Radiology & Imaging

Eden Medical Center uses state-of-the-art technology to create the most comprehensive and advanced imaging services in the East Bay.

Radiology and imaging services are available at our Eden Campus and San Leandro Hospital Campus:

Eden Campus
20103 Lake Chabot Road
Castro Valley, CA 94546
(510) 537-1234

San Leandro Hospital Campus
13855 East 14th Street
San Leandro, CA 94578
(510) 357-6500


Radiology Services


CT Scan of the Body

Computed tomography (CT) scan is a test that combines x-rays with computer scans to produce detailed pictures of structures inside the body. The scans appear as slices. The result is a detailed picture that may show problems with soft tissue (such as the lining of sinuses), organs (such as kidneys or lungs) and bones. CT scanning can be used to obtain information about almost any body organ, blood vessel, the abdominal and thoracic cavities, bones and the spinal column.

During a CT scan, the area being studied is positioned inside a cylinder that is part of the CT scanner. The cylinder can tilt and the x-ray scanning devices within it can rotate to obtain the views needed. There is radiation with CT, but the benefits far outweigh any risk.

For more information about CT scans, including how to prepare and what to expect during the appointment, click here: click here.

Contact Radiology Services at:
(510) 889-5020 at Eden Campus



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Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses sound waves to form pictures of your internal organs that appear on a screen. It can help assess pain or other symptoms. It can help detect organ problems, such as gallstones, kidney stones, liver, breast and thyroid disease or pain in the pelvis. In pregnant women, it is used to check the fetus (unborn baby). The test is done by moving a probe over the skin to view the structures below. This test involves no radiation and is considered harmless.

For more information about ultrasounds, including how to prepare and what to expect during the test, click here.

Contact Radiology Services at:
(510) 889-5020 at Eden Campus


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Fluoroscopy


Fluoroscopy uses continuous beams of X-rays to evaluate structures and movement within the body, such as blood traveling through a blood vessel, the diaphragm moving up and down, or food moving through the digestive tract. It also can be used to help a health professional locate a foreign object in the body, position a catheter or needle for a procedure or realign a broken bone.

Fluoroscopy can deliver more radiation than conventional X-rays. A dye, or contrast material, that shows up on X-rays can be injected or swallowed during fluoroscopy to outline blood vessels or organs.

Fluoroscopy is usually done during other diagnostic procedures. For example, fluoroscopy is done during cardiac catheterization to evaluate the condition of the coronary arteries and the flow of blood through them. Fluoroscopy can also be used to evaluate the condition of the urinary tract or the digestive tract.

For more information about fluoroscopy tests, including how to prepare and what to expect during the test, click here.

Contact Radiology Services at:
(510) 889-5020 at Eden Campus


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Interventional

Interventional services are provided by the radiologists and include CT- and Ultrasound-guided biopsies and drainages, uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, chemotherapy port placement, central line placement, gastric tube placement, angiography, embolizations, as well as other imaging guided interventions.

Neurointerventional
At Eden Campus, we have a bi-plane neurointerventional unit capable of producing 3-D images used for angiography and treating brain aneurysms as well as embolization of brain tumors.

Contact Interventional Services at:
(510) 727-2790 at Eden Campus

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Imaging Center


Mammography


Eden Medical Center has ACR (American College of Radiology) and FDA approved full field digital mammography with Computer Aided Detection (CAD). In digital mammography, x-ray beams are captured on specially designed digital detectors. The digital detector converts the x-ray beams into electronic signals, which are then sent to a computer. Each image will be checked for completeness by the technologist in the room. The radiologist can review the digital mammogram on a high-resolution computer monitor.

Screening mammography is used as a preventive measure for women who have no symptoms of breast disease. A screening mammogram usually involves two views of each breast.

Diagnostic mammography involves additional views of the breast, and is used when an abnormality is found during screening, or in women who have breast complaints, such as a breast mass, nipple discharge, breast pain or skin irritation.

