Diagnostic imaging utilizes a variety of imaging technologies to detect and diagnose diseases, injuries and abnormalities in patients referred to our practice. Typically, these exams are undertaken to investigate a problem, stage the progression of a known disease or to assess the impact of prior therapies.

This section of the site provides basic procedural information for patients arranged by diagnostic modality. You’ll discover how each modality works as well as learn what to expect before, during and after each exam at a Washington Imaging Services (WIS) outpatient center in Bellevue or Issaquah.

Our goal is to help you become informed and confident, so that you or a family member will come to a WIS center with the confidence and assurance that your exam is in the best possible hands.

PET/CT The fusion of two sophisticated scanning technologies, positron emission tomography and computed tomography, PET/CT shows both metabolic function and anatomical detail in a single exam.

MDCT A multi-detector (or multi-slice) computed tomography (MDCT or MSCT) scan uses a special type of x-ray to obtain information from different angles around the body. Computers process the information and create cross-sectional images that appear as "slices" of the body and organs.

MRI Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combines an advanced computer system, radio waves and a strong magnetic field rather than x-rays to provide remarkably clear and detailed pictures of internal organs and tissues.

Ultrasound Also called sonography, ultrasound is a simple imaging procedure that bounces high-frequency sound waves off parts of the body. The reflected echoes are recorded and displayed as a real-time visual image.

X-Ray During x-ray imaging or radiography, a part of the body is exposed to a very small quantity of x-rays which pass through the tissues, striking a film to create an image.

Fluoroscopy Fluoroscopy uses x-rays with the aid of a contrast agent to capture a moving image of certain organs while they are functioning.