Providing the highest quality of adult and pediatric patient care in the Houston area through the institutions we serve by applying the latest advancements and technologies in the field of Radiology.
Dr. Edward B. Singleton Founder
In 1954, Singleton Associates began providing radiology services.
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Find a highly skilled and dedicated Radiologist throughout the Houston area.
St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital
Singleton Adult Radiologists relay on a variety of techniques to visualize normal and abnormal conditions. Learn more about our services and the key benefits of our radiology imaging services.
Also known as radiography, X-rays are the oldest medical imaging modality. They have been in use since 1895 when they were discovered by a German physicist named Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen. A beam of x rays passing through a specific part of a patient's body is used to produce the X-ray image. As the x rays pass through the body they will be blocked to different degrees by the different organs of the body. The x-ray beams that do get through are captured on a detector that is placed on the other side of the patient. A radiographic image is then produced from the beams that are captured on the detector.
Singleton radiologists use X-ray to report both normal and abnormal conditions in the body. The most commonly obtained plain films are generally of the chest, abdomen and bones. Plain films may aid in the diagnosis of chest, abdominal or joint pain, difficulty breathing, fever, vomiting and traumatic injury diagnosing conditions such as pneumonia, congestive heart failure, fractures and arthritis. During the examination the patient will be positioned appropriately between the x ray tube and the electronic detector system by the technologist. Care will be taken to ensure that the x ray beam is directed only to the body part being imaged. For certain examinations, multiple images may be obtained.
The images obtained are then processed and sent to the radiologist for review, interpretation and reporting. The exam generally takes only a few minutes.
Common uses for general X-ray technology include the diagnosis of:
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Bone Densitrometry Bone Chest IVP
Fluroscopy utilizes x-ray beams to view “realtime” images on a video monitor of organs that may or not have been enhanced by contrast administration. Important images are then captured during the examination. Fluoroscopy has many applications in radiology include evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract and for the performance of procedures such as lumbar punctures.
Common uses for fluoroscopy include:
Joints (Arthrography) Lower GI/Barium Enema Myelography Upper GI
X-rays are used in conjunction with advanced detectors and computers to create images for CT scans. Frequently, CT is performed in conjunction with the intravenous administration of iodinated contrast as well as the ingestion of oral contrast. The intravenous contrast is a clear fluid that allows better visualization of the body’s internal organs. The oral contrast outlines the gastrointestinal system. Together, the contrast help the Singleton radiologist interpret an examination, The patient slides through a doughnut like machine while lying on a table. The process is rarely uncomfortable and imaging acquisition itself usually takes less than 5-10 minutes.
If a patient cannot receive iodinated contrast because of allergy, an MRI is usually ordered.
Common uses of a CT scan include the following procedures:
Abdomen and Pelvis Body Chest Virtual Colonscopy Head Percutaneous Abscess Drainage Needle Biopsy of Lung Nodules Sinuses Spine
MRI scanning uses radio waves, a large electromagnet and computers to generate images. Certain adjustments in the equipment are made to image the same regions in different ways to look for different types of abnormality. An MRI machine is composed of a large box with a central tube into which the patient is placed. For some individuals, the tube may feel confining and some patients therefore require sedatives in order to allow them to remain still. Studies often take a total of 30 to 60 minutes complete. Gadolinium intravenous contrast is often given which allows our radiologist to visualize certain organs and disease conditions better.
A pregnancy test may be necessary prior to your MRI exam. The risks to a fetus are unknown. Therefore, pregnant women should not have an MRI exam unless the potential benefit from the MRI is determined to outweigh the potential risks. If you have minor claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) or anxiety, you may want to request a prescription for a mild sedative from your physician. If you have an allergy of any kind such as hay fever, hives, allergic asthma, or allergy to food or drugs, please indicate that on your history form as rarely, some individuals can have an allergy to gadolinium. However, gadolinium does not contain iodine and is less likely to cause an allergic reaction as compared to the CT contrast that contains iodine. The technologist and radiologist should also know if you have any significant health problems. Some conditions, such as kidney disease and sickle cell anemia, may prevent you from having an MRI with contrast material.
Metal and electronic objects can interfere with the MRI's magnetic field and are not allowed in the exam room. These items include:
In most cases, an MRI exam is safe for patients with metal implants, except for a few types.