A mammogram is done to help screen or diagnose breast cancer. Many small tumors can be seen on a mammogram before a woman or her doctor can feel them. Cancer is most easily treated and cured when it is discovered in an early stage.

Many organizations, such as the American Cancer Society and the American College of Radiologists, recommend mammograms every year for women between the ages of 40 and 49. Others, such as the National Cancer Institute, recommend mammograms every 1 to 2 years. Women in this age group should discuss the medical evidence concerning mammograms with their doctors when deciding how often to have a mammogram. Doctors recommend that mammography be combined with clinical breast examinations done by a health professional.

For more information about mammography tests, including how to prepare and what to expect during the test, click here.

Stereotactic breast biopsy
Stereotactic breast biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses special three-dimensional computerized imaging to pinpoint suspicious areas in the breast so that tissue samples may be withdrawn with a needle. Stereotactic breast biopsy is especially useful when the abnormality can be seen on a mammogram or ultrasound that cannot be felt. It is a simple procedure and the results are as accurate as when a tissue sample is removed surgically to determine whether a breast lump is benign (of no danger to health) or malignant (a threat to health). The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and generally takes about one hour. In general, it is not painful. Following the procedure you can usually resume normal activities.

Contact Imaging Services at:
(510) 889-5044 at Eden Campus



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MRI


MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to provide pictures of organs and structures inside the body. In many cases, MRI provides information that cannot be obtained from X-ray, ultrasound or CT scans.

For an MRI test, the area of the body being studied is positioned inside a strong magnetic field. The MRI can detect changes in the normal structure and characteristics of organs or other tissues. These changes may indicate disease caused by trauma, infection, inflammation or tumors. Information from an MRI scan can be saved and stored in a computer for further study. Photographs or films of selected views can also be made.

MRI is used to detect problems of the head and brain, chest (including the heart), blood vessels, abdomen, bones, joints and spine.

For more information about MRI tests, including how to prepare and what to expect during the test, click here.

(510) 889-5044 at Eden Campus



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Nuclear Medicine


A nuclear medicine scan is an imaging test used to check the health of your internal organs and bones. Among organs often studied are the heart, lungs, thyroid, gallbladder and liver, as well as checking blood flow through the muscle or walls of the heart. Thyroid cancer may also be treated. This test uses a small amount of radioactive isotope (tracer) and a special camera to form an image. The tracer can be injected, inhaled or swallowed. You will need to wait a few minutes, hours, or even a few days before having your scan. This allows the tracer to concentrate in the part of your body being studied.

(510) 889-5044 at Eden Campus
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Bone Densitometry


Eden Medical Center’s densitometry machine scans patients’ bones and measures calcium content (density), mainly of the spine and hip. The bone densitometry services offered by Eden are comprehensive, measuring central and peripheral bone density. We are firmly committed to finding new and more effective ways to help our physicians diagnose osteoporosis and assess fracture risk.

What is Bone Densitometry or Bone Mineral Density Testing?
Minerals, such as calcium, are constantly being added to and taken away from bone each day. When minerals are taken away faster than they are added, the bones become lighter, less dense and more porous. This makes the bones weaker and increases their risk of fracture.

A bone mineral density (BMD) test measures the quantity of calcium in a region of the bones. Once a patient completes this test, the doctor and patient will have clear information of the strength of their bones.

Bones naturally become thinner as you grow older, because existing bone breaks down faster than new bone is made. As this occurs, the bones lose minerals, again such as calcium, heaviness (mass) and structure, making them weaker. With further bone loss, a patient develops osteoporosis. Although osteoporosis can occur in men, it is most common in women who have gone through menopause.

Ordinary X-rays cannot detect mild bone loss. A bone must lose at least a quarter of its weight before a standard X-ray can detect the problem.

Bone density measurements can be done on several bones in the body. Controversy exists over which bones are best to use for BMD measurements. The bones most commonly used are those in the lower spine and hip. These bones generally have the greatest amount of bone loss and are at the highest risk of fracture. In special cases, bones in the wrist may be used for BMD measurements.

