Diagnostic imaging in Manchester, New Hampshire

Our imaging specialists combine personalized care with the latest technological advancements.

At Catholic Medical Center, our board-certified radiologists, technologists, registered nurses and experienced support staff deliver advanced care with compassion and professionalism. If your doctor requests imaging, our goal is to provide quality images and procedures with minimal discomfort.

Imaging exams and services

A complete range of state-of-the-art diagnostic exams and therapeutic services are available:

  • Bone density scan
  • Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
  • Breast ultrasound
  • Cardiology imaging
  • Cardiac MRI
  • Cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) scan
  • Computerized tomography (CT) scan
  • 3D digital mammography (3D tomosynthesis)
  • Digital bone densitometry (DEXA)
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Interventional radiology
  • Nuclear medicine
  • PET imaging
  • Stereotactic breast biopsy
  • Ultrasound and ultrasound-guided biopsy
  • X-ray
  • MRI breast biopsy
  • Other MRI scans

We also offer additional treatments and minimally invasive procedures, including:

  • Kyphoplasty
  • Microwave tumor ablation
  • Migraine treatments (SPG Block)
  • Pain control
  • Radioembolization
  • Uterine fibroid embolization

Cancer screenings

We conduct cancer screenings to help detect cancer as early as possible and ensure that treatment can be its most effective.

Breast cancer screening

We offer advanced breast imaging technology to help identify the earliest signs of cancer in every breast. Our mammography services are accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and certified by the Food and Drug Administration.

Lung cancer screenings

Our Radiology Department is designated as an ACR-accredited lung cancer screening center. This means you can be assured that the technologists, equipment and physicians providing your care have met and exceeded stringent guidelines.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in New Hampshire and the United States. Unlike many other types of cancer, people do not seek out screening as often. As a result, lung cancer is diagnosed often at a later stage when treatment is difficult.

Lung cancer screenings aim to find lung cancer in its earlier stages, when it’s easier to treat and often before any symptoms are noticeable.

Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screenings are recommended for people between the ages of 50 and 77 who have a smoking history of 20 years or more (20 pack-years), currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years.

You must complete a shared decision making visit with your doctor before having a LDCT.

A low dose CT chest scan is a quick, painless procedure. Lasting only a few minutes, a LDCT exposes you to a much lower dose of radiation than a traditional chest CT scan.

Your examination is interpreted by a radiologist, and your results are shared with your doctor. If your CT needs further evaluation, your doctor will talk to you about next steps. At Catholic Medical Center, we work together closely across disciplines so you receive the care you need.

Prostate cancer screenings

MRIs capture detailed images of your body, especially soft tissue and internal organs. Prostate MRIs help detect cancer in the prostate and determine how aggressive and advanced it is. Prostate cancer, when detected early enough, is highly treatable.

A doctor might order a prostate MRI for someone who has prostate cancer symptoms but their biopsy results were negative. It can also help locate and stage a prostate tumor to determine the right treatment plan. Because there is no radiation exposure, you can receive multiple MRIs to monitor a tumor without recurring biopsies.

Prostate MRIs are noninvasive, outpatient procedures during which a radiologist uses IV dye to identify prostate cancer. During a prostate MRI, you lie on a table and are gently guided into a tube-like machine. The entire procedure takes about 45-60 minutes, and your results are interpreted by a fellowship-trained radiologist with expertise in prostate imaging.

Recurrent prostate cancer screenings

We offer a new screening that checks for disease recurrence in the prostate bed or elsewhere in your body. If you treated your prostate cancer with surgery and other interventions but have a new increase in prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, this screening designed to help.

Interventional radiology

Most interventional radiology procedures are quick, same day and very safe. They also allow for shorter recovery times with as good or better outcomes than more invasive, traditional surgical procedures.

The sophisticated digital and computer-enhanced imaging equipment in our Interventional Radiology Suite allows physicians to perform high-tech procedures with unprecedented imaging using extremely low radiation.

Interventional back pain management

Image-guided procedures can help effectively treat various kinds of chronic back pain. Most procedures are short, allowing you to return home the same day and often return to normal activity the next day. Image-guided back pain procedures do not cure the cause of back pain, but they can provide much-needed relief while you heal from injury or await surgery. Referrals are coordinated through your primary care doctor or pain management doctor.

Epidural steroid injection (ESI)

An epidural steroid injection, or ESI, targets relief to the nerve or group of nerves in your spine's epidural space. Your doctor guides the needle using an X-ray, while a combination of anesthetic and steroids are applied at the injection site. The procedure can be repeated several times a year, although you may experience different results each time.

An ESI’s alleviating effect can last anywhere from a few weeks to a year. Injections alone may not provide total relief but can ease symptoms while you heal, participate in physical therapy or await surgery.

Rhizotomy

Rhizotomy ablates, or burns, the sensory nerves coming from the spine’s facet joints. This procedure eases chronic pain in the neck or lower back, often stemming from arthritis. Treatments typically last for six to 12 months, can be repeated and work alongside other forms of therapy.

