Imaging services

Our goal is to make your appointment with us as stress-free as possible by offering convenient appointment times that work around your schedule. Additionally, we have a number of freestanding locations throughout Middle Tennessee to ensure you can easily schedule an appointment close to home.

From a routine mammogram to X-rays in the emergency room, TriStar Health hospitals will meet your imaging needs. We also offer interventional radiology as an alternative to invasive surgery. Our services include:

• Advanced lung screening — We use robotic technology to view the inside of your lungs and get tissue samples for biopsy. We use small cameras to produce 3D models of your lungs and check for lung cancer.
• Computed tomography (CT) — CT scans take a series of X-rays to create a 3D image of a specific area in your body. They are used to look inside the brain and blood vessels and check for signs of an injury. We offer specialized services, such as cardiac CT scans for calcium scoring to address blocked or narrowed arteries.
• Mammography — Mammograms are the primary way to screen for breast cancer. These X-ray images can uncover abnormalities in the breast before a woman may feel a lump on her own. Mammograms also help physicians study tissues and plan treatment for any breast issue that might be discovered during the exam.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans — This noninvasive imaging technology uses magnetic fields and radio waves to view your tissue and internal organs. It can help us diagnose conditions such as spinal cord injuries, heart disease and blood vessel damage.
• Nuclear medicine — Nuclear medicine uses radioactive tracers to detect, monitor and treat diseases within the body. Positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission CT (SPECT) scans are examples of nuclear medicine imaging. Within our oncology department, PET scans are used to detect cancer and determine the effectiveness of treatment while SPECT scans can be used to detect brain, heart and bone disorders.
• Ultrasounds — We use ultrasounds to monitor the development of a fetus during pregnancy, as well as to evaluate and monitor conditions such as muscle tears, blockages in arteries and gallbladder disease.
• X-rays — X-rays are used to detect broken bones, infections or dislocated joints. A small dose of radiation is used to produce a picture of a specific area inside your body. You may be given a contrast agent to identify the injury or condition more clearly.
  • Fluoroscopy — A fluoroscopy is a "moving" X-ray. A continuous X-ray beam is passed through the body, basically creating an X-ray "movie". This type of imaging is especially helpful in allowing physicians to look at the heart vessels, bowel, bones, joints and muscles in more detail.

Our state-of-the-art medical laboratory is an integral part of our comprehensive medical care, performing tests in the areas of hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, clinical chemistry, microbiology, and immunohematology. As part of our commitment to providing you with advanced care, we manage your test results with a digital platform: Picture Archive and Communications System (PACS). PACS gives you and your doctor fast remote access to digital images and reports, 24/7. Many times, we can tell before you leave your visit if more tests will be required.

PACS also allows multiple physicians and radiology specialists to review and discuss your studies simultaneously from different locations. Our goal is to make your results available to referring physicians quickly so you can get treated as soon as possible.