National Radiologic Technology Week® is celebrated each November to recognize the vital work of R.T.s across the nation. The week-long celebration calls attention to the important role medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals play in patient care and healthcare safety.

In early 1896, x-rays were being utilized in the United States for such things as bones fractures and gun shot wounds.

Today our collective PCI Imaging teams, from all office locations, provide: diagnostic radiographs, MRI, bone density, ultrasound, sinus CT, PET CT, and fluoroscopy services for our patients.

You may be familiar with the x-ray for broken bones and PET CT for viewing cancerous tissue, but you may be surprised to learn that our Urologists use x-ray imaging for various medical histories including: hematuria, urinary tract infections, and suspicion of kidney or bladder cancer to name a few.

A majority of the patients seen for kidney stones will receive an x-ray called a KUB (kidney, ureter, and bladder). If a patient presents with hematuria, they will often return to the clinic for an IVP (intravenous pyelogram), an x-ray that involves an injection of a contrast media to highlight the kidneys, ureters, and demonstrate the shape of the bladder. Special imaging is done on a patient's bladder.  The VCUG exam (voiding cysto-urethrogram), demonstrates if the patient has vesicoureteral reflux. This is most common in pediatric patients with a history of urinary tract infections. Post-operative cystograms are common in patients who have undergone a robotic prostatectomy.

2011 Jan-Sept Radiology Fun Facts:

• 18, 490 X-Ray patients
• 23,610 X-Ray exams
• 510 DEXA patients
• 48 fluoro procedures
• 1,998 MRI patients
• 1,484 surgical ultrasound patients
• 1,909 urology X-Ray patients

Our radiology team collectively shares over 223 years of professional expertise. In addition, all technologists are board certified through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and registered by the Iowa Department of Public Health ensuring our patients’ x-ray services are above and beyond the industry standard.