The Prairie Ridge Health Medical Imaging Department provides emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Scheduled appointments may be made on weekdays by calling 920-623-6466.

The department is located on the hospital's first floor across from the main information/registration desk.

Madison Radiologists have been serving patients at Prairie Ridge Health for over 5 years. As the largest independent radiology group in South Central Wisconsin, the group of over 30 board-certified radiologists has been providing leading-edge medical imaging services and imaging interventions to residents of Madison and surrounding communities for over 40 years.

Subspecialty radiology services provided by Madison Radiologists include; MRI, mammography and breast biopsy, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, cardiovascular and interventional radiology, neuro-interventional radiology, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and general diagnostic radiology.

Services Offered Include:

• Bone Densitometry: This procedure helps to determine if a woman or man is at risk for osteoporosis. The patient needs to stop calcium supplements 48 hours prior to the exam; the exam lasts about 30 minutes. The patient completes a history sheet prior to the exam then lies on their back while an x-ray machine scans the back and hip area.
  
  
• Computerized Tomography (CT): A CT takes multiple images of the body by using an x-ray beam and computer processing. The patient lies on a table centered inside a large gantry. Exams include head, neck, chest, abdomen/pelvis, spine, injection procedures, biopsies, and extremities. Some abdomen and pelvis studies require the patient to drink contrast fluid to enhance the bowels prior to the exam. IV contrast is also injected to enhance blood vessels, solid organs, and other structures. Outpatients over the age of 60 having a contrast injected CT need a blood test prior to the procedure. Exam times vary.
  
  
• 3D and 2D Digital Mammography: Mammograms are best scheduled after your menstrual cycle. No perfumes powders or deodorants should be worn on the day of the exam. A personal history sheet is completed prior to the exam. The breast is compressed between two plates. Two exposures of each breast are made from the front and the side. Yearly mammograms are recommended for women over the age of 40. 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. The FDA accredited mammography room schedules exams Monday thru Friday.
  Learn more about Mammograms
  
  
• Digital X-Rays: Services include images of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, spine, pelvis, and extremities. Emergency services are provided 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Digital outpatient x-ray services are provided Monday thru Friday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm with no appointment needed.
  
  
• Fluoroscopy Services: Studies include but are not limited to contrasted GI and GU exams, joint injections for pain relief, myelograms, and swallow studies. Fluoroscopy Services are provided Monday thru Friday with varying appointment times. For questions about exams call 920-623-1210.
  
  
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This procedure technique uses a magnetic field with computers to generate a cross-sectional image of the body. Patients are screened prior to the exam for cardiac pacemakers, heart valves, metallic fragments within the eye, pregnancy, broken bones treated with metal rods, pins, plates. Claustrophobia can be an issue with this exam. The patient lies on a table positioned within the magnet opening.
  
  MRI's are able to detect injuries, diseases, and disorders affecting tendons, ligaments, cartilages, and bone. If you are claustrophobic please discuss it with your doctor before the appointment. Because of the powerful magnets please remove all metallic objects such as jewelry, glasses, clothing with zippers, pens, credit cards, etc. This procedure is available Mondays and Thursdays in a mobile unit at the hospital. Exam times vary. There is no necessary preparation for this procedure.
  
  
• PET/CT:  A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that helps reveal how your tissues and organs are functioning. A PET scan uses a radioactive drug (tracer) to show this activity. This scan can sometimes detect disease before it shows up on other imaging tests by detecting changes in cellular function, specifically, how your cells are utilizing nutrients like sugar and oxygen. Since these functional changes take place before physical changes occur, PET can provide information that enables your physician to make an early diagnosis.
  
  A PET scan is an effective way to examine the chemical activity in parts of your body. It may help identify a variety of conditions, including many cancers, heart disease, and brain disorders. The pictures from a PET scan provide information different from that uncovered by other types of scans, such as computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We offer PET/CT Exams every other Saturday.
  Learn more about PET/CT Exams
  
  
• Nuclear Medicine: Requires an injection of a radioactive isotope into a vein. Common exams are bone, cardiac, lung, and thyroid. The patient lies on a table with the camera above them while multiple films are generated. Isotopes are prepared for a specific time and weight for the patient. These procedures can be scheduled Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Exam times vary up to 4-6 hours.
  
  
• Ultrasound Services Offered
  • Abdomen: gall bladder, kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, and aorta. The patient must not eat or drink 12 hours prior to the exam.
  • Cardiac: evaluates the four chambers of the heart. Videotape study of cardiac movement and valve assessment.
  • Carotids: evaluation of the carotid arteries in the neck for abnormalities.
  • Obstetrics: evaluates the fetus in utero for growth and anomalies. The patient will need a full bladder.
  • Pelvis: gall bladder, kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, and aorta. The patient must not eat or drink 12 hours prior to the exam.
  • Scrotal: evaluates for masses, cysts, torsion, hydroceles, and epididymitis.
  • Thyroid: evaluates size and structure for cysts and nodules.
  • Venous Doppler: evaluates the venous flow in the legs assessing for clots.
  • Venous Insufficiency: evaluates the deep venous system for clot as well as the greater saphenous vein for reflux.