Prior to the procedure, you will receive up to three nerve block injections, isolating the affected nerves. During the rhizotomy, a doctor numbs the injection site and inserts an electrode needle through a catheter into the area of the inflamed nerve. Your doctor then uses a real-time X-ray, guiding the needle to the correct location. Once the needle is in place, the tip heats up and burns the ends of the nerves, blocking their sensation and providing immediate pain relief.

Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty treats compression fractures of the vertebrae — a condition often seen in people with osteoporosis.

A balloon, inserted through a catheter into the damaged vertebra, creates a cavity which is filled with a cement-like material that hardens. This procedure restores the vertebra’s structure and instantly relieves pain.

We expanded our kyphoplasty program and now conduct both inpatient and outpatient procedures. For outpatients, the procedure is performed same-day and does not require a hospital stay.

We work in collaboration with our pain center to offer a comprehensive care plan incorporating a range of traditional and non-traditional therapies to treat pain.

SPG block treatment for migraines

The SPG block can provide relief from migraines, other headaches and facial pain. In this image-guided procedure, an interventional radiologist delivers concentrated lidocaine — a pain reliever — through the nose and applies it directly to the group of nerves causing these headaches. Relief is often immediate and lasts for weeks or months without the need for other injections or medicines.

SPG block is effective in treating migraines, sinus and cluster headaches, spinal headaches, atypical facial pain and some trigeminal neuralgia. It can also help alleviate severe vomiting during pregnancy, nausea caused by headaches and head and neck cancer symptoms.

The procedure takes about 20 minutes, is virtually pain free and requires no preparation. SPG block is about 90% effective and can be repeated as needed to reduce pain.

Pelvic congestion

Pelvic congestion is an often-painful condition in which varicose veins develop in the pelvis. These enlarged, inflamed ovarian veins can compress organs around the pelvic region causing discomfort that feels like:

  • Pain, pressure or a throbbing sensation of fullness
  • Pain that increases after long periods of standing

Pelvic congestion occurs in pre-menopausal women and is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood. Women with pelvic congestion may also have visible varicose veins on their legs.

The condition is detected with a pelvic ultrasound, MRI or CT scan and can be successfully treated through embolization. During this procedure, a radiologist will insert a catheter into the affected ovarian veins and place a coil that blocks the blood supply and shuts down the veins.

The same-day procedure is highly effective in treating the widely undiagnosed and painful condition, and it’s an alternative to a hysterectomy. This treatment relieves pelvic congestion symptoms with no proven long-term effect on fertility.

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE)

Uterine fibroids are abnormal growths in the uterus muscle. They are fairly common and can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

  • Heavy periods
  • Pain, pressure or a feeling of fullness
  • Frequent urination
  • Constipation
  • Difficulty getting pregnant

UFE is a minimally invasive treatment and an alternative to a myomectomy or hysterectomy. During this procedure, a radiologist uses image guidance to insert a catheter through the femoral artery into the uterus and direct small, plastic beads into the fibroid. Those beads, called microspheres, block the blood supply to the fibroids, which then shrink to relieve your symptoms.

UFE avoids many of the possible complications of a hysterectomy and preserves fertility. Often, you can return home the same day and are able to return to work within 24 to 48 hours.

Cardiology imaging for TAVR

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure that replaces the aortic valve in people who have severe aortic stenosis, or narrowing of the valve opening. The TAVR device is a small, round mesh implant. It is inserted via catheter and replaces the old valve, eliminating the need for open-heart surgery.

Prior to the TAVR procedure, you will undergo an in-depth CT scan to capture a comprehensive picture of the heart, other organs and the specific artery. With a detailed, 3D image of your heart, your cardiologist maps the procedure and determines what size implant to use. The CT imaging also tells our doctors if you have any conditions that could lead to complications, like cancer or vascular disease.

A radiologist is also involved in the TAVR procedure, guiding the cardiologist using CT and X-ray. Typically, you will spend the night in the hospital and return home the next day. Our TAVR program is one of the leading programs in the country. Since 2015, our team has performed hundreds of procedures and is often highlighted at industry conferences as an exemplary program.

Long term venous access

You might need a catheter placed under the skin to make administering chemotherapy drugs, drawing blood or draining fluids easier.

Radiologists can place a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) or port for long term vascular access, benefiting anyone who needs a prolonged course of medication therapy, other forms of IV infusion or intravenous nutrition.

If you have fluid buildup around the lung or in the abdomen, you might need a drainage catheter. This device can be a more comfortable alternative to repeat blood draws and fluid drains.

Our imaging experts

Our team includes radiology-certified nurses who support interventional procedures across radiology. They provide pre- and post-recovery care for procedures, including:

  • Ablative treatments
  • Arterial and venous intervention
  • CT, ultrasound and X-ray-guided biopsies
  • Interventional oncology
  • IV hydration and infusions
  • PICC/port/midline catheter placement