Middle Tennessee Outpatient Diagnostic Center (MTODC) is committed to providing state of the art imaging solutions to the community and our patients. Services offered include CT, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and X-ray. 

CT scan, or Computed Tomography scan, is an advanced diagnostic test that uses X-rays, a special scanner and a computer to produce detailed images of a specific area of your body. These images, when studied in sequence, can give your physician a 3-D view of your body to result in a more accurate diagnosis.

The scanner is made up of a ring containing an X-ray tube and receptors. The region of interest will be placed within the ring and the X-ray tube rotates around you. With each rotation, the tube sends X-rays, and the receptors measure the amount of X-rays absorbed during each rotation of the ring. The computer then transforms these measurements into a visual image. This image, or slice, is viewed on a video screen during the exam and later converted to digital or print media.

Ultrasound is a diagnostic procedure that uses high frequency sound waves that are beyond the human hearing ability.  These sound waves produce high quality images of soft tissues and motion within the body.  Ultrasound involves no x-rays and can provide medical information that in the past may have required surgery.

Ultrasound can detect blood clots, damaged heart tissue, aneurysms, abnormal growths and diseased tissue.  During pregnancy a baby’s size, weight, position and physical condition can be determined.  Ultrasound can also be used to diagnose and treat muscle injuries and some joint problems.

                                                                                            
Nuclear medicine is a broad term that covers several different diagnostic tests, including scans of the heart, brain, liver, thyroid, gallbladder and bones.  Nuclear medicine is used to diagnose conditions and to manage, treat and prevent serious disease. Nuclear medicine testing provides information about both the structure and function of nearly every major organ, unlike diagnostic radiology procedures, which are based upon anatomy.

Some of the more common uses of nuclear medicine imaging include but are not limited to the following:      

Cardiac stress test to analyze heart function 

Diagnose coronary artery disease and determine if the patient is a candidate for bypass surgery or   angioplasty

Diagnose and treat hyperthyroidism (Grave’s disease)

Liver and gallbladder procedures to diagnose abnormal function or blockages

Nuclear medicine testing uses trace amounts of radioactive materials, isotopes, to diagnose and treat disease.  There isotopes are substances that are attracted to specific organs, bones or tissues.  During a nuclear medicine test the isotopes emit gamma rays that can be detected outside the body by gamma cameras.  From the data gathered by the camera, the computers then form images that provide diagnostic information about the area of the body to be examined.   

Nuclear medicine testing is safe and painless.  The amount of radiation is a nuclear medicine test is the equivalent to that received during an x-ray.
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X-ray is one of the oldest forms of medical imaging.  It is painless and can help is diagnosis and treatment.  It is a fast, easy and safe way to assess conditions ranging from broken bones, to pneumonia to cancer.  

An x-ray uses electromagnetic radiation to make images of you bones, teeth and internal organs; it allows your doctor to take pictures of the inside of your body.  An x-ray beam using a tube that is carefully focused on the body part being examined. Certain types of x-rays may require a liquid contrast medium to help outline a specific area of your body.

 The machine produces a tiny burst of radiation, at a safe level, that passes through your body and records an image on a special plate and then a CD.



If you are anticipating having a CT Scan, Nuclear Medicine Scan, and/or X-ray, tell your Doctor and the Imaging Technologist if you are:

        1. pregnant or think you might be pregnant or if you are breastfeeding
2. allergic to or have ever had a reaction to iodine, contrast media or shellfish 
3. a diabetic and are taking oral medication for your diabetes.  You may need to discontinue your medications 24 hours before the exam and 24 hours after the exam, depending on the exam being performed.  Please check with your doctor. (For CT Scan only)