Radiology Associates of Wausau provides minimally-invasive procedures, performed by trained interventional radiologists. The exams are performed with small skin incisions, local anesthesia or intravenous sedation, and short post-procedure hospitalizations. The interventional radiologist works closely with referring physicians to provide rapid diagnosis and offer effective treatments.

Better known as a CT Scan, Computed Tomography combines x-rays and computers for a rapid, painless diagnostic examination. A CT Scan allows the radiologist to pinpoint the location, nature, and extent of trauma, disease, or abnormality in a patient. In many patients, the image is further improved by the intravenous administration of radiographic contrast material.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the most advanced diagnostic imaging study available today. MRI images are formed without the use of radiation or radioactive substances of any kind and allow physicians to find conditions that previously could only be identified through surgery.

Mammography is a completely non-invasive exam that utilizes a low dose of x-rays to produce a high-quality, detailed image of the breast. A mammogram can often detect breast cancer before it can be felt, allowing for greater opportunity for successful treatment. Routine mammography exams consist of two x-ray views of the breast, one from above and one from the side.

MRI guided, stereotactic guided, or ultrasound-guided breast biopsy is the non-surgical removal of sample cells from masses in breast tissue which cannot be felt. The goal of this procedure is to obtain a small sample of tissue from the breast to be analyzed by a specialist to determine whether it is cancerous or not, allowing treatment options to be discussed in the event cancer is diagnosed.

Nuclear medicine provides doctors with painless and safe techniques to image the body and gain information to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Nuclear medicine has been a standard practice for over 60 years, and new therapeutic uses for treating disease continue to be developed.

A PET ( Positron Emission Tomography) scan is an effective way to examine the chemical activity in certain parts of your body, which may help detect abnormalities in those areas. PET scans are most often used in people who have cancer, or to determine if an abnormality seen on a CT scan is suspicious for cancer or not. Cancer cells show up as brighter spots on PET scans because they have a higher metabolism rate that do normal cells. PET scans may be useful in determining the extent or spread of certain cancers, how well the cancer is responding to treatment, and if the cancer has returned.

The types of cancer most likely to show up on PET scans include:

• Brain
• Breast
• Cervical
• Colon
• Esophageal
• Lung
• Lymphoma
• Melanoma
• Pancreatic
• Thyroid

Ultrasound is a simple, safe, and painless diagnostic procedure that bounces high frequency sound waves off parts of the body and captures the returning sound waves as images. There is no dye injection or radiation exposure associated with an ultrasound exam.

Ultrasound can capture images of pelvic and abdominal organs, breast abnormalities, the male reproductive system, and fetal development, among other applications. Ultrasound can also capture moving blood images of the heart and large blood vessels.