Bone density testing is a noninvasive imaging exam used to measure bone strength and assess the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. The test uses low‑dose X‑rays to measure the amount of calcium and other minerals in the bones, most commonly in the spine, hip, or forearm.

A bone density test may be recommended if you:

• Have lost height or may have compression fractures
• Have had a fracture from minimal trauma
• Take medications that affect bone strength, such as long‑term steroids
• Have lowered hormone levels related to menopause or cancer treatment
• Have received an organ or bone marrow transplant

Bone density testing allows providers to detect bone loss early, evaluate fracture risk, and guide treatment or monitoring decisions before serious complications occur.

After the exam, a radiologist reviews the images and shares results with your care provider, who will discuss findings and next steps with you.

A computed tomography (CT) scan is a noninvasive imaging exam that creates detailed cross‑sectional and three‑dimensional images of the body. CT scans use X‑ray technology and advanced computer processing to allow health care providers to view nearly any part of the body without surgery.

A CT scan may be recommended to:

• Diagnose bone and muscle disorders, including fractures or tumors.
• Detect internal injuries or internal bleeding.
• Identify and monitor conditions such as cancer, heart disease, lung nodules, or liver masses.
• Locate infections, blood clots, or abnormal growths.
• Guide procedures such as biopsies, surgery, or radiation therapy.
• Monitor how well certain treatments are working.

CT scans provide more detailed information than standard X‑rays and are often completed in just a few minutes. After the exam, a radiologist interprets the images and shares results with your care provider, who will review findings and discuss next steps with you.

Fluoroscopy is a real‑time imaging exam that uses a continuous X‑ray beam to create moving images of tissues and organs inside the body. This allows radiologists to observe how structures function and move, providing information that cannot be captured with standard X‑ray images alone.

Fluoroscopy exams often use contrast agents, such as barium or iodine, to improve visualization of specific organs or areas of concern. A fluoroscopy exam may be recommended to:

• Evaluate swallowing, digestion, or bowel function.
• Examine the esophagus, stomach, intestines, bladder, or uterus.
• Assess joint movement or guide pain‑relief injections.
• Support evaluation of infertility or urinary conditions.
• Help guide certain diagnostic or treatment procedures.

Preparation and exam length vary depending on the specific fluoroscopy procedure. After the exam, a radiologist interprets the images and shares results with your care provider, who will review findings and discuss next steps with you.

Interventional radiology procedures use image guidance, such as X‑ray or ultrasound, to precisely target areas inside the body through small incisions or access points. These approaches often reduce the need for open surgery and support faster recovery.

Procedures may include:

• Angioplasty and stent placement, used to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels and improve blood flow.
• Image‑guided tumor treatments, including targeted therapies to destroy or shrink tumors in organs such as the liver.
• Tumor ablation, which uses heat, cold, lasers, or chemicals to treat abnormal tissue in areas such as the bile duct, urinary tract, or reproductive organs.
• Uterine fibroid embolization, a minimally invasive treatment that blocks blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink and relieving symptoms.

After a procedure, results and next steps are reviewed with your care provider as part of a coordinated treatment plan.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive imaging exam that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create high‑resolution images of the body. MRI does not use ionizing radiation and provides detailed views of organs, tissues, and the skeletal system.

An MRI may be recommended to:

• Evaluate injuries or disorders affecting the brain, spine, joints, or muscles
• Assess organs and soft tissues for disease or abnormal growths
• Diagnose conditions involving the heart or blood vessels
• Detect inflammation, tumors, or structural abnormalities
• Monitor disease progression or response to treatment

Some MRI exams use a contrast material, such as gadolinium, to enhance certain details. During the exam, it is important to remain still to ensure clear images. After the scan, a radiologist interprets the images and shares results with your care provider, who will review findings and discuss next steps with you.

Nuclear medicine is a diagnostic imaging specialty that uses a small amount of radioactive material, called a tracer, to create images that show how organs and tissues are functioning. The amount of radiation used is low and carefully controlled.

A nuclear medicine exam may be recommended to:

• Detect abnormalities related to disease or injury.
• Evaluate bone metabolism and identify fractures, infections, or tumors.
• Assess blood flow to the heart muscle.
• Monitor disease progression or response to treatment.
• Common nuclear medicine exams include bone scans and nuclear stress tests, which provide information that may not be visible with X‑ray, CT, or MRI imaging alone.

After the exam, a radiologist or nuclear medicine physician reviews the images and shares results with your care provider, who will discuss findings and next steps with you.

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an advanced imaging exam that shows how tissues and organs are functioning. During a PET scan, a small amount of radioactive material, called a tracer, is introduced into the body by injection, swallowing, or inhalation. The tracer collects in areas with higher levels of chemical activity, which may indicate disease. These areas appear as bright spots on the scan.

