Valuable Anatomic Information

During a CT exam, special x-ray equipment is used to obtain images of the body from different angles. This non-invasive exam provides anatomical information quickly and accurately, which assists your physician in obtaining proper diagnosis.

Tests performed by the CT scanner include:

• Abdomen
• Head
• Spine
• Evaluating the arteries of the brain, neck, chest and legs
• Evaluating coronary artery disease
• CTA (computed tomography angiography)
• CT guided biopsies to aid in diagnosis

Oncology (The study of cancer)

Oncology is the most common application of a CT scan, which provides vital diagnostic information, to aid in treatment, staging of cancer and follow up. A CT Scan reveals critical information like:

• The stage and extent of the cancer
• If it has spread to other organs or metastasized
• Cancer recurrence monitoring
• The effectiveness of treatment

Microwave Ablation

We were the first hospital in South Carolina to perform Microwave Ablation, a minimally invasive procedure to destroy tumors in the liver, kidney and lungs.

How it Works

Microwave Ablation is performed in the CT department by the interventional radiologist. During the procedure, a needle is inserted into a tumor with CT guidance. Energy then flows through the needle and into the tumor, vaporizing the tumor in 10 minutes or less.

The patient is able to return home the same day cancer free, without scars, chemotherapy, radiation or surgery.

Microwave Ablation is a more advanced form of Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which we’ve performed since 2002. RFA uses radio frequencies instead of microwaves and is not as powerful as Microwave Ablation. The size of the tumor determines which procedure is appropriate.

CT Studies in South Carolina

LMC performs more CT studies than any other health care facility in South Carolina, approximately 35,000 annually.

Skilled Technologist & Radiologist

Lexington Medical Center offers 24-hour state-of-the-art helical computed tomography (CT) with a skilled technologist and radiologist available at all times.

CT Testing

Our CT testing, available in the emergency setting for evaluation of trauma, severe headache or stroke, acute abdominal pain, including appendicitis and kidney stones, as well as for the evaluation of pulmonary embolism, is also a vital tool for the workup and monitoring of cancer patients, and for evaluation of complex fractures, visual problems, sinus disorders and lung diseases.

Additional Testing

The coronary artery calcium scoring test helps to identify those patients at future risk for heart disease. Other new avenues include CT colonography and screening CT examinations of certain body areas — such as CT of the chest to screen smokers for lung cancer.