In this episode of the PIERS Association Podcast, host Roxy Cross sits down with Dr. Alysha Vartevan, DO, neuroradiologist with RAYUS Radiology and founder of Camelback Radiology, to explore one of the most critical—and misunderstood—components of personal injury care: diagnostic imaging.
Diagnostic imaging is vital in personal injury cases, as Dr. Alysha Vartevan explains the role MRIs play in identifying hidden trauma and validating injuries.
Dr. Vartevan shares how she first fell in love with radiology, what drew her to neuroradiology, and why imaging remains one of the most powerful tools for validating patient injuries. She breaks down the true role MRI plays in PI: not just identifying trauma, but proving it. From disc injuries and nerve compression to subtle signs of traumatic brain injury, imaging reveals what the physical exam alone can’t.
In this conversation, Roxy and Dr. Vartevan dive into:
How MRI, CT, X-ray, DTI, and ultrasound each serve different roles in trauma cases
Why early imaging after a crash captures inflammation and strengthens documentation
What DTI (diffusion tensor imaging) shows about microstructural brain injury
How specialized AAR ligament protocols help identify whiplash-related injury
Why mild traumatic brain injuries are often misclassified and overlooked
What patients can expect during an MRI — and how to ease their fear
How imaging helps distinguish between cervical-generated headaches and concussion-related symptoms
Why PI cases require objective proof that traditional medical settings don’t demand
How Dr. Vartevan balances her clinical work, teaching, research, and the rapidly evolving science of TBI
The importance of early imaging for chiropractors working with acute trauma patients
Dr. Vartevan also shares the story of how chiropractors in Utah connected her with RAYUS — and how her team now provides specialty-driven reads for complex trauma cases. Her passion is clear: to help patients, support clinicians, and ensure no injury goes unseen simply because it’s hidden beneath the surface.
At its core, this episode is about clarity, validation, and using imaging to tell a patient’s full story.
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