What Techniques Can Be Used to Measure BMD?
Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). DEXA uses two different X-ray beams. The amount of each X-ray beam blocked by bone and soft tissue are compared to estimate the bone density. DEXA is the most accurate method for measuring BMD. It is fast and uses very low doses of radiation, 1/10th the radiation of a typical chest x-ray. DEXA measures BMD on bones of the spine and hip. Under good conditions, DEXA can measure as little as 2 percent of bone loss per year. Peripheral DEXA (P-DEXA) is a modification of the DEXA technique. It measures bone density in outlying, or peripheral, areas of the body, such as the wrist, and can be done by Eden’s machine. The disadvantages of P-DEXA include an inability to measure density of the bones most likely to fracture, such as the hip and spine, because of osteoporosis, and its limited usefulness for monitoring the effect of medication used to treat osteoporosis.

If bone density is lower than normal, action can be taken to increase bone strength and reduce the risk of fracture. Some ways to increase bone density and strength include taking calcium and vitamin D supplements, doing weight-bearing exercise such as walking, weight training and certain FDA approved medications such as Bisphosphonates.

For more information about bone densitometry tests, including how to prepare and what to expect during the appointment, click here: click here.

(510) 889-5044 at Eden Campus


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Referrals and Scheduling

The Imaging Center is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Center is located on the ground floor, at the West Entrance. Convenient parking is located just yards from the West Entrance, at the rear of the hospital.

To schedule your appointment, call (510) 889-5020.

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to their appointment and remember to bring your health care insurance card and doctor’s orders or referral sheet.

For other radiology services, please visit our Radiology Department on the first floor or call (510) 889-5052.



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Preparing for Your Appointment


Mammography Patient Guidelines

  • Your mammogram should be scheduled after your period if you are still menstruating.
  • After bathing on the day of your exam, please do not use powder, cream, antiperspirant or deodorant under your arms or around the breast area.
  • Dress in a two-piece outfit. You will be asked to remove only the top piece.
  • Bring your prior mammography films and reports if you are new to our Center.
  • During the mammogram, your breast is compressed between two pieces of plastic while a low-dose x-ray is taken. It is a simple procedure that takes just 10 minutes. Results are mailed to you and to your referring physician within 5-7 business days.
  • As a safety precaution, please do not bring children with you for an appointment unless you have another adult to take care of them.


    • MRI Patient Guidelines
  • Leave valuables at home. Try to avoid wearing a watch or clothing with metal. If you cannot wear clothes without metal, you will need to change into a gown for your exam. Also remove any body piercing(s) before your appointment.
  • You may take any of your normal medication, and also eat and drink as usual.
  • Patients with pacemakers cannot be scanned.
  • Inform us if you have worked in welding, grinding or metal works. If so, x-rays must be performed before your procedure to check for metal fragments. You must arrive earlier so that these can be done before your scheduled exam. This is done for your safety.


    • Nuclear Medicine Patient Guidelines
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing for your scan. You will be able to wear your clothes during the scan, but will be asked to empty pockets and remove any heavy objects (like belts or necklaces) that could interfere with the test. If possible, please leave these objects at home.
  • The imaging agent you receive does not cause any side effects. You should be able to do all of your normal activities following completion of the study.




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    Our Team

    Your health care team includes national and state certified MRI, mammography, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and radiologic technologists.

    The radiologists on staff are members of Bay Imaging Consultants:
    Richard Baxter, M.D.
    Royce Chrys, M.D.
    Eric Dourchi, M.D.
    Erik Gaensler, M.D.
    Mark Goldsmith, M.D.
    Thomas Joseph, M.D.
    Aaron Kaplan, M.D.
    Robert Kim, M.D.
    Keyvan Nouri, M.D.
    Ronald Olson, M.D.

    Director of Radiology:
    Ginny Carpenter, BSRT,(R)(CRT)
    (510) 889-5052



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