The branch of medicine concerned with the use of radiation, I.E., x-rays, fluoroscopy, ct scan, mammography, radioactive materials and other imaging technologies, i.e., ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose and/or treat disease.

It is a specialty of radiology in which radiologists diagnose and/or treat diseases without surgery, by guiding tiny catheters through your body's arteries and organs. This allows the radiologist to place medications directly at the organ site, open blocked blood vessels, drain an obstructed kidney, obtain biopsies, and perform many other procedures - using x-rays and other radiographic equipment for guidance. Interventional radiologists specialize in the use of fluoroscopy, CT, and ultrasound to guide their way through the skin by needle puncture, including introduction of wires and catheters for performing procedures such as biopsies, draining fluids, inserting catheters, or dilating or stenting narrowed ducts or vessels.

Interventional radiology seeks to make changes in the body by using electromagnetic or particulate radiation to treat disease. Diagnostic radiology seeks to see how the body is functioning to discover if something is wrong.

A doctor who specializes in creating and interpreting pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are produced with x-rays, sound waves, or other types of energy. A radiologist is trained in the diagnostic and/or therapeutic use of x-rays and radionuclides, and radiation physics; a diagnostic radiologist may also be trained in diagnostic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging and applicable physics.

Technologists are trained and licensed to properly position the patients for each diagnostic procedure and to operate the corresponding diagnostic equipment safely and effectively. You may ask your Technologist about any concerns you might have about the procedure. Our Technologists will also take a medical history from you, to better understand your medical condition and prepare your examination results for the Radiologists interpretation.

No, but they have received special training in how to operate medical imaging equipment. Technologists are trained in general x-ray procedures, and, if they choose, a specific technology such as mammography.

The x-rays delivered to a patient during a typical diagnostic imaging exam are safe, and educated radiologic technologists use the lowest dose possible to achieve a quality image. In addition, new techniques and equipment are continuously being developed to decrease the total amount of radiation received by the patient. For example, modern mammography equipment, operated by trained technologists, delivers 1/40th the amount of radiation used 20 years ago. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation. Radiation is a frightening word to most people, but it’s important to remember that radiation is natural. Sources of naturally occurring “background radiation” are the atmosphere, the earth’s crust and cosmic rays. The average American is exposed to about 3 millisieverts (mSv) of background radiation from his or her environment, yearly. Those who live at high altitudes, where the atmosphere is thinner, are exposed to more. By comparison, a typical dental x-ray exposes a patient to approximately 0.06 mSv; a chest x-ray delivers 0.08 mSv; a mammogram delivers about 1.0 mSv; and an x-ray of the thoracic spine delivers 1.5 mSv. Certain organs are “radiosensitive,” which means they are more sensitive to radiation exposure than other parts of the body. Those organs, including the thyroid gland and the male and female reproductive organs, are shielded when they are in the path of the x-ray beam. Because a developing fetus also is radiosensitive, pregnant women should seek a physician’s advice before undergoing an x-ray examination.

Radiation is a natural part of life. Radiation is light, short radio waves, ultraviolet or x-rays. It has existed since the beginning of time and is an integral part of the universe in which we live. Life on earth has evolved in the presence of radiation. Radiation comes to us from many sources both natural and man-made. These sources include cosmic radiation from outer space, radiation from the soil and buildings, and natural isotopes in our own bodies.

Most of the diagnostic procedures involve no discomfort. Many diagnostic procedures use contrast agents (pharmaceuticals that make your blood vessels or organs show up better on the images). These contrast agents are often injected through a needle into a vein, which can cause some discomfort

No. MRI uses magnetic energy to image the body and ultrasound produces images based on sound waves.

Contrast agents highlight specific organs or blood vessels, making them more visible on a diagnostic image. They provide contrast between various types of tissue. Some contrast agents are designed for the patient to drink, while others are injected, delivered through an intravenous hook-up, or administered rectally through an enema tube. The most common types of contrast used in general radiography are air, iodine and barium. Air encourages the passage of x-rays through a selected part of the body, while barium and iodine block the passage of x-rays. Special types of contrast agents also are used in magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography scans and other imaging examinations. Because the use of contrast agents carries a small risk of allergic reaction, you should let your physician or the radiologic technologist know if you have allergies of any type.

Our schedulers must be contacted at 433-6100 to schedule an appointment for all exams except x-rays. X-ray exams are not scheduled, but taken on a "walk-up" basis during our normal office hours. You may also contact scheduling via e-mail. Our normal hours of operation are 7:30a.m. to 6:00p.m. Monday thru Friday. However, in certain emergency situations we may extend our office hours.

Unfortunately, no. Images are considered part of your medical record, and we have a legal responsibility to keep them in our facility for several years in case we, or others, need to reference them in the future. Under certain circumstances they may be checked out and delivered to other healthcare practitioners, or may be copied for the same purpose.

