General Radiology Services
If you have a prescription for a radiology service, call us at 203.276.2602 to schedule an appointment.
Comprehensive, State-Of-The-Art Imaging Services For Every Need
Stamford Health is proud to offer cutting-edge technology and expert care for all radiology services. Once your physician has issued you a prescription for an X-ray, bone density scan, ultrasound, or nuclear medicine service, our entire team is committed to creating a comfortable and safe experience for you. Following your appointment, preliminary results of all exams are communicated promptly to the referring physician, and a written report is provided within a few days.
With multiple locations throughout Fairfield County and convenient business hours, scheduling an appointment is simple and efficient.
Some of our services and locations don’t require an appointment or a referral, so you can walk in when it is convenient for you.
We are committed to providing the highest level of care for every patient. Each of our imaging technologists have earned specialized certifications in their area of expertise.
X-Rays
X-rays use a form of electromagnetic radiation to create images of shadows that reflect the soft and dense tissues and structures inside the body.
- Our board-certified radiologists meet the strict credentialing and continuing education requirements of the American College of Radiology.
- Radiologists are always on-site, directing and monitoring exams and answering questions from you or your doctor.
- Because of advances in X-ray technology, Stamford Health no longer recommends the use of lead apron shields. Current X-ray equipment uses much lower doses of radiation, and new research shows that the shields offer no real benefit.
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How do you prepare for a gastro-intestinal examination?
Esophagram and UGI:
- Eat light for 24 hours prior to your exam.
- Adults should not eat anything after midnight prior to the exam.
- Children from birth to 2 years of age should not eat or drink anything three hours prior to the exam.
- Children 2-17 years of age should not eat or drink anything four hours prior to the exam.
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HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A BARIUM ENEMA?
For a barium enema X-ray examination of the lower gastrointestinal tract, you’ll need to have the following at home:
- Miralax, 238 gram (8.3 ounce) bottle.
- Bisacodyl (generic) or Dulcolax (brand name) laxative tablets, small box.
- Gatorade or other sports drink, 64 oz.
- Desitin or A&D ointment to protect your anal skin from the diarrhea caused by the preparation.
On the day before your examination:
- Eat a light breakfast such as juice, cereal with skim milk, toast with jelly, coffee, or tea.
- Have a light lunch around noon. You may have clear liquids (see below), small portions of chicken (white meat only) or fish, plain gelatin, white bread (no butter), eggs (boiled or poached), farina (not oatmeal). Avoid foods on the restricted list (see below).
- After 2 p.m., only consume clear liquids. Mix all of the Miralax with the entire bottle of Gatorade and refrigerate it.
- At 5 p.m., take four Dulcolax tablets one at a time with five minutes between each – with a full glass of water.
- At 6 p.m., begin drinking the Miralax mixture within 60 to 90 minutes. Then continue to drink plenty of clear fluids until bedtime to ensure hydration.
- Clear liquids include strained fruit juices without pulp (i.e. apple, white grape, and lemonade), sports drinks or punch, water, clear, fat-free broth or bouillon, coffee or tea without milk or non-dairy creamer.
- Avoid vegetables, fruits, or fruit nectars (only clear juices allowed), nuts, fats, butter, milk (or any milk product), fried food, beef, pork, or lamb, and whole-grain cereal. It is advisable to reduce fruit/vegetable intake for two days before the exam.
On the day of the examination:
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight before your exam.
- If you are thirsty, you may drink up to 8 oz. of water two hours before the exam. Please note: Do not drink anything immediately before the exam.
- The test usually takes one hour.
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HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A GENITOURINARY EXAMINATION OR INTRAVENOUS PYELOGRAM (IVP)?
On the day before your examination:
- You may eat a normal breakfast.
- Have a light lunch around noon. You may have clear liquids (see below), small portions of chicken (white meat only) or fish, plain gelatin, white bread (no butter), eggs (boiled or poached), farina (not oatmeal). Avoid foods on the restricted list (see below).
- You should be on clear liquids only – and plenty of them to ensure hydration — after 5 p.m. until bedtime.
- Clear liquids include strained fruit juices without pulp (i.e. apple, white grape, and lemonade), sports drinks or punch, water, clear, fat-free broth or bouillon, coffee or tea without milk or non-dairy creamer.
- Avoid vegetables, fruits, or fruit nectars (only clear juices allowed), nuts, fats, butter, milk (or any milk product), fried food, beef, pork or lamb, and whole-grain cereal. It is advisable to reduce fruit/vegetable intake for two days before the exam.
On the day of your exam:
- Do not eat any solid food until after your examination.
- If you are thirsty, you may drink up to 8 oz. of water two hours before the exam. Please note: Do not drink anything immediately before the exam.
