Overview
Cleveland Clinic imaging resources: Why you can expect more
Scanning brains in Las Vegas since 2009, now Cleveland Clinic Nevada can give you a better picture of the rest of your body, too.
When you need us, we’re here for you with:
- Extended hours: From 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and on Saturdays beginning in spring 2025.
- Same-day appointments are often available.
- Imaging results are typically available within 24 hours.
More than MRIs and brains
Through expanded CT, nuclear medicine imaging (PET and SPECT) and MRI, we can scan everything except the breast. Soon, we’ll also offer cardiac or calcium scoring.
Twisted your ankle or wrenched your back?
We can help your referring physician see what’s going on.
Trying to be proactive with your health?
If you’re seeking the peace of mind that a non-invasive overview can provide, our whole body MRI may be for you, potentially detecting concerns early on and improving the efficacy of any necessary treatment.
Specialized readings from head to toe
Images captured here in Las Vegas are interpreted by radiologists throughout our global health system who focus on specific body parts or conditions. Cleveland Clinic’s Imaging Institute employs more than 200 staff radiologists and conducts more than 2.7 million exams annually.
Referring providers tell us they appreciate the detailed reports from Cleveland Clinic’s subspecialty radiologists, made possible by the quality of the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health’s imaging technology and, equally importantly, the skill of the technologists who guide patients through the process.
Make an appointment for imaging needs beyond the brain:
To expedite your referral, share this form with your referring primary care provider or specialist.
Call our dedicated imaging appointment line: 702.701.7948.
Computed Tomography (CT Scan)
Computed tomography, commonly known as a CT scan is an imaging test that helps detect diseases and injuries. It uses a series of X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of your bones and soft tissues. A CT scan is painless and noninvasive.
Nuclear Medicine
While the name may sound intimidating, nuclear medicine tests are often among the least-invasive and best ways to diagnose diseases and to monitor treatments. Nuclear imaging produces images by detecting radiation from different parts of the body after a radioactive tracer material is administered. These tests are safe and effective.
Your healthcare provider will discuss your options with you.
Positron Emission tomography (PET)
Positron Emission Tomography provides a non-invasive, safe, and painless window into the body that enables scientists to confirm diagnostics. A PET scan can detect early signs of cancer, heart disease and brain conditions. A nuclear medicine exam, it involves an injection of a safe radioactive tracer that helps detect diseased cells.
When it comes to the brain, PET can illustrate changes in brain metabolism relevant to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia and many other brain disorders. Amyloid imaging via brain PET is widely used in Alzheimer's clinical trials and is approved for clinical use, too.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is a test that creates clear images of the structures inside your body using a large magnet, radio waves and a computer. Healthcare providers use MRIs to evaluate, diagnose and monitor several different medical conditions.
MRI scans look at the non-bony parts or soft tissues inside your body and take much clearer pictures of your brain, spinal cord, nerves, muscles, ligaments and tendons than regular X-rays and CT scans.
Our team will work with you and your referring provider to find the safest and most effective imaging option for you. An MRI scan is generally safe and poses almost no risk to the average person when appropriate safety guidelines are followed. However, not everyone can undergo an MRI. The strong magnetic field the MRI machines emit is not harmful to you but could cause implanted medical devices to malfunction or distort the images. If this is the case, a CT scan is the next best option.
The exceptionally strong magnetic field of our 3.0 Tesla high-field open-bore MRI scanner results in superior image quality and short scan times. This scanner features advanced capabilities that allow performance of exams most other systems are unable to acquire. Thus, our radiologists gain the ability to see into the body in new ways, to detect and diagnose disorders at earlier stages, and to gather valuable information for research.
With its innovative design, the scanner can accommodate virtually all types of patients, including those with large body mass and those with claustrophobia. Our radiologists obtain the detailed images they need to provide the highest-quality care, at no sacrifice to your comfort.
Whole Body MRI Scan
A Whole Body MRI provides an overall snapshot of one’s general health. A head-to-thigh scan, it may detect cancers in the earliest stages of formation, physical abnormalities, inflammation or obstructions.
Who Might Benefit?
This exam is useful for individuals who are aren’t experiencing any health complaints. If you’re seeking the peace of mind that a non-invasive overview can provide, our Whole Body MRI may be for you, perhaps detecting potential problems near their onset and potentially improving the efficacy of any necessary treatment.
For example, early detection of cancers can radically change the type of treatment options that will be available to an individual, while other areas of concern might benefit from simple changes in lifestyle such as eating habits or exercise.
The Whole Body MRI examines
- Head: brain, skull, sinuses, eyes, ears
- Neck: major arteries, upper airway, lymph nodes, glands
- Chest: lungs (utilizing low-dose CT), lymph nodes, heart, large blood vessels
- Abdomen: kidneys, liver, spleen, adrenal glands, gallbladder and pancreas
- Pelvis: uterus, ovaries, prostate
- Spine: spinal cord, vertebrae, discs
Brain Imaging
Neuroimaging: Windows into the brain
Effective treatment for any disease begins with accurate diagnosis. While short-term memory loss, judgment and reasoning impairment are indeed trademark symptoms of cognitive and movement disorders, these symptoms are also shared by other conditions. Therefore, the initial step is a thorough investigation by an experienced physician including laboratory testing and brain imaging to exclude conditions other than Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Brain imaging is a key component of the care we provide at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Successful imaging hinges on ingenuity and understanding of neurodegenerative conditions. As with photography, the more still the subject remains, the better the pictures. Our imaging team thrives on tailoring their approach, collaborating with patients and care partners to address individual concerns and fulfill imaging orders requested by healthcare providers, thus offering insight into a diagnosis or disease management.
Our neurology providers rely on our state-of-the-art imaging technologies and expert interpretations from specialized Cleveland Clinic radiologists to help them diagnose and rule out disease, manage treatment and, increasingly, understand who is at risk for developing serious brain disorders.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the technology of choice for visualizing brain disorders. Painless and noninvasive, MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to generate clear images of the brain, which can monitor changes in brain volume and structure that reveal how healthy a brain is and whether disease is progressing.
