of electrical or magnetic activated implants.

Q: How should I prepare for my MRI?

A: Be sure to notify our staff if you are claustrophobic or have a cardiac pacemaker shrapnel or metal clips from cerebral aneurysm surgery in your body.For your comfort you may wear your own clothing during the exam as long as there are no zippers, metal buttons or snaps. You may be given a gown to change into for the procedure. Because you are being scanned with a powerful magnet, metal objects such as eyeglasses or earrings and hearing aids should be taken off before the scan begins. Jewelry, wallets, handbags and watches should be stowed in lockers to prevent damage. If you have metal in any part of your body or eyes you should tell the technician before the scan begins.

Q: How long will my MRI take?

A: Usually a typical MRI procedure will take around 30-45 minutes, depending on the specific procedure being performed.


CT

Q: What does CT stand for?

A: CT stands for Computerized Axial Tomography. Sometimes it is referred to as a CAT-Scan. CT uses an x-ray tube that rotates as it takes pictures to produce images of the body.

Q: Can anyone get a CT?

A: Not everyone is an applicant for receiving a CT; certain medical conditions prevent certain individuals from having a CT. Please inform your physician or clinical personnel if you have one of the following at time of schedule; prior allergies to iodine or contrast media injection, diabetes or kidney problems, or you are breast feeding or pregnant.

Q: How should I prepare for my CT?

A: Click on CT on the drop down menu under Preparations on this website.

Q: How long will my CT take?

A: Your CT will vary between 15-45 minutes depending on the specific procedure being performed and the number of body parts being examined.


DaT Scan

Q: What are Parkinsonian syndromes (PS)?

A: Parkinsonian syndromes develop when the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine are impaired. When the dopaminergic system is impaired, the brain may lose the ability to control movement and motor functions. Parkinsonian syndromes include Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy. DaTscan cannot distinguish between these disorders.

Q: What are the symptoms of PS?

A: The most common symptoms are tremor (shaking); slowness of movement; rigidity (stiffness); difficulty with balance; small, cramped handwriting; stiff facial expression; shuffling walk; muffled speech; and depression. Symptoms will vary from person to person.

Q: What is essential tremor (ET)?

A: Essential tremor is a condition of the brain that causes a rhythmic shaking, usually during purposeful or voluntary movement. The condition can affect almost any part of the body, but the trembling occurs most often in the hands while attempting to do simple tasks such as drinking from a glass, tying shoelaces, or writing. Although usually not a dangerous condition, ET can be severe in some people. The condition can occur at any age but is most common in older adults.

Q: Will the DaT scan diagnose my condition?

A: Imaging with DaTscan may—along with other diagnostic tests and clinical assessments— help your doctor determine if your symptoms are due to ET or PS. Your doctor will use these findings in addition to other test results and assessments to make a decision about the best treatment plan for you.

Q: Will my insurance cover DaT scan?

A: All insurance plans are different and vary from carrier to carrier. DaTscan is covered by both Medicare and Medicaid. Before the test, please discuss any further questions about insurance with Sun Radiology’s Authorization Department.


Nuclear Medicine Imaging

Q: What is Nuclear Medicine?

A: Nuclear Medicine is a diagnostic tool where images are created using a special camera that takes pictures of organs and tissues in the body after administration of the radioactive tracer to make them visible.

Q: How long will my nuclear medicine procedure take?

A: A nuclear Medicine procedure generally takes between 30-60 minutes, although depending on the type of study ordered by your physician, the length can vary greatly. Some examinations require multiple visits over a period of days.


Digital Mammography

Q: What is a Mammogram, and how is it performed?

A: A mammogram is a simple radiologic examination using x-rays to produce numerous images of the breasts. A mammogram is performed by compressing the breast between two plastic plates. An X-Ray of the breast is then taken and an image is then produced.

Q: What is digital mammography? How is it different from conventional mammography?

A: Digital mammography is a digital camera which takes electronic images of the breast. It stores the electronic image onto a computer instead of onto film. This allows the data to be enhanced, magnified and easier to read for further evaluation. The major difference between digital and conventional mammography is the camera and quality of the images.

Q: Is the radiation from the Mammogram harmful?

A: Mammography is a safe low dose x-ray procedure. The risk of actually developing breast cancer as a result of this amount radiation is the same as the risk of dying from lung cancer after smoking one-fourth a cigarette.

Q: Can anyone get a mammogram?

A: Screening mammography is recommended for females starting at the age of 35-40, and yearly after the age of 40. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or there is a possibility you might be pregnant, please inform your physician or technologist.

Q: How should I prepare for my Mammogram?

A: Click on Mammography on the drop down menu under Preparations on this website.

Q: How long will my mammogram take?

A: Your mammogram procedure will take between 15-30 minutes.


Ultrasound

Q: What does an ultrasound study do?

A: An ultrasound study sends sound waves into the body that bounce back to a device called a transducer to produce images of the body.

Q: How should I prepare for my Ultrasound?

A: Click on Ultrasound on the drop down menu under Preparations on this website.

Q: How long will my ultrasound take?

A: The length of your ultrasound will vary between the types of procedure being performed. Abdomen, gallbladder, kidney, pelvis, breast, thyroid and testicular procedures take around 30 minutes or less. Obstetrical procedures take approximately 45
minutes. Doppler exams last between 45-60 minutes.


X-Ray

Q: What is an x-ray and how does it work?

A: An X-Ray is the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging. The X-Ray produces images of the body by passing small, highly controlled amounts of radiation through the body; it captures the resulting shadows onto a photographic film.

Q: How should I prepare for my x-ray?

A: Click on x-ray on the drop down menu under Preparations on this website.

Q: How long will my X-RAY take?

A: Usually x-ray procedures only take 15 minutes or less, although depending on the procedure being done the length can vary.

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