Diagnostic Radiology

Ask your doctor if you can have your scans performed closer to home.

Our new Scott Bieler Amherst Center offers a full range of diagnostic radiology services with state-of-the-art technology and Roswell Park expertise.

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The Department of Diagnostic Imaging (Radiology and Nuclear Medicine), is a subspecialty-oriented imaging group on the university model. Fellowship-trained radiology subspecialists deal with each of the recognized imaging specialties: Nuclear Medicine, Neuroradiology/Head-Neck, Body Imaging (CT, Ultrasound, and MRI from the thoracic inlet to the pelvic floor), GI and GU Fluoroscopy, Angio/Interventional, and Breast Imaging.

Diagnostic Radiology Department services Include:

  • Routine radiographic (x-ray) examinations
  • GI and GU fluoroscopic studies
  • Breast Imaging (mammograms, ultrasound, MRI)
  • CT scans
  • MRI Scans
  • Ultrasound studies
  • Interventional/Angiographic studies

Radiology procedures performed at Roswell Park, that apply exclusively to (or almost exclusively to) cancer patients:

  • Intraoperative ultrasound of the liver — critical for evaluating the liver prior to resection or therapy, including cryoablation and guided ablation via alcohol injection.
  • Imaging-guided biopsies of lesions.
  • Use of on-site real-time cytology, as we biopsy, to assure adequate sampling and sample processing
  • Securing central venous access i.e. inserting Mediports and large-bore or multi-bore central venous lines) in the angiography suite, under fluoroscopic guidance, with conscious sedation, rather than in the operating room
  • MR Spectroscopy of the brain is able to differentiate between radiation change and recurrent tumor.
  • Total body tumor localization studies with radiolabeled antibodies or gallium-67 require multiple-day total body scans.
  • Total body radioiodine scanning and therapy of metastatic thyroid cancer, Nuclear Medicine Department, now incorporates dosimetric profiling, to maximize the effect of I-131 administration. This dosimetry is unique to Roswell Park and involves daily visits to the department over a one-week period. Daily blood samples and probe measurements are obtained to assess whole-body retention of radioiodine and radiation exposure to the bone marrow, along with serial imaging at 24 and 72 hours. This process is more accurate but very time-consuming.
  • Screening and diagnostic mammograms
  • Breast ultrasound
  • Breast MRI
  • Breast ultrasound core biopsy
  • Mammogram-guided core breast biopsy
  • Lymphoangioscintigraphy (melanoma, sentinel node localization)
  • Lymphoangioscintigraphy (breast, sentinel node localization)
  • Colorectal Cancer Study (CEA-scan)
  • Neuroendocrine Tumor Study (radiolabeled somatostain receptor)
  • Prostate Cancer Study (radiolabeled Prostascint)
  • Tumor Viability Study (radiolabeled Sestamibi)
  • Peritoneal Ovarian Cancer Therapy (P-32 solution)

Equipment used

Equipment is state-of-the-art and includes 64-slice GE CT scanners, three SPECT/CT gamma cameras, a GE Discovery ST PET/CT, McKesson PACS, Digital Mammography, 3D Mammography, stationary and multiprobe portable ultrasound units, and 1.5 and 3.0 Tesla MRI Units. The radiologic subspecialists provide far more than film interpretation, because the department is oriented towards imaging-guided organ biopsies and imaging-guided procedures of all kinds. The professional staff includes 11 full-time nurses trained in conscious sedation, to assist with over 20 guided procedures each day, and an 8-bed fully-staffed recovery ward is located adjacent to the department for this purpose. Four Radiology PAs perform procedures, assist with research analysis, and interpret images under radiologist supervision.