Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville, TX, offers fast, friendly and advanced testing for CAT Scan, X-ray, MRI, ultrasound or other imaging tests. Our imaging services center is on the 1st floor of the hospital, directly behind our main reception area.
Inpatient imaging services are available 24/7. For outpatient testing, Valley Regional Imaging is open Monday to Friday from m 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday hours are available for obstetrics (OB) and CAT Scans only from 8 a.m. to noon.
Less Time Waiting for Test Results
At Valley Regional Medical Center, we don’t think you should have to wait any longer than necessary for your test results. That’s why our radiologist will read your images within 30 to 60 minutes after your exam has ended and send the results to your doctor ASAP.
Our state of the art PACS (picture archiving and communication system) allows your doctor to view your images and reports directly from their computers.
Less Time Waiting for Tests
If you already have a test scheduled with us, pre-register online to reduce (or eliminate) your wait once you arrive. Whenever possible, pre-register at least 48-hours in advance to allow time for your insurance to be contacted for any pre-authorizations they require.
Don’t forget to go the reception desk when you check in for your exam that you pre-registered online. After checking in at the main welcome desk, you’ll be escorted to the radiology department waiting area until called back for your test.
Types of Imaging Services
Valley Regional Medical Center offers a full range of diagnostic imaging services, including:
X-Ray
An x-ray is among the most quick, painless and informative tests available to detect or diagnose health issues. From detecting a broken leg to determining if a patient has pneumonia, x-rays can provide the facts doctors need to treat patients effectively.
Our technicians use a small amount of radiation to capture an image of the area being studied, either on film or computer. You can read our Radiation Right educational guide to learn about our safety protocols for “the right imaging exam, at the right time, with the right radiation dose.”
Ultrasound Services
An ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images called sonograms. These tests are famous for allowing expectant mothers a peak at their child months before he or she is born. But they can also help doctors see all types of body tissues, detecting problems and determining the best treatment options.
At Valley Regional in Brownsville, TX, ultrasound services are offered during outpatient hours M-F from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (inpatient is 24/7). For obstetric patients, we also have extended hours on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon. Expectant mothers can also take advantage of our 4D ultrasound exams, which display even more detailed sonograms than a traditional 2D ultrasound.
MRI Test
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnetic waves to create 2D and 3D images of the inside of the body. The scans get sent to a computer where the technicians and specialists can study the images and share them with your doctor.
At Valley Regional Medical Center, our extra-wide MRI makes for more comfortable testing. Larger patients have a less snug fit and patients with concerns about enclosed spaces (claustrophobia) are often less anxious in a larger MRI machine.
CAT Scan
CAT scan, or CT scan, is short for computed tomography scans. These tests take a series of detailed images inside the body using x-ray technology. The images are combined to create a 3D view of the patients’ body.
CAT scans are used for a variety of reasons including:
- Look for internal bleeding
- Study chest and abdomen
- Precise guidance for biopsies
- Locate and determine the size of a tumor
- Diagnose blood vessel diseases
- Diagnose musculoskeletal problems
- Pre-surgery planning
Test preparation can take longer than the actual test, especially if your doctor ordered a CT scan with oral contrast. However, this is usually a relatively simple procedure and most CT scans only take about 10-15 minutes to complete.
Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine is used to diagnose or treat cancer, heart disease and other gastrointestinal, endocrine and neurological diseases. A small amount of radioactive material (tracer), which given to the patient (it may be injected, swallowed as a pill, or inhaled as a gas). A special camera is used during the test that detects the tracer as it moves through the body or is absorbed by body tissues.
Different types of tracers are used depending on what body area or function is being tested. For instance, in a PET scan (positron emission tomography) for cancer, the tracer used is one that cancer cells tend to absorb more of than healthy cells. That makes the cancer cells more noticeable on the resulting images. This type of scan can help your doctor or oncologist decide if cancer is present, what stage it’s in, and if it’s spread to other areas.
Related Services
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