The Virginia Physicians, Inc. Imaging Center opened on September 3, 1985. The center was originally named the McGuire Clinic and was established in 1923. The Imaging Center had two Radiographic/Fluoroscopic Rooms, a dedicated Chest Room and one Mammography room. The center services 100 McGuire Clinic physicians. By 1988, a CT scanner, ultrasound and a third Radiographic/Fluoroscopy room were added. In 1991 MRI services were added to round out a full complement services. Our Imaging center has always purchased the latest technology in order to provide the best services to our patients.

The Virginia Physicians, Inc. Imaging Center is certified as a Softer Mammogram Provider®. That means we provide a soft foam cushion, called MammoPad®, for each woman's personal use during every screening mammogram. As a Softer Mammogram Provider, we make it a top priority to ensure each mammogram is warm and comfortable.

It is FDA-cleared, does not impair image quality, and makes it easier for our patients to be relaxed, warm and comfortable during their exam. That helps our highly skilled mammography technologists achieve the best possible mammogram.

MammoPad® has helped millions of women ease the discomfort of getting a mammogram. MammoPad was designed by a female breast surgeon to provide a Softer Mammogram and make mammography more comfortable. The cushion brings warmth, comfort, and cleanliness to the experience.

Descriptions of Imaging Studies
Plain Diagnostic Films - these procedures are not scheduled they are done as needed. These studies have no preparation required and are usually done following a physician visit. Chest x-rays, c-spine (neck) x-rays, and sinus x-rays are performed while the patient is standing. Hand, wrist, and elbow x-rays are performed while sitting in a chair. Shoulder, thoracic/lumbar spine, hip, pelvis, femur (thigh), knee, lower leg, ankle and foot x-rays are all done on a table. Depending on the patient and the equipment available, the test can be performed in whatever manner seen fit by our technologist. 

Fluoroscopy
Barium Swallow - After a preliminary film, the radiologist will ask you to drink barium contrast. This will outline your esophagus, stomach and a portion of you small intestine. This study is mainly to look at the esophagus and the swallowing mechanism. Multiple films will be taken by the radiologist and technologist. We suggest you drink plenty of water following the test to ensure the barium passes through your intestines easily. You may experience chalky stools for a few days after the exam.

Upper GI - After a preliminary film, the radiologist will ask you to drink barium contrast. This will outline your esophagus, stomach and a portion of you small intestine. This study is mainly done to look at the folds of the stomach. Multiple films will be taken by the radiologist and technologist. We suggest you drink plenty of water following the test to ensure the barium passes through your intestines easily. You may experience chalky stools for a few days after the exam.

Barium Enema - You have to follow a bowel cleansing preparation before having this test performed. Following a preliminary film an enema tip is inserted into the rectum. The radiologist will then watch as the barium fills the colon. As the barium goes in and fills the colon you will feel “full” or experience a cramp sensation as though you need to move your bowels. You should try to resist the urge until you are instructed to expel the barium in the toilet. Air is usually introduced to give double contrast to show the lining of the colon. Multiple films will be taken by the radiologist and technologist.

Small Bowel Follow Through - This exam is usually done in conjunction with an Upper GI, but it can be done by itself. For those having an Upper GI, you will then drink more barium after the films from that study are completed in order to visualize the Small Bowel. This test takes an averaged of one and a half hours, but this can vary greatly depend on the patient. Some patients are finished in 30 minutes; others won’t be finished for 5 hours or more. The more you walk around and think about delicious foods the quicker the test usually goes.

Ultrasound
Ultrasound studies like Thyroid, Breast, and Scrotal exams require no prep and the ultrasound transducer is rubbed over the area of interest as films are taken.

Abdominal Ultrasounds
An Abdominal Ultrasound requires that a patient not eat or drink for 12 hours. You will be asked to lie on a table, turn from side to side and hold you breathe while images are being taken of the abdominal organs.

Pelvic Ultrasound
This procedure requires the patient to arrive with a full bladder. The bladder acts like a window to see the uterus and ovaries. If the structures cannot be seen, the Transvaginal US will be performed. This involves placing a probe inside the vagina to visualize the ovaries and uterine texture better.

CT Scans
CT scans are performed with the patient lying on their back and some on their stomach. The area being scanned is inside the gantry of the scanner. Head, Chest, Neck, Abdomen and Pelvic Scans usually require that the patient not eat or drink for 4 hours prior to the study.
CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis most likely require that the patient drink oral contrast one hour prior to the study being performed. Intravenous contrast may also be injected into a vein to enable blood supply to the area being scanned. Patients weighing 300 pounds or more cannot be done. Diabetic patients and patients over 60 will require blood work and a medication check before having a CT scan. Some diabetic medications need to be stopped after intravenous contrast, so please ask to your physician for more information.

MRI Studies
Patients lie inside a gantry as the study is performed. They may have a contrast injected intravenously, depending on the patient history and study being performed. Earplugs are given due to the noise the machine produces. Patients will be screened before scanning, for metal. No pacemakers, etc.