Patient FAQ

As people continue to take a more active role in their healthcare, more patients are interested in proactive screenings that can detect potentially serious medical problems at early stages. Advances in medical imaging have dramatically enhanced the capability for early detection of disease. Larchmont Medical Imaging, therefore, is pleased to provide a broad range of noninvasive screening exams, including:

• Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening

  Screening can detect signs of lung cancer at very early stages. Recommended for current or former smokers.

  Who can benefit from low-dose CT lung cancer screening?

  Candidates for screening must (1) be healthy enough to undergo treatment if diagnosed with cancer and (2) meet the following National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria:

  • Current smokers, age 55–74 (up to age 77 for Medicare recipients), with smoking history of 30 pack years or more
  • Former smokers, age 55–74 (up to age 77 for Medicare recipients), with 30 or more pack years of smoking history, who quit in the past 15 years
  • Age 50 or over with 20 or more pack years of smoking history, plus one additional risk factor (personal history of cancer, family history of lung cancer, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or pulmonary fibrosis, asbestos exposure, radon exposure, or occupational exposure)

  Your doctor may also decide that a screening would be beneficial based on other aspects of your medical history.
  
  To determine pack years, multiply the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day by the number of years smoked. For example, 30 pack years equals one pack per day for 30 years or two packs per day for 15 years.

  Insurance Coverage

  • Medicare covers CT lung scans for patients up to age 77 who also meet the above criteria.
  • Many other insurers cover CT lung scans as a screening exam for certain high-risk patients. Diagnostic CT scans as a follow-up to another exam indicating possible lung cancer may also be covered.
  • Larchmont Medical Imaging offers payment plans for patients who do not have insurance coverage for CT lung scans.

  For More Information

  The NCCN has prepared a thoroughly informative, patient-friendly educational guide to lung cancer screening. Click here to read or download a free copy.

  More information about Low Dose CT scans.

• Bone Densitometry (DEXA)

  An X-ray-based test for signs of bone loss in patients at risk for osteoporosis.

  Who can benefit from bone densitometry?
  Bone density screenings are recommended for:

  • All women age 65 and over
  • Postmenopausal women younger than 65, if they have multiple risk factors for osteoporosis.
  • Women at menopause, to factor the bone density measure into a decision about whether hormone-replacement therapy is advisable
  • Patients (including men and women) who have taken medications that increase osteoporosis risk
  • Patients (including men and women) diagnosed with an overactive parathyroid gland
  • Patients with other risk factors for bone loss as assessed by a primary care provider

  Insurance Coverage

  • Medicare: Covers bone-density testing every two years for women age 65 or over who have risk factors for osteoporosis. Men with one or more osteoporosis risk factors are also covered.
  • Other Insurance: Most insurers cover bone density testing for women with risk factors for osteoporosis. Coverage for men is more variable. Patients should check with their insurers to verify coverage and obtain information.

  More information about Bone Densitometry (DEXA)

• Virtual Colonoscopy (also called CT colonography)

  A comfortable, noninvasive alternative to colonoscopy for patients with risk factors for colon cancer.

  Who can benefit from CT colonography?

  • Patients with normal risk levels for colon cancer should have some form of colon cancer screening at age 50, and every 10 years thereafter. Patients at elevated risk, such as those who have a family history of colon cancer or have had polyps found in previous exams, may need to have screenings more frequently or begin at a younger age. Since CT colonography is a non-invasive exam, it provides an excellent alternative for patients who have difficulty tolerating discomfort from a conventional colonoscopy exam or who have had an unsuccessful colonoscopy.  

  Insurance Coverage

  • Medicare and most other insurers cover only colonoscopy, not CT colonography, as a screening exam. Insurers may cover CT colonography as a diagnostic exam in certain circumstances.
  • Larchmont Medical Imaging offers payment plans for patients who do not have insurance coverage for CT colonography.

  More information about Virtual Colonoscopy

• Low-Dose Coronary CT for Calcium Scoring

  A noninvasive test for patients with risk factors for coronary artery disease.

  Who can benefit from low-dose coronary CT for calcium scoring?

  • A calcium scoring exam detects signs of calcium deposits in the coronary arteries that indicate coronary artery disease. This screening may benefit patients who have certain risk factors for coronary artery disease but no current symptoms. Risk factors include hypertension, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, being overweight or obese, or leading a sedentary lifestyle.

