Diagnostics and laboratory

We offer the following diagnostic services:

• Mammograms and other breast diagnostic procedures
• Minimally invasive surgical biopsies
• Nuclear medicine (radioactive isotope techniques)
• Stereotactic breast biopsies
• Substance abuse testing for employment purposes

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes very weak and brittle bones. If you have osteoporosis, a minor fall or even a deep cough could be enough to cause a bone break or fracture. The primary screening test for osteoporosis is referred to as a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). We use this painless, noninvasive method to measure your bone mass. DEXA can detect osteoporosis before a fracture occurs.

Our physicians can help guide you on ways to prevent osteoporosis. However, if you are diagnosed with the condition we are able to help treat and manage your symptoms by focusing on reducing the occurrence of fractures and slowing bone loss through lifestyle changes and medicine. An orthopedic surgeon may also recommend surgery.

An endoscopy is a procedure that allows physicians to better examine the body's passageways, including the esophagus, stomach and colon. With an endoscope, your doctor can directly look at specific areas to better evaluate and detect problems. They can also use the endoscope to remove tissue for a biopsy.

Colonoscopy

The most common type of endoscope is a colonoscopy. During a colonoscopy, a doctor inserts an endoscope to detect colon polyps, inflammation, tumors or other irritants inside the large intestine. If abnormal growths are found, tissue samples can be collected for further testing or can be removed altogether.

A colonoscopy is vital to the early detection of colon cancer. Colon cancer is often called the "silent killer" because symptoms typically do not appear until the cancer is advanced. According to the American Cancer Society, most men and women 45 years old and older should have a colonoscopy at least once every five years.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)

EUS obtains high-quality images and information from your digestive tract. By combining endoscopy and ultrasound technology, EUS provides clearer, more detailed images of your esophagus, stomach or pancreas. Physicians use EUS in cancer diagnosis and treatment to determine depths of tumor penetration and identify the spread of cancer. An EUS may also be used to assess chronic pancreatitis, evaluate causes of abdominal pain and analyze tumors.

Other advanced endoscopic procedures

In addition to routine endoscopy procedures, we also perform more advanced procedures, including:

• Stent placements
• Fine needle aspiration (FNA)
• Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement
• Manometry with impedance