Tell the technologist if you have medical or electronic devices in your body, such as artificial heart valves, implanted drug infusion ports, implanted electronic devices, artificial limbs or metallic joint prostheses, implanted nerve stimulators, metal pins, screws, plates or surgical staples.
Metal objects used in orthopedic surgery usually pose no risk during MRI. However, a recently placed artificial joint may require the use of another imaging procedure such as CT. If there is any question, an x-ray may be taken to detect the presence of any metal objects.
Common uses of MR imaging include the following:
Body Cardiac Chest Head/Brain Musculoskeletal Spine MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography) MR Angiography Breast
Ultrasound uses a handheld transducer that emits high frequency sound waves and receives the echoes created by the body to generate an image. The procedure is quick and painless. It does not use radiation making it ideal in the pediatric population and in pregnant women. A lubricant gel is placed on the skin to allow the waves to pass through the skin and into body parts and organs that are being examined.
Common uses for Ultrasound imaging technology includes:
Abdomen Breast - Breast Ultrasound Musculoskeletal Obstetric/Pregnancy Pelvis Percutaneous Abscess Drainage Scrotum Sonohysterography Thyroid Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy of the Thyroid
Since the turn of the 19th century, cardiovascular disease has become the number one killer in the United States. Many modalities are available for the assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD). These include treadmill exercise stress test, stress echocardiography and nuclear myocardial perfusion study. Adenosine stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is also a recent modality for the assessment of CAD. The introduction of Multi-slice Computed Tomography (MSCT) now allows non-invasive imaging of the coronary and peripheral arteries.
Cardiac CT
Similar to a CT scan of the body, iodinated contrast is injected through a vein in the arm. However, because of the rapid rate of the heart, examination of the heart and coronary arteries is challenging. With the introduction of state of the art 64 slice CT scanner, we are now able to “freeze” the motion of the heart to image the coronary arteries with a high resolution. Coronary CT angiography has become quite useful in ruling out significant coronary artery disease in individuals with a low to moderate cardiac risk. Coronary CT angiography allows a less invasive, quicker and safer alternative to the traditional angiography.
Another application for CT is to evaluate coronary calcification. The CT scan in conjunction with computer software generates a coronary calcium score that can predict a cardiovascular even such as a heart attack. Such information can assist physicians in risk stratifying patients and the use of appropriate medications in order to reduce the risk of vascular event in the future.
Cardiac MR
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) has emerged as the "gold standard" to assess heart function. CMR is able to look at the heart from any view without being constrained by the patient's habitus. The images are very reproducible, enabling physicians to reliably compared patient's findings over time when repeated studies are performed. Another recent advance is the "viability" or "scar" imaging that allows CMR to precisely detect any heart damage as a result of heart attack. The scan is performed following administration of "Gadolinium", the commonly used, standard contrast agent for MRI that has little, if any in the way of side-effects, and is extremely well-tolerated by patients. The results of viability CMR studies are important in determining whether or not a patient has had a heart attack, and how much heart muscle has been damaged. The results are particularly valuable for Cardiologists when considering performing a coronary artery angioplasty or for Cardiac Surgeons planning coronary artery bypass surgery.
Cardiac MRI Cardiac CT for Calcium Scoring Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA)
Singleton radiologists uses several different imaging modalities including mammography, ultrasound and MRI to evaluate the breasts. Generally, mammography is used as the initial screening test.
Screening mammography usually consists of 2 views of each breast and can assist your physician in the detection of breast cancer. Yearly mammograms can lead to early detection of breast cancers. Early detection of breast cancer makes it more curable and usually make breast-conservation therapies more likely. In addition, yearly mammography is the only screening tool shown to decrease breast cancer mortality rates. If a finding is indeterminate or suspicious on the initial screening mammogram, our radiologist may recommend further diagnostic studies including additional views, ultrasonography or MRI in order to determine the cause of the area of concern on the screening exam. Diagnostic mammography is also used to evaluate a patient with abnormal clinical findings-such as nipple discharge, breast lump or nipple retraction that have been found by the woman or her primary doctor.