  Insurance coverage

  • Some insurers cover coronary CT for calcium scoring as a screening exam in certain patients with risk factors.
  • Larchmont Medical Imaging offers payment plans for patients who do not have insurance coverage for Coronary CT calcium scoring.
  • Patients should check with their insurers to verify coverage and obtain information.

  More information about Low-Dose Coronary CT for Calcium Scoring

• Coronary CT Angiography (CTA)

  A noninvasive diagnostic test to detect narrowing of the coronary arteries due to plaque buildup.

  Who can benefit from coronary CTA?

  • Intermediate risk profiles for coronary artery disease with suspicious cardiac symptoms
  • Unusual symptoms for coronary artery disease, such as chest pain unrelated to physical exertion, with low to intermediate risk profiles for coronary artery disease
  • Unclear or inconclusive stress test results
  • Those with suspected congenital abnormalities of coronary arteries
  • Patients who need an examination of previous coronary artery grafts

  Insurance Coverage

  • Medicare covers coronary CTA for patients with indications of coronary artery disease.
  • Many insurers cover Coronary CTA.
  • Patients should check with their insurers to verify coverage and obtain information.

  More information about Coronary CT Angiography (CTA)

• Vascular Ultrasound  Screenings

  Vascular Ultrasound screenings for patients at risk of carotid artery disease or abdominal aortic aneurysms.

  Who can benefit from vascular ultrasound screenings?

  • As a screening exam, vascular ultrasound is used to detect signs of two potentially life-threatening conditions:
    • Stroke risk due to narrowing of the two main blood vessels that supply the head and brain: the carotid arteries. Screenings are recommended for patients at intermediate or higher risk of heart disease.
    • Abdominal aortic aneurysm—a weakened, "ballooning" area in the abdominal aorta, the largest artery in the abdominal cavity. A rupture can lead to a life-threatening situation. Screenings are recommended for all men from 60 to 85 years old, women in the same range who have cardiovascular risk factors, and men and women 50 or over with a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

  Insurance Coverage

  • Some insurers do not cover ultrasound of the carotid artery as a screening exam.
  • For abdominal aortic aneurysm, Medicare covers a one-time screening within the first twelve months of enrollment in Medicare. Coverage from other insurers varies.
  • Larchmont Medical Imaging offers payment plans for patients who do not have insurance coverage for the screening.

  More information about Vascular Ultrasound Screenings

• Comprehensive Breast Cancer Screening

  Including digital mammography and breast MRI

  Who can benefit from digital breast cancer screenings?

  • Women age 40+
  • Younger women with certain risk factors for breast cancer

  Insurance Coverage

  • Most insurers, including Medicare, cover annual screening mammograms for women who meet the current guidelines based on age or elevated risk factors.
  • Larchmont Medical Imaging offers payment plans for patients who do not have insurance coverage for the screening.

  Who can benefit from breast MRI in addition to yearly digital mammography?

  • The American Cancer Society recommends yearly breast MRI screening in women who have an estimated life-time risk of breast cancer greater than 20%.  An on-line breast cancer risk assessment can be performed on the National Cancer Institute Web site.
  • Women with the breast cancer genetic mutation BRCA.
  • First degree relatives of women with the BRCA mutation that haven't personally undergone genetic testing.
  • Women with previous chest irradiation performed between the ages of 10 and 30.
  • There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against yearly breast MRI in women with a history of breast cancer, atypical ductal hyperplasia, atypical lobular hyperplasia and heterogeneously dense or extremely dense breasts on mammography.

  Insurance Coverage

  • Medicare and most other insurers cover only digital mammography, not breast MRI, as a screening exam. Insurers may cover breast MRI as a diagnostic exam in patients with appropriate risk factors as outlined by the American Cancer Society.
  • Larchmont Medical Imaging offers payment plans for patients who do not have insurance coverage for the screening.