PET scans provide information that is different from CT or MRI imaging and are often used alone or in combination with CT (PET‑CT) to improve diagnostic accuracy.

A PET scan may be recommended to:

• Detect and evaluate many types of cancer.
• Assess heart function and blood flow.
• Evaluate brain disorders.
• Identify disease before it appears on other imaging tests.
• Monitor how well treatment is working.

Many solid tumors can be evaluated with PET imaging, including cancers of the brain, lung, breast, gastrointestinal tract, prostate, thyroid, and lymphatic system.

Because PET scans measure activity rather than structure alone, results must be interpreted carefully. Some noncancerous conditions can appear similar to cancer, and some cancers may not be visible on PET imaging.

After the exam, a radiologist reviews the images and shares results with your care provider, who will discuss findings and next steps with you.

Theranostics is a specialized area of imaging and treatment that combines diagnostic imaging and targeted therapy using the same or similar agents. In theranostics, a radiopharmaceutical is first used to locate disease through imaging — often with PET scans — and then used again in a therapeutic form to deliver treatment directly to affected cells.

This approach allows providers to:

• Identify specific disease targets within the body.
• Determine whether a targeted treatment is likely to be effective.
• Deliver therapy that focuses on diseased cells while limiting impact on surrounding healthy tissue.

Theranostics is most commonly used in the care of certain cancers, including some thyroid, prostate, and neuroendocrine tumors, and may be recommended when traditional treatment options are not effective or appropriate.

Care teams carefully evaluate each patient to determine whether theranostic imaging and treatment are suitable. Imaging results and treatment plans are reviewed collaboratively to guide next steps in care.

Diagnostic ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging exam that uses high‑frequency sound waves to create detailed images of structures inside the body. Ultrasound does not use radiation and provides clear views of organs, tissues, and blood flow.

An ultrasound may be recommended to:

• Evaluate abdominal organs such as the liver, kidneys, or gallbladder.
• Assess gynecologic or reproductive health.
• Examine blood vessels and blood flow.
• Evaluate small soft‑tissue structures, such as the thyroid or breast.
• Help guide diagnosis or monitor disease over time.

Most ultrasound exams are painless and typically take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the area being examined. After the exam, a radiologist reviews the images and shares results with your care provider, who will discuss findings and next steps with you.

An X‑ray is a quick, painless imaging exam that creates images of structures inside the body, particularly bones. X‑ray beams pass through the body and are absorbed in different amounts depending on tissue density, allowing providers to distinguish between bone, soft tissue, air, and metal.

X‑ray imaging may be recommended to:

• Detect fractures or bone abnormalities.
• Evaluate joint problems or injuries.
• Assess lung conditions.
• Identify changes in certain organs or tissues.
• Guide diagnosis or monitor healing over time.

In some cases, a contrast material, such as iodine or barium, may be used to improve image detail. Most X‑ray exams take only a few minutes, and you can usually return to normal activities right away.

After the exam, a radiologist reviews the images and shares results with your care provider, who will discuss findings and next steps with you.

Imaging exams allow your care team to see inside your body and better understand what may be causing symptoms or changes in your health. These images help guide accurate diagnosis and support personalized treatment decisions.

Imaging exams are performed with your safety in mind. Mayo Clinic Health System uses the lowest radiation dose necessary to obtain high quality images, and some imaging exams, such as ultrasound and MRI, do not use radiation at all. Your care team carefully considers the benefits and risks before recommending any imaging test.

Radiology teams across Mayo Clinic Health System are focused on providing a comfortable, respectful, and compassionate experience. Technologists and clinicians work together to ensure high quality imaging while prioritizing patient comfort and safety.

If your child is having imaging tests, our goal is to keep them comfortable and safe while getting the images needed. The radiology team uses harmless immobilization techniques to help your child stay still, so the testing will not need to be repeated.

A caregiver may be allowed to stay with the child during the test. If you are in the room during an X-ray, you will be asked to wear a lead apron to shield you from unnecessary exposure.

Your imaging exam is reviewed by a radiologist, a physician with specialized training in medical imaging. The radiologist interprets your images and shares a report with your care provider, who will discuss the results and next steps with you.

The timing of results can vary depending on the type of imaging exam. In most cases, results are available to your care provider within a short time. Your provider will contact you to discuss findings and any recommended next steps.

The Mayo Clinic Patient Portal provides secure access to your imaging reports and related health information in an easy to navigate format. The portal may include helpful context to support understanding, and your care provider is always the best resource to explain what your results mean for your health.

Our Patient Account Services representatives can assist you with any issues related to billing and insurance. We also offer financial assistance if you are unable to pay for care due to financial hardship.

After your imaging exam is completed and reviewed by a radiologist, results are shared with your care provider. In many cases, you can also view your imaging results through the Mayo Clinic Patient Portal, available online or through the Mayo Clinic app. Your provider will review the results with you and discuss any recommended next steps.