Brian R. Decosta M.D.

Radiologist | Diagnostic Radiology

367 Hospital Blvd Jackson TN, 38305 Show map

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About

Dr. Brian Decosta is a radiologist practicing in Jackson, TN. Dr. Decosta specializes in diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases using medical imaging techniques such as X-Rays, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography exams. These techniques offer accurate visibility to the inside of the patients body and help to detect otherwise hidden illnesses so that they can be treated quickly and efficiently.

Education and Training

University Of Toronto Faculty Of Medicine 1997

Board Certification

RadiologyAmerican Board of RadiologyABR

Provider Details

MaleEnglish

Brian R. Decosta M.D.

Brian R. Decosta M.D.'s Expert Contributions

My Answers

How harmful are x-rays for children?
Plain film X-rays as your daughter is getting for her arm are not harmful to children because of the low doses. CT scans have a much higher dose of radiation and are cumulatively harmful to children. The X-ray dose from a flight from East Coast to California would be equivalent to a single chest X-ray which is more radiation than received from an X-ray to the arm. Thanks, Brian READ MORE
Can lung cancer be seen on an x-ray?
It can be seen on a plain X ray of the chest if it is large enough. However, a low dose lung cancer screening chest CT is a much more sensitive test and can detect lung cancer at an early stage. READ MORE
How long does an MRI of the abdomen take?
An MRI of the abdomen can take up to an hour depending on what kind of information is being ordered with the study. There are also breathing instructions to follow doing the MRI procedure. Sometimes with more powerful or sophisticated machines, the scan time is reduced. READ MORE
What can a CT scan detect in your lungs?
CT scan of the chest can detect lung cancer, benign lung nodules, pneumonia, pulmonary edema. interstitial lung disease and a whole host of other processes in the lungs, mediastinum, vascular structures, heart, pleura, chest wall, upper abdomen, lower neck, osseous structures, etc. It is very sensitive. When combined with contrast, it is excellent for evaluation of the vessels. Thanks, Brian READ MORE
Will undergoing a mammography tell me if I'm cancer free?
Mammography is very good at picking out suspicious masses as well as picking out suspicious microcalcifications within the breast. Mammography by itself will not tell you if you have cancer. Follow-up imaging such as breast MRI or ultrasound would be necessary for confirmation. Following these secondary tests, if elation look suspiciMammography is very good at picking out suspicious masses as well as picking out suspicious microcalcifications within the breast. Mammography by itself will not tell you if you have cancer. Follow-up imaging such as breast MRI or ultrasound would be necessary for confirmation. Following these secondary tests, if the lesion suspicious for cancer, then image guided biopsy such as ultrasound guided biopsy with a mammotome Is used to obtain a pathological specimen which can be further evaluated to plan surgery. Following a routine mammograms, it is often necessary to do spot mammograms with vocal compression of the breast to determine if a suspicious have the Millatti represents artifact such as Overlapping of breast parenchyma lines. If the abnormality persists on the Spot imaging, then the next step is ultrasound or other imaging modalities. READ MORE
Can an MRI scan cause pain?
MRI is not a painful. The only thing that it can be is noisy and claustrophobic. Also, you can take a fair bit of time depending on what is being imaged and what is desired of the imaging study. Sometimes, intravenous contrast material needs to be injected prior to the MRI. If this is the case, then they can be some discomfort from needle placement for the IV injection. READ MORE
How much radiation are you exposed to with an MRI?
MRI does not use ionizing radiation. It uses radio waves. So there is no ionizing radiation exposure. This is a significant advantage over a CT scan which has a large dose of ionizing radiation. READ MORE
Will the MRI scan results be ready the same day?
Most larger facilities provide the results of MRI on the same day of the test. Sometimes, depending on how complex the imaging is, then it may be necessary to spend a little bit more time. Most of the time, the results of imaging are available either the same day or the next day. READ MORE
Is a CT scan more accurate than an X-ray?
CT scans are definitely more accurate then plane from x-rays because they use transaxial imaging which provides location. Also, CT scan can be performed following intravenous injection with contrast agent which is able to show certain disease processes. With plane film x-ray imaging, this would not be possible. READ MORE
Which is better a CT scan or an ultrasound?
It very much depends on what you are looking for. Ultrasound is good for example for looking at the gallbladder. It is also good for looking at the pelvic organs. However, in the acute setting and for other organs including the liver, adrenal glands, kidneys as well as bowel, CT scan with or without contrast is a much better modality. The advantage of ultrasound Is that it is real time. The disadvantage is tissue penetration especially in larger patients. Another disadvantage is that it is operator dependent. The advantage of CT is that it is not operator dependent. The disadvantage is that there is radiation exposure. READ MORE
Can a chest X-ray detect bronchitis?
Yes. A chest X ray is quite good at detecting bronchitis. READ MORE
Is an MRI scan painful?
The MRI scan is not painful. In fact you will feel nothing at all. Some people feel it can be claustrophobic in the confined space of the MRI scanning machine. The magnetic pulses can be very noisy. For an MRI of the cervical spine it will take about 30 minutes. Some scans (if you have had prior cervical spine surgery for example) require the use of IV contrast injection which involves placing an IV line in the hand . The temporary IV line placement can be uncomfortable. READ MORE
How long does it take to do a CT scan of the neck?
A CT scan of the neck will take not more then 10 minutes. If it is done following injection of IV contrast X Ray dye, then it can take a little longer but not much longer. Brian READ MORE
Will an x-ray help see whether hand is broken or fractured?
Plain film X-rays are the best way to evaluate for broken hand bones. Typically, the hand is X-rayed in the frontal, lateral, and oblique projections. Hope this helps. Brian READ MORE
Does an MRI show inflammation?
MRI is very good for finding inflammation, particularly following the injection of intravenous contrast. Hope this helps. Brian READ MORE
What is a rectal contrast?
What this means is that prior to your CT scan, the technologist or the doctor will cannulate your rectum with a rectal catheter and infuse in diluted oral contrast materal to took at your distal colon or rectosigmoid region. Sometimes this procedure is done is there is concern for a colovesicular or colovaginal fistulous communication. This approach is also used with more contrast to evaluate the appendix, but this is not as commonly used for the appendix as it used to be. Hope this helps, Brian READ MORE
Are x-rays safe for 15 year old?
A chest x-ray gives a very low dose of radiation. This is especially the case with just a frontal chest x-ray. The dose from a chest x-ray is equivalent to a flight on an airplane from east to west. Not a lot of x-rays. It should be fine for a 15-y old. Brian READ MORE
Can a CT scan detect clogged arteries?
A special type of CT scan known as a CTA which uses IV injected X ray dye material prior to the CT scan is useful for evaluating blocked or narrowed arteries. Brian READ MORE
Is there any way to detect an aneurysm?
It depends on where the aneurysm is located. If the aneurysm is suspected to be the abdominal aorta, then this is easy to screen using ultrasound. The first question would be know suspected location of the aneurysm before deciding on the modality. READ MORE
Why is an x-ray needed for fecal impaction?
The radiation does from a single frontal KUB x-ray is very low. Usually the pelvic region is protected especially the gonadal region for pediatric age patients. Frontal x-ray is the best way to detect fecal impaction. There are no other good tests. Ultrasound would not be helpful in this regard. The single frontal KUB (means kidneys ureters and bladder) is really the best test in this regard and the quickest to perform especially in the pediatric age group where other tests would be less desirable. Brian READ MORE