Radiology
Under the direction of board certified and board eligible radiologists, J.C. Blair's Radiology Department offers a full complement of diagnostic services in one convenient location. Physician referral is required for diagnostic services at J.C. Blair. Special preparation may be necessary for some diagnostic tests. Ask your physician how to prepare for your test or give us a call at (814) 643-8624.
CT Scanning
The CT Services of the Department of Radiology at J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital are accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) to perform and interpret CT scans.
Simple, safe, and virtually painless scan of the head, chest, liver, spleen, pancreas, adrenal glands, kidneys or spine.
CT scan produces images that can be recreated in different angles to help detect conditions which do not show up on conventional x-ray.
Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Instructions for your CT Scan at J.C. Blair.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
The MRI Services of the Department of Radiology at J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital are accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) to perform and interpret MRI scans.
Using the new, very powerful GE HDe 1.5 Tesla magnet, top quality images are generated producing the best image and clarity to make detailed and accurate diagnosis of the abdomen, chest, head, joints, neck, pelvis, spine and other critical areas of the body.
The short, wide tunnel offers patients more space and comfort.
The high field, short bore MRI is much faster than an open MRI reducing actual scan time in the unit.
Benefits of MRI:
- Painless and safe exam
- No ionizing radiation
- Better visualization of soft tissue structures
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Instructions for your MRI at J.C. Blair.
MRI screening form.
Patient information brochure.
Ultrasound
The Ultrasound Services of the Department of Radiology at J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital are accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) to perform and interpret ultrasound studies.
Colorflow, Doppler, and B-scan for obstetrics, gynecological, vascular and other applications.
Our ultrasound study uses high frequency sound waves to create an image of the organ, structure or blood flow inside the body.
Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Instructions for your Ultrasound at J.C. Blair.
Digital Mammography
The Digital Mammography Services of the Department of Radiology at J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital are accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to perform and interpret mammograms in accordance wit the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992.
High-quality digital imaging using low dose x-ray system for examination of the breast.
If a mass is found, mammography technologists work closely with the patient, physicians, and surgeons to diagnose, treat and follow up as appropriate.
J.C. Blair provides over 4,000 mammograms/year.
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Instructions for your Digital Mammogram at J.C. Blair.
Nuclear Medicine
The Nuclear Medicine Services of the Department of Radiology at J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) to perform and interpret Nuclear Medicine exams.
J.C. Blair performs heart, gall bladder, renal, lung thyroid, and bone scan studies.
Nuclear medicine is the usage of a small amount of a radioisotope administered in several ways: injection, I. V., capsule or inhalation. The isotope travels to "target" organ and tissues and provides images of the organ to be interpreted by the radiologist.
Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Instructions for your Nuclear Medicine Study at J.C. Blair.
General Radiology
J.C. Blair offers a wide variety of diagnostic x-ray procedures including examination of the skeletal system, the chest, abdomen, the genitourinary tract and the gastrointestinal system.
Bone Densitometry
Comfortable, simple, painless test to measure the health of your bones.
J.C. Blair uses a highly sensitive DEXA bone densitometer to measure the bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine and hip which are the most frequent sites of fracture. This information will be used by your physician in making a diagnosis about your bone status and fracture risk and is also used to evaluate response to treatment for osteoporosis.
Hours: Thursdays 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Instructions for your Bone Densitometry Scan at J.C. Blair.
Positron Emission Testing (PET) Scan
PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography. It's a procedure that adds an important new dimension to a physician's ability to diagnose and manage disease.
PET is a powerful diagnostic test that is having a major impact on the diagnosis and treatment of disease. PET can detect and stage most cancers, often before they are evident through other tests. PET can also give your physician important early information about heart disease and many neurological disorders, like Alzheimer's. Instead of detecting changes in the physical size or structure of internal organs, as other traditional imaging technologies do, PET detects changes in the cellular function. Since these functional changes take place before physical changes occur. PET can provide information that enables your physician to make an earlier diagnosis or to determine if current treatment is working effectively.
Even if a previous CT or MRI detected disease or abnormalities, PET can help, because PET can often characterize the cellular function early in the course of the disease.
These capabilities can translate into faster initiation of the best possible treatment while avoiding more invasive exams or exploratory surgery.
Benefits of PET:
- Painless and safe exam
- Provides earlier detection of recurrent cancer
- Differentiates between non-malignant (benign) and malignant tumors
- Eliminates invasive procedures and multiple tests
- Avoids unnecessary surgery
- Assesses the location and the stage of malignant disease accurately
- Locates previously unknown metastases using a whole body survey
- Monitors the efficiency of patient care and management
- Reduces the time to diagnosis and leads to earlier treatment
The exam is virtually painless and can eliminate invasive procedures and tests.
Hours: Three Saturdays of every month 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Instructions for your PET Scan at J.C. Blair.
Radiology Staff:
- Maria T. Pettinger, M.D., Radiologist, Medical Director
- Francis X. Pessolano,M.D., Radiologist
- Larry L. Garman, RT(R)(CT), Clinical Director
- Scott E. Houck, RT(R)(CT), Radiology Supervisor/PACS Administrator
The Radiology staff at J.C. Blair is fully credentialed to perform the diagnostic services provided.