Diagnostic Imaging

An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray particles through the body;  the resulting images are recorded on a computer.

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to look at organs and structures inside the body. During pregnancy, doctors use ultrasound tests to examine the baby. Unlike an x-ray, an ultrasound does not involve exposure to radiation.

Mammography is an x-ray of the breast that uses low doses of radiation. The picture made during mammography is called a mammogram. It can help find both cancerous (malignant) and non-cancerous (benign) tumours in the breast.

A bone mineral density (BMD) test measures how much calcium and other types of minerals are in an area of your bone. The test helps your healthcare provider detect osteoporosis and predict your risk of bone fractures.

An electrocardiogram, also called an ECG or EKG, records the heart’s electrical activity, showing how fast it’s beating, whether your heartbeat is steady or irregular, and the strength and timing of electrical signals as they pass through each part of your heart.

A Holter monitor is a device that continuously records the heart’s rhythms. The monitor is usually worn for 24 to 48 hours during normal activity.

If you’ve had a pacemaker implanted, you need to have it checked regularly. Our Diagnostic Imaging staff use a computer to check that the pacemaker is working properly.