Internal Medicine Services

Bone Densitometry

Bone Densitometry testing is a non-invasive procedure conducted in our radiology department. This test is used to evaluate a patient's risk for osteoporosis. It is also used to determine a patient's response to osteoporosis therapy. The procedure is painless and requires approximately 30 minutes to perform.

In-House Laboratory

Clopton Clinic operates a state of the art, full service laboratory. The laboratory performs testing in the areas of hematology, coagulation, chemistry, special chemistry, therapeutic drug monitoring, and serology, and is CLIA certified. Clopton Clinic's laboratory is open 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday thru Friday, and is located on the 1st floor of the 300 Carson building.

Radiology

Clopton Clinic’s radiology department provides high quality diagnostic x-rays, which are available for immediate review by our physicians. The radiology department is staffed by registered and licensed radiologic technologists. Also a part of our radiology department is CT scanning, Bone Densitometry, and Ultrasound.

CT

Computed tomography (CT), was originally known as "EMI scan". It was later known as computed axial tomography (CAT or CT scan) and body section roentgenography. It is a medical imaging method employing tomography where digital geometry processing is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the internals of an object from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis of rotation. CT produces a volume of data which can be manipulated, through a process known as windowing, in order to demonstrate various structures based on their ability to block the X-ray beam. Modern scanners allow this volume of data to be reformatted in various planes or even as volumetric (3D) representations of structures.

X-ray

We also offer on-site X-ray services to perform chest x-rays. X-rays are primarily used for diagnostic radiography and crystallography. X-rays are especially useful in the detection of pathology of the skeletal system, but are also useful for detecting some disease processes in soft tissue. The chest X-ray can be used to identify lung diseases such as pneumonia, lung cancer or pulmonary edema.

Stress Testing

During stress testing, patients are monitored by electrocardiogram and blood pressure monitor while walking or running on a treadmill. This test is used to evaluate cardiac function during activity. The test is performed to evaluate arterial blood flow to (and indirectly the amount of oxygen that will reach) the myocardium (heart muscle) during physical exercise, compared to blood flow while at rest. As an exercise test, the results can also reflect overall physical fitness. Stress testing takes approximately 30 minutes.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. Also known as a cardiac ultrasound, it uses standard ultrasound techniques to image two-dimensional slices of the heart. In addition to creating two-dimensional pictures of the cardiovascular system, an echocardiogram can also produce accurate assessment of the velocity of blood and cardiac tissue at any arbitrary point using pulsed or continuous wave doppler ultrasound. This allows assessment of cardiac valve areas and function, any abnormal communications between the left and right side of the heart, any leaking of blood through the valves (valvular regurgitation), and calculation of the cardiac output as well as the Ejection fraction.

Venous Doppler

A Doppler ultrasound study is a test which uses sound waves to examine the structures inside the body and to evaluate blood flow at the same time. With this test problems with the veins can be detected, using sound waves which are far above the range of human hearing. Radiation is not used in this test.

Carotid Doppler

A carotid doppler machine (the same ultrasound machine used to evaluate the fetus in pregnant women) is a device which can be used to measure blood flow velocities within the cervical carotid arteries, as well as the vertebral arteries and sometimes the subclavian arteries by means of non-invasive ultrasonic scanning in which the Doppler effect is utilized. This can be useful for estimating the effects of atherosclerotic disease on the lumen in late stages; specifically the level of compromise in blood flow caused by reduction in arterial lumen diameter. Using B-mode scanning (imaging) and very careful technique, the same ultrasound machine can also be used to measure the arterial wall thickening within segments of the carotid arteries non-invasively. This can be useful for detecting and tracking atherosclerotic disease in early stages.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Clopton Clinic disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

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