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| .....ADVANCED IMAGING 3D CT SCANNING |
Advanced Imaging-Uses Cutting Edge Technology.
Our Toshiba Aquilion CT scanner has the highest quality images in the region with the best 3D and vascular available in the region. It expands our capabilities and allows us to provide your doctor with superior diagnostic images.
Our Toshiba Aquilion is fast.
How fast is it? It performs "30 minute" scans in as little as 10 seconds. It rotates around the entire body 2½ times per second. It achieves a gravitational force of 22 Gs when rotating more than 5 times the force of the Space Shuttle during lift off. It is quick and painless. In the blink of an eye, it is over.
Superior, high-resolution CT images for a more accurate diagnosis.
In diagnostic medicine, better images can lead to better outcomes. To provide your doctor with clear, accurate images, our multi-slice CT scanner produces high-resolution images of any part of the body in just seconds. See us when you need a CT scan.
Our Multi-slice Toshiba CT Scanner, produces 40 images per second, 2400 images per minute with the highest resolution in the industry with 3-D reconstruction of images. This produces a full body, three dimensional image, which can be manipulated to eliminate the skin, muscle, and internal organs revealing the blood vessels and skeletal system. What used to be done in the cath lab, angiograms, can now be done with CT. All you have to do is start an IV, give 75 - 100 ccs (amount you would see in a couple of shot glasses) of contrast medium and you can see the vessels of the targeted organ system.
This procedure is quick, easy, and low risk to the patient. Your images are immediate and clearer than ever. These can be reviewed and rotated in any direction. This allows the radiologist to see between, into and behind organs and allows him to remove any obstructions that before limited visualization of the studied organs. The images are then reconstructed. This is called CT with 3-D reconstruction.
What is a CT scan?
A computed tomography (CT) scan also called a CAT scan is a type of diagnostic test that combines X-rays and computer technology to provide views of soft tissue, bones and b
lood vessels. The technology creates sectional images, or "slices," of the organs, tissues or vessels under evaluation.
What is a CT scan used for?
Nearly every part of the body can be viewed with CT. The technology is frequently used to obtain a three-dimensional view of a cross section of the brain and other internal organs, such as the liver, lungs, and spine.
What types of illnesses or injuries will a CT system detect?
CT can help diagnose head and spine injuries, lung and liver disease, cancer, tumors, blood clots, internal bleeding, and a host of other diseases and injuries. The test is often used when fast diagnosis is critical. It can be lifesaving for auto accident victims and for emergency department patients.
How does CT differ from other diagnostic tests?
Unlike other imaging techniques, such as X-ray and MRI, CT has the ability to image a combination of soft tissue, bone and blood vessels. This capability proves very useful in evaluating the chest and the abdomen, making the modality a preferred method for diagnosing cancers such as lung, liver, and pancreatic among others. Advanced CT systems also are being used extensively in detecting heart disease and other vascular conditions.
What happens during the scan?
During a CT exam, a patient lies on a table and is slowly moved into the large donut-shaped opening of the scanner. Once inside, a series of X-ray beams create hundreds of cross-sectional pictures that represent slices of the patient's body. Seconds later, the system s computer assembles the slices into the images that are interpreted by a radiologist.
How long does a CT scan take?
Depending on the exam you will receive, the length of the actual imaging procedure may vary from as little as 10 seconds to as long 45 seconds. Today s most advanced systems multi-slice CT's have the capability to perform exams much faster than traditional systems.
Additionally, exams that used to be done on other types of equipment are now performed much faster using multi-slice CT. For example, diagnosing appendicitis takes just minutes using a multi-slice CT (compared to the standard 40-60 minute X-ray procedure). Multi-slice CT can also identify a kidney stone in less than 1 minute, replacing the IVP exam an invasive, uncomfortable, 60-minute X-ray exam.
What type of CT system will be used for my exam?
(Aquilion) Your exam will be performed on an Aquilion® multi-slice CT from Toshiba America Medical Systems the fastest CT in the world. Its unprecedented speed means it can produce precise images for more accurate diagnoses of injury and illness, in a significantly shorter amount of time.
What is the benefit of a multi-slice CT scanner for my exam?
Multi-slice CT is the fastest type of CT available today. It enables clinicians to perform standard CT exams in a fraction of the time, which means your exam will be finished sooner. As important, it provides much clearer images with even more anatomical detail than traditional CT's, which will aid your doctor in making a more accurate diagnosis. The speed of multi-slice also means that fast-moving organs like the heart and lungs can be imaged with CT for the first time.
Why did my physician order a CT exam for me?
CT is one of the most versatile diagnostic tools and is used to identify a variety of injuries, illnesses and diseases. Your doctor can explain why your CT exam was ordered.
Will I experience any pain during the CT exam?
No, not at all. CT is a painless test to enable physicians to view the internal organs and anatomy. However, some CT exams require patients to remain still during the scanning procedure, which for some may be uncomfortable.
What Preparation is Required Before the Exam?
Do not eat solid foods for three hours before the exam, but clear liquids and routine medications are fine. Patients undergoing an abdominal or pelvic scan are asked to drink an oral contrast, which makes certain internal structures easier to see during the exam. It tastes a bit chalky, but not unpleasant. For other exams, the contrast is injected instead of swallowed. Many exams do not require contrast at all. If there is a possibility you are pregnant, please let your clinician know.
Are There any Side Effects or Risks to a CT study?
The benefit of an accurate diagnosis far outweighs the risk. While CT does expose patients to radiation, it is equivalent to the amount of natural radiation we receive annually. Patients rarely have serious allergic reactions to the contrast medium but nursing mothers should wait for 24 hours before breast-feeding. If there is any chance you are pregnant you should let your clinician know.
Will I need additional tests after a CT exam?
While the answer will depend on the reason your doctor ordered your CT exam, we frequently perform multiple tests on patients to provide the physician with enough information to make an accurate diagnosis.
