• Medical Imaging Services
• MRI
• MRI: Wide Bore
• MRI: Wide Bore with Caring Suite
• Chest Imaging
• Musculoskeletal Imaging
• Gastrointestinal Imaging
• Non-Invasive Imaging
• Head & Neck Imaging
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Pediatric Radiology

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans are needed for patients with a medical condition that is not easily detected through a more conventional physical exam. MRIs are used to get clearer pictures of soft tissue injuries, the brain, ruptured discs in the neck and back, tears in ligaments and joint injuries. An MRI machine can non-invasively scan head, neck, TMJ, spine, abdomen, pelvis, joints, blood vessels and musculoskeletal regions of the body.

Getting a magnetic resonance imaging test can be a stressful hospital experience for many patients. Patients are scanned with a large magnet to produce detailed images of the body’s soft tissues, but the loud noises produced by the machine and its tight confines can make patients anxious about the experience.

Insightful Technology Helps Humanize the MRI Experience

This technology, which is the first of its kind in the region and one of only a few in the world, offers a more comfortable, less clinical environment for patients needing an MRI.

The Wide Bore MRI differs from the traditional tunnel-style magnetic resonance imager in which some patients feel confined and uncomfortable. This Wide Bore MRI is more open to comfortably accommodate all patients. The patient-friendly design accommodates patients who are usually difficult to scan, such as larger, claustrophobic, elderly or very young patients or those who are in pain and require a larger imaging system. The large, usable field of view enables proper imaging of off-center anatomy, such as a shoulder or hip. It produces accurate, high-resolution images that can lead to a more precise diagnosis.

Patient Benefits

Through the Caring Suite technology, this system boasts a range of features to improve the patient experience:

• More spacious testing area
• Quiet technology to reduce noise
• Customizable patient experience designed for you with music, lights and images to help the patient relax during the scan
• Precise imaging capability, resulting in definitive diagnoses and reduced exam times

For information on this technology or to refer a patient, call (504)-842-3480

Since 2005, the Ochsner Cardiovascular Network has taken the lead in Cardiac MRI (CMR) by offering adult and pediatric patients a higher level of diagnostic testing and offering physicians the ease of making referrals. Performing greater than 250 Cardiac MRI’s each year, we are the only health system between Houston and Mobile to perform such a volume each year.

• Tremendous Information
• Excellent Spatial Resolution
• Quantification of Pathology
• Reproducible Serial Assessment of Pathology
• No: Acoustic Window Limitations, Ionization Radiation

Referring physicians, for 24/7 transfers and referrals, call the Regional Referral Center at 1-855-647-5465 (OHS-LINK).

Criteria to Refer a Patient:

• Cardiomyopathy
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Pericardial Disease
• Cardiac Mass

Contraindications:

• Ferrous Material
• Unconnected Cardiac Leads
• Brain Aneurysm Clips
• Pacemaker Dependent

The Ochsner Chest Imaging Center provides the following services:

• General diagnostic radiology
• Chest radiography with dual energy subtraction
• Computed tomography of the body
• CT Angiography of coronary arteries
• CT Angiography of pulmonary arteries
• High resolution CT of pulmonary parenchyma
• CT for small airways disease
• Pneumoconiosis evaluation

The Ochsner Musculoskeletal Imaging program provides patients with the following services:

• Conventional radiography and tomography
• Low dose scoliosis screening
• Spine and bone densitometry
• High resolution spinal and extremity CT
• Musculoskeletal MRI
• Arthrography

The Ochsner Gastrointestinal Imaging program provides the following services:

• Conventional radiography
• Abdominal imaging
• Urography
• Cystography
• Transplant radiology
• Computed tomography
• Ultrasonography
• Doppler imaging
• Gastrointestinal fluoroscopy

The Non-Invasive Imaging Section provides a comprehensive set of patient services as it functions as a cardiovascular diagnostic center for inpatients and outpatients, performing within our lab, we perform various tests are performed including:

• Echocardiography
• Cardiovascular MRI
• Dobutamine stress echo
• Exercise stress echo
• Exercise treadmill
• Transesophageal echo
• Nuclear stress testing
• Cardiopulmonary stress testing
• Cardiac and vascular CT
• Cardiac PET stress testing
• Vascular ultrasound

Physicians provide immediate interpretation for all cardiovascular studies.

• Greater New Orleans Area & Metairie: 504-842-4010
• Kenner: 504-443-9500
• Northshore: Covington, Mandeville or Abita Springs 985-875-2828
• Slidell: 985-639-3777

One of the most effective treatments used in the various medical stages of treating cardiac disease is Positron Emission Tomography. PET scans of the heart is a highly effective imaging tool that is used to diagnose cardiac disease.

The use of PET imaging in cardiac diseases takes two stages. During the first stage, the patient's heart is scanned while at in a state of rest. The images that are produced from this first PET scan will then be checked with a second PET scan. During the second stage, the patient is given a drug (dipyridamole) that produces an effect in the body similar to the effects of strenuous exercise. The scan of the patient's heart taken at this time shows the heart and its arteries in a state of stress. The two scans are then compared to assess whether heart disease is present.

Why PET Stress Testing?

• Better diagnostic accuracy
• Excellent quality
• Ability to detect pre-clinical disease

Click here to download the brochure

The Ochsner Head & Neck Imaging program provides patients with the following services:

• Conventional radiography and tomography
• Dynamic temporomandibular joint MRI
• Head and neck MRI
• High resolution head and neck CT

The Ochsner Radiology Department is involved in three important activities relevant to cancer: screening, diagnosis, confirmation and treatment of cancer. Screening services evaluate individuals who are at risk for a particular type of cancer (for example, women receive mammography to detect early breast cancer). Diagnostic services include mammography, conventional x-rays, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT scans and many other tests. Ochsner physicians are leading the field regionally and nationally in the use of stereotactic core biopsy, an innovative technique for determining whether or not a breast lesion is cancerous. For more information on breast cancer, visit the Lieselotte Tansey Breast Center at Ochsner. In the confirmation and treatment of cancer patients, members of the Radiology Department are instrumental. Sophisticated diagnostic studies can be conducted to look for metastases, for example the spread of colon cancer to other organs such as the liver. Ultrasound can be used intra-operatively to identify lesions that must be removed. Radiologists are also essential in follow-up, to monitor the cancer patient's response to treatment.

The Ochsner Pediatric Radiology program provides patients with the following services:

• Conventional chest and skeletal radiography
• Gastrointestinal fluoroscopy
• High resolution body CT
• Low dose scoliosis screening
• Urography and cystography
• Computed tomography, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging