Evergreen Diagnostic Imaging provides the full spectrum of imaging technology serving patient and physician needs. The digital images are conveniently available for physician viewing on computer terminals throughout the hospital.
Ultrasound
Computed Tomography (CT)
Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA)
PET/CT
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)
Digital Radiography (DR)
Interventional Radiology (IR)
Nuclear Medicine
Women’s Imaging
Bone Densitometry
Ultrasound is often the first-line diagnostic tool, a starting point to problem solve a patient’s condition. With nine ultrasound machines within Diagnostic Imaging, this technology offers unlimited scanning angles and dedicated views of the organ systems for the following procedures: abdominal, gynecological, OB, small parts, breast imaging, vascular imaging, pediatrics and musculo-skeletal. Ultrasound is non-invasive, readily available, portable, and involves minimal patient discomfort.
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Evergreen’s three CT scanners provide fast scan times,thin image slices for increased detection of lesions, high resolution of images for more accurate diagnosis, multiple slice imaging in a single rotation and increased image flexibility, making it possible to layer images for 3D imaging. A body scan that used to take three minutes now takes just five seconds. This technology also allows scanning opportunities in angiographic studies, such as blood vessels in the brain, carotids, pulmonary vessels and the aorta – a 15 minute non-invasive procedure as opposed to an invasive 1 to 2 hour procedure with hospital stay. This technology offers almost immediate results for procedures for the Emergency Department, the hospital and area clinicians.
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Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA)
CTA is a high quality, non-invasive diagnostic option that avoids the time, inconvenience and possible complications of an angiogram to the patient. The CTA almost always provides enough diagnostic information to avoid additional diagnostic tests. Its advanced 3-D image allows views of the vascular site from any angle, useful in operative planning. For the patient, there is decreased exam time (10-20 minutes total), no recovery time with a CTA, less cost and the technology provides 3-D computer images for more accurate diagnosis.
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PET/CT
Evergreen Radia's Totem Lake Center was the first in the region to offer LSO PET-CT scanning, currently the most accurate imaging technology for detecting and staging cancer. In addition, it is becoming one of the most important tools to assess tumor response to therapy. It combines positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) to create fused images which target, diagnose and stage cancers. Using a glucose-based tracer injection for the PET study, the cancer shows up because of an increased metabolic rate; with the fused images, the cancer is then precisely located for accurate staging. It is four times faster than a normal PET scan (15 minutes instead of 40-60 minutes), which also increases the level of patient comfort.
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI is the imaging procedure of choice for most brain and spine conditions because of its superior contrast resolution and multiplanar capabilities. Evergreen’s state-of-the-art short bore (not fully enclosed) MRI offers increased image quality, faster scanning time (20 minutes instead of 45 to 60 minutes) and increased patient comfort. 3T MRI, available at our Totem Lake site, offers the latest in magnetic technology advances.
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Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)
MRA uses MRI imaging along with a non-iodinated, non-nephrotoxic contrast agent to visualize any vessel in the body. The patient experiences a routine MRI scan, while computer software generates digital vascular imaging sequences for interpretation. In the past this study was used for carotid or intra-cranial images, but now is available for any part of the body, including the lower extremities. It is non-invasive with no recovery time, with a decreased cost, decreased exam time (15 to 45 minutes) and generates 3-D computer images. An MRA almost always provides enough diagnostic information to avoid additional diagnostic tests, with a 3-D image which allows views of the vasculature from any angle, useful in surgical planning.
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Digital Radiography (DR)
Evergreen Hospital has been on the forefront of technology over the years and digital radiography (DR) is just one example of this. Exams utilizing DR take approximately half the time as conventional film radiography; a chest x-ray that used to take 5 minutes now takes about 2 minutes, conventional spinal x-rays that can take 30-45 minutes are now done in 20 minutes utilizing DR. Most importantly, DR reduces the need for repeats, which in turn lowers the possibility of unnecessary radiation exposure to patients. Evergreen has four procedure suites, plus two additional suites in the Emergency Department. Evergreen also offers the same digital imaging technology advances at our Redmond and Canyon Park locations.
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Interventional Radiology (IR)
Interventional radiology is an exciting field of medicine that integrates image-based diagnosis and minimally-invasive therapies. IR options include diagnostic angiography, image-guided vascular procedures, comprehensive endovascular image-guided therapies such as balloon and stent angioplasty and angiojet mechanical thrombolysis, and targeted cancer therapies such as radiofrequency tumor ablation and chemoembolization. Also available: minimally invasive percutaneous treatment of compression fractures of the spine with vertebroplasty and kyphopasty. Uterine fibroid embolization is an option to hysterectomy.
A 2004 reconstruction of the Interventional Radiology lab added a new Cardiac Cath Lab, DI recovery area and DI waiting area. This new area allows patient check-in, consult, procedure, recovery and discharge in the same location.
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Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radioactive materials to demonstrate both function and structure in nearly every major organ system. It is particularly good for diagnosing and staging many types of cancer, and increasingly for the detection of cardiac disease. Nuclear medicine scans physiological functions of the body, vs. structural imaging, performed with X-ray. Evergreen’s two nuclear medicine rooms provide the highest level of patient service.
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Women’s Imaging
Evergreen offers a complete range of fully digital mammography and ultrasound imaging services in the Evergreen Breast Center. Our women’s imaging needs are coordinated from the beautiful, patient-centered environment of the Evergreen Breast Center.
All screening mammograms are reviewed by the R2 ImageChecker, a computer-aided detection device that functions similar to a spell check on a computer. Breast MR is available, with images processed by CADstream, the first FDA approved computer-aided detection system for breast MR. CADstream technology optimizes breast MR exams by measuring tumor volume and its angiogenic characteristics, enhancing data analysis and the quality of the exam, and making available instantaneous dynamic enhancement curves for more accurate diagnosis.
MRI and Stereotactic Guided Breast Biopsies are now also available to women, allowing for a significantly less invasive biopsy option for women facing a possible diagnosis of breast cancer.
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Bone Densitometry
The DEXA scan, a non-invasive and painless scan of the hip and lower spine, helps diagnose early risk for osteoporosis. The test is more sensitive than ordinary x-ray and can diagnose bone loss at an earlier stage, preventing increased bone loss. A DEXA scan is recommended for all women age 50 and older.
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