Imaging, Radiology, and Radiation
Imaging, Radiology, and Radiation
Imaging, Radiology, and Radiation
Imaging plays a key role in every part of your health. Carilion Clinic is here for you, from routine screenings to diagnosing injuries and treating serious conditions.
When you’re dealing with a health issue, a physical exam and lab tests may not be enough for a diagnosis. Imaging helps us look inside your body to find out what’s really going on.
Our radiologists use advanced imaging tools to care for patients of all ages, from newborns to older adults. Our skilled team includes radiologists with training in many subspecialties. They work alongside our expert technologists to provide safe, precise, and effective care.
We offer a wide range of imaging tests, interventional procedures, and radiation treatments. We use the latest research and technology to guide each of our imaging tests.
Whether you need a screening, an image-guided biopsy, or cancer treatment, we’re here to help you get the answers and care you need.
Our team uses many kinds of scans to look at bones, organs, soft tissue, and blood flow. Whether you need a screening test, a detailed scan or image-guided care, our team chooses the safest, most accurate option for your needs.
Types of imaging tests include:
- X-ray: This is a quick test that uses a small amount of radiation to create black-and-white images of bones and dense tissue.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan: This is a fast scan that takes many X-rays to build a 3-D image. CTs help find problems quickly, especially in emergencies.
- Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves and a hand-held probe to make real-time images. Ultrasound doesn’t use radiation.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This scan uses magnets and radio waves to take very detailed pictures. MRI doesn’t use radiation but may take longer than other scans.
- Nuclear medicine scan: This test uses small amounts of radioactive material to see how organs and tissues work. It can help detect disease or guide treatment.
Imaging Tests
Our team uses many kinds of scans to look at bones, organs, soft tissue, and blood flow. Whether you need a screening test, a detailed scan or image-guided care, our team chooses the safest, most accurate option for your needs.
Types of imaging tests include:
- X-ray: This is a quick test that uses a small amount of radiation to create black-and-white images of bones and dense tissue.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan: This is a fast scan that takes many X-rays to build a 3-D image. CTs help find problems quickly, especially in emergencies.
- Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves and a hand-held probe to make real-time images. Ultrasound doesn’t use radiation.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This scan uses magnets and radio waves to take very detailed pictures. MRI doesn’t use radiation but may take longer than other scans.
- Nuclear medicine scan: This test uses small amounts of radioactive material to see how organs and tissues work. It can help detect disease or guide treatment.
We use these different types of imaging tests in many different ways. They can help find illness in healthy people, guide treatment decisions, and track how well care is working. They're also used during treatments, to make them more effective or less invasive.
- Screening tests: Imaging can help find health problems early, before you feel symptoms. These scans play a key role in preventing serious disease or catching it early when treatment works best.
- Diagnostic tests: These scans help us see inside the body to diagnose injury, illness, or other health issues. We use them to diagnose diseases and guide decisions about your care plan.
- Interventional procedures: Interventional radiology uses imaging during minimally invasive procedures. These images help guide tools, place stents, or deliver treatment without large cuts or open surgery.
How Imaging Is Used
We use these different types of imaging tests in many different ways. They can help find illness in healthy people, guide treatment decisions, and track how well care is working. They're also used during treatments, to make them more effective or less invasive.
- Screening tests: Imaging can help find health problems early, before you feel symptoms. These scans play a key role in preventing serious disease or catching it early when treatment works best.
- Diagnostic tests: These scans help us see inside the body to diagnose injury, illness, or other health issues. We use them to diagnose diseases and guide decisions about your care plan.
- Interventional procedures: Interventional radiology uses imaging during minimally invasive procedures. These images help guide tools, place stents, or deliver treatment without large cuts or open surgery.
Learn how we use imaging to screen for disease, guide treatment, and support your care. Explore the different ways imaging helps us diagnose, treat, and monitor health conditions across your body.
- Imaging for Injuries and Pain
- Imaging and Radiology for Veins and Arteries
- Radiation Treatments for Cancer
- Cancer Imaging
- Breast Cancer Screening
- Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening
- Lung Cancer Screening
- Osteoporosis Screening
How Imaging Supports Your Care
Learn how we use imaging to screen for disease, guide treatment, and support your care. Explore the different ways imaging helps us diagnose, treat, and monitor health conditions across your body.
- Imaging for Injuries and Pain
- Imaging and Radiology for Veins and Arteries
- Radiation Treatments for Cancer
- Cancer Imaging
- Breast Cancer Screening
- Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening
- Lung Cancer Screening
- Osteoporosis Screening
Imaging by Body Part
We use specialized tests based on the part of the body we need to see. Our team picks the right tool to find problems, guide care, and track progress. We always work with your safety and comfort in mind.