Singleton radiologists use several advanced technologies including full-field digital mammography and computer-aided detection (CAD). SAPA radiologists are board-certified physicians with subspecialty expertise. We are committed to serve our patients with the highest standard of care.
Ultrasound is primarily used is to help identify and diagnose breast abnormalities detected by a physician or patient on a physical exam. It is also used to characterize potential abnormalities seen on mammography often times to determine if a potential breast abnormality is a benign cyst (fluid-filled) or is solid (which may be a non-cancerous lesion or a cancerous tumor). If a potential breast abnormality is visualized with ultrasound, a needle aspiration/core biopsy may be performed under ultrasound guidance. Ultrasound is often the initial imaging test for women younger than 30 years of age without or with pregnancy because ultrasound does not utilize ionizing radiation.
MRI is a supplemental tool for detecting and staging breast cancer and other breast abnormalities. MRI may be used to evaluate abnormalities detected by mammography and/or breast ultrasound. In certain situations such as in high risk patients or women with dense breast tissue, breast MRI can also be used as a screening tool. Current indications for breast MRI include:
Percutaneous breast biopsy under imaging guidance (x-ray, ultrasound or MRI) is an alternative to open surgical biopsy for the evaluation of indeterminate or suspicious breast lesions. Stereotactic biopsy uses digital mammography along with computer target localization most commonly to biopsy suspicious or indeterminate calcifications in the breast. Occasionally, it can also be used to biopsy masses or lesions not seen under ultrasound.
Ultrasound is also commonly used to guide biopsy of breast lesions visible on ultrasound. It may be performed with either a large hollow needle (automated core breast biopsy) or a vacuum assisted device which grabs the tissue with a vacuum and then uses a cutting tool to free the tissue from the breast. Breast lesions seen best on MRI can be biopsied under MRI guidance.
When it is necessary to do an open surgical biopsy or surgically remove a previously biopsied mass or group of calcifications, a guide wire first is passed directly into the mass or cluster of calcifications to help the surgeon locate the lesion. This procedure may be guided by mammography, ultrasound or MRI.
If you are taking aspirin or a blood thinner, your physician may want you to stop seven days in advance of the biopsy.
Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiopgrahy (MRA) are non-invasive ways for evaluating the blood vessels in the body with a CT or MRI scanner. Contrast material is injected at a relatively rapid rate through an IV line. With the latest CT and MRI scanners, fine detailed images of the vessels are obtained. CTA and MRA can be used to diagnose coronary artery blockage/narrowing, aortic dissections or aneurysms among many of the other disease processes affecting the vasculature.
Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) CT Angiography (CTA) MR Angiography (MRA)
Interventional radiology is a general term that refers to several different procedures that utilize a while host of different modalities within the field of radiology including fluoroscopy, ultrasound, CT and MRI to diagnose and treat many disease conditions. Most procedures utilize a tiny opening within the body often created by small needle. Many of the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within interventional radiology are an alternative to surgical procedures.
Catheter Angiography Angioplasty and Vascular Stenting Catheter Directed Thrombolysis Dialysis and Fistula Declotting and Interventions Inferior Vena Filter Placement and Removal Intracranial Vascular Treatments Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Biliary Interventions Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Bone densitometry (also known as Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)) is today's established standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD). IT is a painless and quick procedure for measuring bone loss. Measurement of the lower spine and hips are most often done. DEXA bone densitometry is used to diagnose osteoporosis and assess a patient’s risks for developing fractures. Unlike plain film x-rays, it will not tell whether you will or will not have a fracture. Rather, it gives a relative risk of suffering a fracture. A low reading should not cause you to be anxious but may help you set healthy goals. If your bone density is found to be low, you and your physician can work together on a treatment plan to help prevent fractures before they occur. DEXA is also effective in tracking the effects of treatment for osteoporosis or for other conditions that cause bone loss. Clinical Instructions
On the day of the exam eat normally, but don't take calcium supplements for at least 24 hours beforehand. Wear loose, comfortable clothing, avoiding garments that have zippers, belts or buttons made of metal. Inform your physician if you recently had a barium examination or have been injected with a contrast material for a computed tomography (CT) scan or radioisotope scan; you may have to wait 10 to 14 days before undergoing a DEXA test. Women should always inform their physician or x-ray technologist if there is a possibility they are pregnant.
Bone Density Scan