Where To Get An X-Ray
148 East Avenue - Suite 1M
Norwalk, CT 06851
(203) 276-4311
Norwalk, CT 06851
(203) 276-4311
Bone Density
A bone density scan is a simple, non-invasive test that measures a person's bone density or volume of calcium and minerals within bone tissue.
- The test uses a low dose X-ray to detect signs of bone thinning and mineral loss.
- This test, which takes about 15 minutes, is usually recommended for women to begin with a baseline exam around the onset of menopause. For men, we generally recommend a baseline exam at age 65.
- Depending on your medical history and scores from the first baseline exam, we usually recommend returning every other year (insurance typically covers on a two-year basis for screening purposes). However, your doctor will let you know the best course of action as everyone’s individual situation differs.
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HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A BONE DENSITY SCAN?A bone density scan requires little preparation. Wear loose, comfortable clothing with no metal zippers or undergarments containing metal to your appointment. Please do not wear any jewelry as it needs to be removed for the exam. You may eat normally and take medications as prescribed by your doctor the morning of your test. In addition, you must not have had any exams involving barium or radioisotopes within the month.
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HOW CAN YOU SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT?
A physician referral is required, so it is important that you discuss this exam with your physician. You or your physician can call 203.276.2602.
To save time, please print and fill out our Bone Density Questionnaire, available in:
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HOW LONG WILL THIS EXAM TAKE?Typically a bone density scan takes around 15-20 minutes.
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HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO SEE THE RESULTS OF THE EXAM?A report will be generate and sent to your physician and can also be reviewed via the Patient Portal or call the Health Information Management Department at 203.276.7455. You can also fill out the medical record request form, bring your photo ID, and visit the center where your exam was held. To obtain copies of your scan, please complete our release form which will allow us to print a hard copy for you.
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WILL MY INSURANCE COVER THE EXAM?Typically insurance will cover on a two-year basis for screening purposes. Speak to your physician as individual medical history will play an important role.
Bone Density Scan Locations
148 East Avenue - Suite 1M
Norwalk, CT 06851
(203) 276-4311
Norwalk, CT 06851
(203) 276-4311
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a painless and radiation-free imaging procedure that visualizes internal structures by recording and directing sound waves to a specific area of the body.
- These high-frequency sound waves are transmitted through a hand-held transducer with the aid of ultrasound gel.
- The sound waves are reflected off of the area being reviewed and they are converted by a computer into sonographic images. These images are displayed onto a monitor and recorded for the radiologist to review and interpret.
- Our highly skilled technologists perform ultrasounds in the areas of the breasts, blood vessels, OB-GYN, abdominal, thyroid, lymph nodes, and more.
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HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR AN ULTRASOUND?Typically, ultrasound examinations do not require any preparation. Your doctor will let you know if there is an exception such as whether you should refrain from eating or drinking before the exam.
Ultrasound Locations
148 East Avenue - Suite 1M
Norwalk, CT 06851
(203) 276-4311
Norwalk, CT 06851
(203) 276-4311
Nuclear Medicine
Your health care provider recommended a nuclear medicine procedure (also called a scan) because they think it is the best course of action to determine how well an organ or tissue functions in your body, or how far a disease has progressed.
- Nuclear medicine is a non-invasive radiologic procedure that uses radioactive material to evaluate the functionality of an organ, and to diagnose or treat certain diseases.
- While other radiologic modalities provide images on the structure of an organ, a nuclear medicine procedure provides information on the functionality of that organ. It tells the doctor whether the organ is working as it should or not.
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WHAT HAPPENS DURING A NUCLEAR MEDICINE EXAM?A nuclear medicine exam, which takes about 45 minutes, is very similar to a CT exam in that you will lie very still on a table while being moved in and out of a doughnut-shaped machine.
The radioactive "tracer" is given orally through an IV, or inhaled and is absorbed into your body and accumulates in the tissues. Once the tracer is absorbed, a special nuclear medicine camera detects the radioactive material inside your body, and images of this activity enable the radiologist to study the function of your tissues and anatomy. -
HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A NUCLEAR MEDICINE EXAM?
- For 24 hours before your exam, please do not exercise, and eat a low-carb diet. That means omitting sugar, pasta, bread, potatoes, rice, corn, carrots, fruit, and fruit juice.
- Six hours before your exam, do not eat or drink anything. You should not chew gum, eat mints, or cough drops.
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IS THE RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL SAFE?The radioactive material, when given in small amounts, is not harmful. Most procedures use a very small dose of radioactive material, and the technologist will give the lowest dose necessary for the requested procedure.
Within 24 hours, most radioactive material will leave the body by bowel movements, urination, or sweating. Unless you have been given a treatment and told to stay away from others for a specific period, it isn’t necessary to distance yourself from anyone after the procedure. -
HOW CAN YOU LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SCAN?If you have any questions about your exam, please do not hesitate to contact the Nuclear Medicine Department at 203.276.7064.