Brain, Head, and Neck Imaging
Brain, head, and neck scans include imaging tests for screening and diagnosis and for treatment procedures.Breast Imaging
Breast imaging includes 3D mammograms, ultrasound, and MRI. We also do diagnostic tests and treatments, like image-guided biopsy, ablation, and aspiration.Heart, Lung, and Chest Imaging
Advanced imaging tools help us prevent, find, and treat cardiac, pulmonary, and thoracic health issues.Digestive Imaging
The advanced imaging tools, testing, and procedures we use to prevent, diagnose, and treat gastrointestinal tract and gallbladder, liver, and pancreas problems.Urologic Imaging
We offer safe and effective tests and tools to diagnose pain, bladder leakage, or sexual issues and better understand the urinary and male reproductive systems.Reproductive and Gynecologic Imaging
We use tools like ultrasound and image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat pregnancy and gynecological health problems.Imaging Muscles and Bones
Tools to find, diagnose and treat injuries, disease and other health issues in bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles.
Brain, Head, and Neck Imaging
Brain, head, and neck scans include imaging tests for screening and diagnosis and for treatment procedures.Breast Imaging
Breast imaging includes 3D mammograms, ultrasound, and MRI. We also do diagnostic tests and treatments, like image-guided biopsy, ablation, and aspiration.Heart, Lung, and Chest Imaging
Advanced imaging tools help us prevent, find, and treat cardiac, pulmonary, and thoracic health issues.Digestive Imaging
The advanced imaging tools, testing, and procedures we use to prevent, diagnose, and treat gastrointestinal tract and gallbladder, liver, and pancreas problems.Urologic Imaging
We offer safe and effective tests and tools to diagnose pain, bladder leakage, or sexual issues and better understand the urinary and male reproductive systems.Reproductive and Gynecologic Imaging
We use tools like ultrasound and image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat pregnancy and gynecological health problems.Imaging Muscles and Bones
Tools to find, diagnose and treat injuries, disease and other health issues in bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles.
At Carilion, we do more than 600,000 imaging tests each year. We bring you expert teams and advanced tools close to home.
Trusted for safety and quality
Our imaging programs have American College of Radiology accreditation. That means we meet the highest standards for safety, accuracy, and quality in every scan we do.
Imaging close to where you live
We offer 20+ accredited imaging centers across Southwest Virginia. Ask your doctor if you can do your test or procedure at a location that’s closer to your home.
Fast answers after a biopsy
Waiting for test results is stressful. That’s why we aim to give you your biopsy results within 48 hours so you can have answers and take the next steps in your care.
Why Choose Carilion Clinic?
At Carilion, we do more than 600,000 imaging tests each year. We bring you expert teams and advanced tools close to home.
Research and Education
Carilion’s radiology teams work side by side with experts in neurology, oncology, orthopaedics and more. Our students get exposure to a wide range of imaging techniques and clinical challenges.
Research and clinical trials
As a research hospital, Carilion supports sponsored clinical trials in radiology. That means you have access to the latest therapies. Our radiology researchers also lead studies at the forefront of imaging technology.
Radiation technologist education
Carilion’s “Grow Your Own” program helps medical office technicians and limited radiologic technologists become registered radiologic technologists. You’ll earn while you learn, get hands-on experience, and grow your imaging career.
Virginia Tech Carilion Partnership
Through our partnership with the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, our radiology experts lead in advanced imaging. They also train future physician leaders using a patient-centered, research-driven curriculum.
Health and Wellness
STARBURST Study Could Transform Cancer Care
Why Breast Density Matters
Essential Tremor: A Focused Approach
Get Care at Carilion Clinic
Ready to take the next step? Use our tools to find a doctor, search for a nearby location or schedule an appointment. We’re here to help you get the care you need—when and where it works best for you.
Get Care at Carilion Clinic
Ready to take the next step? Use our tools to find a doctor, search for a nearby location or schedule an appointment. We’re here to help you get the care you need—when and where it works best for you.
Get Care at Carilion Clinic
Ready to take the next step? Use our tools to find a doctor, search for a nearby location or schedule an appointment. We’re here to help you get the care you need—when and where it works best for you.
Get Care at Carilion Clinic
Ready to take the next step? Use our tools to find a doctor, search for a nearby location or schedule an appointment. We’re here to help you get the care you need—when and where it works best for you.