Please be prepared to submit your driver’s license or some other form of identification along with your insurance card. The receptionist will take a copy of the cards for their records and will return the cards back to the patient.

Yes, you may access patient forms within this site to complete prior to your scheduled appointment.

At DISN we accept Medicare, TriCare, Medicaid and almost every PPO insurance plan in Southern Nevada. We are also contracted with most all Workers Compensation progams. In addition, we provide a discount for cash pay patient's. We do not accept HMO's.

You may have a co-payment or deductible payment due for services. We ask that the patient verify insurance coverage with their insurance carrier regarding benefits and eligibility. If any amount may be due for copayments, you will be required to pay it at the time of service.

Pricing will be dependent on the type of examination the physician has ordered and the exam the patient will ultimately receive. For approximate price quotes, please contact our Billing hotline at (702) 471-6470.

Your physician, who requested the exams to be performed, will contact you.

MRI is short for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. (If your doctor has sent you for an "MRA" [Magnetic Resonance Angiography], this is also a kind of MRI.) MRI is an advanced technology that lets your doctor see internal organs, blood vessels, muscles, joints, tumors, areas of infection, and more -- Without x-rays, surgery, or pain. MRI is very safe; in fact, it makes use of natural forces and has no known harmful effects. It's important to know that MRI will not expose you to any radiation.

The MRI Machine creates a magnetic field, sends radio waves through your body, and then measures the response with a computer. This creates an image or picture of the soft tissue, muscle and organs inside your body that is much clearer that can be obtained with most other methods.

In most cases, you can just stick with your normal, eveyday routine -- no special preparation is needed. You can eat and drink your usual diet, work, or play sports (unless you have an injury!) -- and take any prescription medications you need. However, there may be some circumstances in which you'll be given specific instructions to follow before the exam. These will be given to you by your doctor, or by his/her representative.

MRI's can provide very early detection of many conditions, so treatment can be more effective. The excellent quality of MRI images can also provide the best possible information if surgery is required. If there is an abnormality, MRI can show exactly where it is, it's size, and whether or not it has spread.

Yes, because the MRI machine uses a strong magnetic field, which will move objects made with iron or steel, let your doctor know if you have any items in the Detail Area. Also, if you're pregnant, let the doctor know. Even metal objects not made of iron or steel can interfere with the exam -- so don't bring any of the items listed in the detail area into the examination room ( a secure place to store your valuables will be provided). Magnetic waves can also erase the code on bank cards and credit cards, so don't bring any to your exam. Last of all, you may be asked to change into a patient gown.

Let Your Doctor Know if you have..
A Pacemaker
Aneurysm Clips
Cochlear Implants
A Neuro-stimulator (Tens-Unit)
Metal Implants
Steel Surgical Staples or Clips
Any Implated Drug Infusion Device
Any Implant made wholly or partially of Iron or Steel

Do not bring the following items...
Coins
Jewelry
Watches
Keys
Dentures or Partial Plates
Hearing Aides

Yes, although they will likely have to wait in a waiting room while the scan is being done. However, while you are having your scan done, you can communicate with a technologist at any time through an intercom syatem.

To begin the exam, you will lie down on the exam table. When the machine starts to work, you'll hear some loud knocking sounds. These sounds occur whenever the MRI pictures are being taken. Think of them as the clicks a VERY large camera would make when taking pictures! In any case, although it's noisy, an MRI exam is completely painless. The only thing you MUST do is HOLD STILL. When you take a picture with a camera, your subject must keep still or the picture will come out blurry. It's the same with an MRI machine. If you move, the scans will be out of focus -- and you may have to repeat the exam. If necessary, you may be injected with a solution called a "contrast agent." This allows the radiologist to see the image more clearly. MRI contrast agents typically have few or no side effects, and the injection likely will just feel like a slight "pinch." You may be asked to give your consent to this injection, at which time a more detailed explanation about the contrast agent will be given to you by the technologist.

The exam can last from 30 minutes to usually no more than an hour.

Well, you may feel very well rested since you've been lying on a table and doing absolutely nothing! (In fact, some people even fall asleep during the exam.) Other than that, you'll fell perfectly normal and can go back to your everyday activities.

We will call and confirm your appointment the day prior to your scheduled exam. We will ask you to arrive 30 minutes before your exam to complete the necessary paperwork. Some of the paperwork may be completed before your appointment. Our website contains the general patient registration forms for your convenience. If possible, please print, complete and bring these forms to your appointment. It will speed up your paperwork processing.

Your physician, who requested the exams to be performed, will contact you.

We ask that the patient verify insurance coverage with his/her insurance carrier regarding benefits and eligibility.

We ask that the patient verify insurance coverage with his/her insurance carrier regarding benefits and eligibility.

Pricing will be dependent on the type of examination the physician has ordered and the exam the patient will ultimately receive. For approximate price quotes, please contact our Billing hotline at (702) 471-6470.

We accept Medicare, Medicaid and most PPO's. We are also a provider on certain workers compensation plans.