Emerson Hospital’s skilled radiologists work closely with other specialists in performing advanced procedures in which X-ray imaging plays an integral role in diagnosis and treatment. These procedures include:
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
ERCP is a procedure that combines upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and X-rays to diagnose and treat problems of the bile and pancreatic ducts. It combines the use of a flexible, lighted scope (endoscope) with X-ray pictures to examine the tubes that drain the liver, gallbladder and pancreas.
The endoscope is inserted through the mouth and gently moved down the throat into the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (part of the small intestine) until it reaches the point where the ducts from the pancreas and gallbladder (bile ducts) drain into the duodenum.
A special contrast dye is injected into the ducts through the catheter to make the ducts more visible on X-rays. Fluoroscopy, a type of X-ray imaging that creates moving pictures, is used to examine the ducts and look for narrowed areas or blockages.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
HSG is an important test to determine a woman’s fertility potential. It is an X-ray examination of a woman’s uterus and fallopian tubes to determine whether the fallopian tubes are open or blocked, and where the blockage is located.
Performed in the Radiology Department, this procedure involves injecting a contrast dye into the uterine cavity through the vagina and cervix. Under fluoroscopy, the radiologist observes the uterine cavity filling with dye and, if the fallopian tubes are open, the dye fills the tubes and spills into the abdominal cavity.
Shoulder arthrogram
An arthrogram is a test that uses fluoroscopy to obtain a series of pictures of the shoulder joint after a contrast material has been injected into the joint. It allows your doctor to see the soft tissue structures of your joint, such as tendons, ligaments, muscles, cartilage and the joint capsule—structures that ca not be seen on a plain X-ray without contrast material. In the shoulder, it is most often used to diagnose rotator cuff tears.
Sialogram
A sialogram is an X-ray of the salivary ducts and glands to help diagnose a blockage of salivary flow to due stones or strictures. A catheter (a small flexible tube) is inserted through your mouth and into the duct of the salivary gland. A contrast medium is then injected into the duct, and X-rays are taken.
Voiding cysto-urethrogram (VCUG)
A voiding cystourethrogram, also called cystoscopy, is an X-ray study of the bladder and urethra that is performed while the bladder is emptying. It is often used to find causes of bleeding or blockage, or any abnormalities of the bladder and its lining.
A catheter (a small flexible tube) is gently inserted into the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body) and passed into the bladder. X-rays are taken from various angles while the bladder is full of contrast dye.
To obtain test results
By law, this requires a signed medical records release form and photo identification. To make a request, please call:
To Schedule an appointment
To schedule an appointment for an x-ray test, please call
978-287-3003. Walk-ins are accepted at all locations.
