FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Where is the HealthScan located?
Parkview Imaging is conveniently located on the corner of Cloverfield and Santa Monica Blvds. in Santa Monica. The address is 2428 Santa Monica Blvd., Lower Level. Validated parking is available for HealthScan patients at the facility.

How do I prepare for a HealthScan?
Other than drinking a glass of water for contrast to distend the stomach, no preparation is necessary, and there are no injections. Before the exam, you will take 5-10 minutes to fill out a detailed medical questionnaire.

What should I expect in a HealthScan exam?
You lie on a table and in several short breath-holds, the scanner takes images from shoulder to pelvis. The entire scan can be completed in 5-10 minutes. The exam is painless, non-invasive, and non-claustrophobic.

Should I have any concerns about the HealthScan?
The unique, innovative technology of “16 slice”, helical CT delivers high resolution images in a fraction of the time of conventional CT scanners with less radiation. The lung cancer screening portion of the exam utilizes a low radiation technique.

How do I get a HealthScan?
The HealthScan can be ordered by your physician, or you can schedule it yourself. A brief medical history and any prior imaging studies should be provided prior to the procedure.

Who should not get a HealthScan?
If you have existing disease or are experiencing any symptoms, you should consult your physician first. You should not get a HealthScan if you are pregnant.

Is the HealthScan covered by insurance?
Currently, screening procedures are not covered, but check with your insurance provider.

What data supports the HealthScan?
Henschke. The Early Lung Cancer Action Program (ELCAP), Radiology, 1998,
Vol. 209, P222.

Itah, S., et al. Radiat Med 1998 Mar-Apr; I6(2): 75-83 "Screening helical CT for mass screening of lung cancer; application of low-dose and single-breath-hold scanning." Conclusion: Screening helical CT with low-dose and single-breath-hold scanning shows promise for lung cancer screening.

Swenson. Low Dose Spiral CT Screening of Women for Common Causes of Death. Radiology 1998, Vol. 209, P222.

Wexler, L., et al. American Heart Association Medical/Scientific Statement 1996. "Helical CT has considerably faster scan times than conventional CT. Overlapping sections also improve calcium detection."

What should I expect from a Virtual Colonoscopy?
Virtual Colonoscopy (CT Colonoscopy) is the evaluation of the colon utilizing CT. After cleansing the colon the exam is preformed by distending the colon with air and scanning the abdomen and pelvis. The images are “reconstructed” in multiple planes and interpreted by the radiologist. This technique is effective for detecting cancer and polyps greater than 1cm in size. This procedure is faster and less expressive than conventional colonoscopy and does not require sedation. However it’s less accurate detecting polyps less than 1cm and with conventional colonoscopy polyps can be removed.

> Next Page
1, 2, 3, 4