We would like to give you a brief overview as to why we are an excellent imaging center.  Both of our centers offer Positron Emission Tomography (PET/CT), Computed Tomography (CT), MRI, Dedicated Breast MRI, digital mammography, bone density testing, and ultrasound.  We believe that what sets us apart from other imaging centers is our ability to offer same day appointments, a radiologist is always available to go over your test results with you, and we can provide your physician with your results within 24 hours.  We maintain a very high standard of excellence at both of our centers because Dr. Angel Williamson and Dr. Chun Chen believe that their patients deserve the very best care possible.  

 

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A PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan allows physicians to measure the body's abnormal molecular cell activity to detect cancer (such as breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, lymphoma and other cancers).  A simple sugar, glucose, is labeled with radioactive signal-emitting tracer and injected intravenously.  While you rest on a bed that moves through the scanner ring, the PET/CT scanner records signals from these tracers as they journey through your body.  A computer then assembles the signals into actual images.  PET scans are simple, painless, and quick, offering patients and their families life-saving information more accurate answers to better diagnose illness, guide treatment options, and give patients ultimate control over their critical health care decisions.

 

CT (computed tomography) is an x-ray examination that utilizes computers to show cross sections of body tissues and organs.  The results are a detailed multidimensional view of the body's interior; however, CT alone is unable to detect abnormal molecular activity seen with PET.

 

PET/CT combines PET and CT into a single quick and comfortable test lasting about 20 minutes.  

 

We will send a packet of information to the patient as well as contact the patient prior to the study to go over instructions.

  

A doctor's referral is necessary

 

 

A CT scan uses a combination of x-rays and computers to give the radiologist a non-invasive way to see inside your body.  One advantage of CT is its ability to rapidly acquire two-dimensional pictures of your anatomy.  Using a computer, these 2-D images can be presented in 3-D for in-depth clinical evaluation.

 

We will contact the patient the day prior to the exam to go over instructions.

  

Test Description:
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan is a radiology technique that uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to produce images of the body structures.  The MRI scanner is a tube surrounded by a giant circular magnet.  The patient lies on a movable bed that is passed through the magnetic tube.  An MRI scan is used as an accurate method of disease detection throughout the body.  

 

We will send a packet of information to the patient as well as contact the patient prior to the study to go over instructions.  All metals must be removed before the scan.

 

A doctor's referral is necessary.

 

 

Dediicated Breast MRI scans offer valuable information about many breast conditions that cannot be obtained by any other imaging modalities, such as mammography or ultrasound.  MRI is not a replacement for mammography or ultrasound, but a supplemental tool for detecting and staging breast cancer and other breast abnormalities.  MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan is a radiology technique that uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to produce images of the body structures.  The MRI scanner is a tube surrounded by a giant circular magnet.  The patient will lie face down on her stomach with breasts placed into cushioned openings, which are surrounded by a breast coil, which is a signal receiver that creates the images.  

 

We will send a packet of information to the patient as well as contact the patient prior to the study to go over instructions.  All metals must be removed before the scan.

 

A doctor's referral is necessary.

 

Coronary artery disease (CAD) or artherosclerosis is the #1 cause of death of both men and women in the U.S., claiming over 500,000 lives each year.  Typically, patients are diagnose with CAD after they have already developed symptoms or suffered irreversible heart damage.  This means that the opportunity for prevention is lost.  Other patients are less fortunate, and over 400 people under the age of 65 die in the U.S. each day from CAD without any prior warning symptoms.

 

Cardiac scoring uses computerized x-rays to detect calcium in the plaques of coronary artery disease early, before symptoms occur.  It is a painless, non-invasive and inexpensive procedure requiring less than 15 minutes to perform.  A state of the art multi-slice GE LightSpeed CT scanner takes images of your coronary arteries without any needle injections or removal of your clothing.  The amount of calcium or plaque detected in your coronary arteries is use to establish your cardiac score.

 

Wear two-piece clothing that is comfortable.  Avoid any caffeine intake for 24 hours.

 

No referral necessary

 

Digital mammography combines an x-ray of the breast with advanced image enhancement techniques to improve diagnostic accuracy.  Both full field and small field digital mammography can be performed on our new digital mammography systems.

 

Digital mammography can find more and smaller breast cancers than film screen mammography.  It is especially helpful in patients with dense breasts, who are at increased risk for developing breast cancer.  When breast ultrasound is use in combination with digital mammography, early breast cancer detection is improve even more.  