  More information about comprehensive breast cancer screening

The Larchmont Advantage

If you and your doctor decide that health screenings are right for you, choosing Larchmont offers the advantages of:

• Advanced medical imaging technology
• Interpretation by local radiologists with board certifications and subspecialty fellowship training
• Accessibility of Larchmont radiologists to consult with you and your doctor on risk factor assessment, screening recommendations, and follow-up care
• Easy scheduling and extended hours at convenient locations in Burlington County

To make an appointment for a screening exam, first discuss your risk factors with your primary care provider and obtain a prescription if you and your provider decide that screenings are warranted. Then call Larchmont Medical Imaging at (609) 261-4500 to schedule an appointment.

WHAT IS X-RAY?

Diagnostic X-ray is the oldest and most frequently used imaging exam in radiology. Conventional diagnostic radiology uses small doses of ionizing radiation to produce pictures (called radiographs or more commonly X-rays) of the human body. The image is created when the X-ray passes through body and is recorded onto a digital-image recording plate.

BENEFITS OF DIAGNOSTIC X-RAY

X-rays provide valuable information used to assist physicians in the diagnosis and assessment of many conditions. They can be utilized for illness or injury evaluation—such as pneumonia and bone fractures. They are very quick and easily accessible.

At Larchmont Medical Imaging, patient safety is top priority—and that includes helping patients and their primary care clinicians manage their exposure to medical radiation for imaging exams. Click here to learn more.

PREPARATION

Unlike many other radiology examinations, no special preparation is required. For some exams, you will be asked to change into a gown and you will need to remove any jewelry, eyeglasses, and any other metal objects that could cause distortions on the pictures obtained. Female patients should tell the technologist if there is any chance they could be pregnant.

ABOUT THE EXAM

X-rays are extremely quick and painless. They take just a few minutes. Similar to having your picture taken with a camera, you may be positioned in a certain manner in order to obtain the best possible picture. Holding a position while the technologist prepares to take the image may be mildly uncomfortable for a short time.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DIAGNOSTIC X-RAY, PLEASE VISIT:

RadiologyInfo

Extraordinary care. It’s a vital part of what we promise to you, as our patient. And it’s what you’ll see first-hand when you visit one of Larchmont’s imaging centers for an exam.

As another way of making sure your visit to Larchmont Medical Imaging goes as smoothly as possible, this section of our Web site provides a variety of helpful information on topics that will affect your visit, including:

• Our convenient scheduling options
• Insurance and billing information
• How to obtain patient films and reports
• Answers to questions our patients frequently ask

You’ll even find a page where people have shared their experiences as Larchmont patients, and a form that gives you an opportunity to provide feedback of your own on how well we’re doing at living up to our pledge to deliver extraordinary care.

Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging study that uses high frequency sound waves instead of X-rays or radiation to produce diagnostic images of body parts and internal organs.

BENEFITS OF ULTRASOUND

Ultrasound is an extremely useful imaging test to help physicians diagnose a wide range of medical conditions. It is fast and painless, and no injections are used. Ultrasound can be useful in determining the source of a patient's pain, swelling or infection. It is helpful in demonstrating movement, function and anatomy and assessing damage after an illness or injury. It allows radiologists to observe the patient's blood flow in real time. Ultrasound has also been proven to be a good method of guiding minimally invasive procedures (please see Ultrasound-Guided Biopsies).

TYPES OF ULTRASOUND PERFORMED

• Abdominal (liver, gallbladder, pancreatic, kidney, spleen, and bladder)
• Baby hip
• Breast
• Musculoskeletal
• Neonate brain
• Obstetrical and pelvic
• Testicular
• Thyroid and neck
• Arterial and venous vascular (carotid, abdominal aortic, dialysis shunts, arm and leg DVT)

PREPARATION

There is no preparation for most of the ultrasound. The exceptions are:

Gallbladder, Liver and Pancreas Ultrasounds:

• On the day before the exam, have a low-fat diet
• Nothing to eat or drink after midnight

Pelvic and Fetal Ultrasounds:

• Finish drinking 32 oz. of water one hour prior to your exam
• Do not empty your bladder prior to the exam—if your bladder does not feel full, we may ask you to wait until your bladder feels full since an incomplete bladder may limit the exam

ABOUT THE EXAM

During the ultrasound exam, a water-soluble "gel" is applied onto the skin and a transducer or probe is slowly moved over the area of the body that will be examined. Harmless sound waves pass through the area of interest and ultrasound images will appear on a monitor similar to a TV screen.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ULTRASOUND, PLEASE VISIT:

RadiologyInfo