  

Do not wear any powder, deodorant, lotion, or perfumes on your breast and underarm area.  Wear two-piece outfit for your convenience.

 

No referral necessary.

  

A bone mineral density (BMD) or Dexa Scan will determine whether you have osteoporosis or if you are at risk for osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become fragile and break.  

 

The test uses small amounts of radiation to determine the thickness and density of bones.  Bone density tests are safe, painless, and easy.  The test takes about 30 minutes.

 

Wear two-piece outfit with no metals, such as zippers or buttons.

 

A doctor's referral is necessary.

 

 

 

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A breast sonogram exam will identify and characterize any palpable or non-palpable abnormalities and further evaluate mammography findings.

 

Wear two-piece clothing. 

 

No referral necessary.

 

Ultrasound examination is a proven and useful procedure for the evaluation of many structures within the abdomen and retro peritoneum.  Depending on the clinical indications, an examination may include the entirety of the abdomen and retro peritoneum, a single organ, or several organs.  A combination of structures may be image because of related location (e.g., organs in right upper quadrant of abdomen) or function (e.g., biliary system including [liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts], both kidneys).  For some patients, more focused examinations may be appropriate for evaluation of specific clinical indications or to follow up a known abnormality.  

Fasting for 8 hours prior to examination.  Wear two-piece outfit.

 

A doctor's referral is necessary.

 

Carotid ultrasound produces detailed images of the body's two carotid arteries, which are located on each side of the neck.  The carotid arteries carry blood from the heart to the brain.  The ultrasound provides images, which show the blood vessels and information about the blood flowing through them.  Carotid ultrasound is often times used to detect narrowing of the carotid artery, which increases the risk of stroke.

 

Wear loose fitting open necked shirt or blouse.  Remove all clothing and jewelry near your neck area.  

 

A doctor's referral is necessary.

 

Trans-abdominal ultrasound of the pelvis is most often performed to evaluate the bladder, ovaries, uterus, cervix and fallopian tubes.  Trans-vaginal ultrasound is performed to view the endometrium or the lining of the uterus, including its thickness, and the ovaries.  This is also a good way to evaluate the muscular walls of the uterus called myometrium.  

 

Patient should drink 32-48 oz. of water 1 hour prior to appointment.  Wear two-piece outfit.

 

A doctor's referral is necessary.

 

Obstetrical ultrasound provides pictures of an embryo or fetus within a woman's uterus, as well as the mother's uterus and ovaries.    

 

Patient should drink 32-48 oz. of water 1 hour prior to exam.  Wear two-piece outfit.

 

A doctor's referral is necessary.

 

Ultrasound of the thyroid produces a picture of the thyroid gland.  It is a simple test using the sound waves to image the thyroid.  The sound waves are emitted from a small hand-held transducer that is passed over the thyroid.  A lubricant jelly is placed on the skin so the sound waves transmit more easily through the skin and into the thyroid and surrounding structures.  

 

None

 

A doctor's referral is necessary.

 

Ultrasound of the scrotum produces a picture, which evaluates asymmetry and the location and characteristics of scrotal masses, evaluates scrotal pain of undetermined etiology and complications of inflammatory disease, such as scrotal/testicular abscess.  Ultrasound can search for an occult primary tumor in patients with known metastatic germ cell tumor, provide follow-up of patients with prior primary testicular neoplasm's, leukemia, or lymphoma, and testicular microlithiasis.  Ultrasound localizes undescended testes, detects varicoceles on infertile men, and evaluates scrotal trauma, including the evaluation of acute scrotal pain to distinguish torsion from epididymitis/epididymoorchitis.

 

None

 

A doctor's referral is necessary.

 

Venus ultrasound is performed to evaluate blood clots, especially in the veins of the leg.  The condition is referred to as deep vein thrombosis, which may cause clots to break off and pass into the lungs, where possibility of pulmonary embolism may occur.  If the blood clot in the leg is found early enough, treatment can be started to prevent it from passing to the lungs.  Venus ultrasound also evaluates swelling in the legs, examines blood vessel grafts used for dialysis, and evaluates possible vein obstruction.  

 

Wear comfortable clothing.  Remove all clothing and jewelry in area to be examined. 

 

A doctor's referral is necessary.

ANGEL WILLIAMSON M.D.
5120 Bayou Blvd., Suite 9
Pensacola FL, 32503
Tel 850.476.1161
Fax 850.476.3575

CHUN CHEN M.D.
417 Racetrack Rd., Suite C
Ft. Walton Beach, Fl 32547
Tel 850.862.1161
Fax 850.863.2431