IMAGING/RADIOLOGY
PET/CT
IMAGING
Dearborn County Hospital is
pleased to be one of only a small number of facilities in the
Tri-state to have an in-hospital, dedicated PET/CT scanner.
This form of medical imaging is the gold standard in the detection
and staging of cancer.
DCH’s dedicated PET/CT scanner, the General
Electric Discovery ST, allows the hospital to perform specific scans
to diagnose almost all common forms of cancer. In numerous
instances, PET/CT is able to detect cancerous activity in areas that
appear normal on a CT or an X-ray. It is valuable not only in
detecting an initial lesion but also in identifying secondary
lesions and determining if the cancer has metastasized and into
which areas of the body.
Statistics show that the results of a PET/CT
scan will alter a cancer patient’s intended course of treatment in a
significant number of cases. That’s because the physician has an
abundance of information including the size, shape, location, form
and density of the tumor and any metastatic activity or additional
cancers.
A PET/CT scanner combines the image derived
from a dedicated PET scan with that of a CT scan in a single
examination. PET scans distinguish normal from abnormal metabolic
activity while CT scans identify the body’s anatomy. The union of
these two modalities makes PET/CT scanning ideal for use in the
diagnosis and staging of cancers.
A radiopharmaceutical tracer, FDG
(fluorodeoxyglucose), is used in conjunction with PET scans to
“light up” cancerous lesions or other suspected abnormalities in the
body. Abnormal cells use or metabolize a greater amount of this
oxygen-sugar product than normal cells so more of the tracer is left
in the abnormal cells. This in turn causes these abnormal cells to
“light up” on a PET image. A CT scan utilizes a sequence of X-rays
to create highly detailed, computer generated images that show
location, size, shape, form and density.
For additional information on Dearborn County
Hospital’s PET/CT imaging program, please call the DCH Nuclear
Medicine Department at
812-537-8104 or 800-676-5572, ext. 8104.
4D MRI OF THE BREAST
The latest diagnostic tool for use in detecting,
classifying and staging breast cancer, 4D MRI (magnetic resonance
imaging), is now available at Dearborn County Hospital.
MRI of the breast is able to detect lesions that may not be visible
on mammograms due to the size or location of the tumor or other
factors. It also better allows for the early detection of multiple
lesions in the same or other breast.
Some of the more common clinical
indications for the use of MRI of the breast include:
- problematic mammograms with equivocal or
suspicious findings
- after diagnosis/before surgery assessments
to more accurately classify or stage the cancer
- examination of a new lesion detected in a
former breast cancer surgery patient to determine if the new
lesion is a recurrence of cancer or a post-operative scar
- multiple suspected cancerous lesions in one
breast or one or more suspected cancerous lesions in both
breasts (bilateral)
- to evaluate the success of treatment, such
as chemotherapy or brachytherapy (seeding), administered over a
period of time in advance of surgery and to assess the current
size and stage of the cancer
- to determine or verify surgical margins
prior to or following a lumpectomy
DCH’s scanner, the General Electric 1.5T EXCITE HD
(high definition) VIBRANT Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging System
is equipped with numerous features that provide for exceptional
quality images including both sagittal (side) and axial (horizontal)
views. It also is capable of simultaneously imaging both breasts.
Currently DCH offers MRI of the breast as a diagnostic examination,
meaning it is not used for the routine screening of healthy,
asymptomatic women.
DCH works in conjunction with the
Breast MRI Institute of Flint, Michigan. The raw data derived from
a breast MRI scan at DCH, consisting of approximately 900 images, is
sent to the Breast MRI Institute. There the data is processed
through specialized computer aided detection systems to produce
approximately 4,000 images. Radiologists at the Institute who
specialize in Breast MRI use this extensive collection of images to
formulate an interpretation. This interpretation is then provided
to the ordering physician (your doctor) for follow-up.
For more
information please call the DCH Imaging/ Radiology Department at
812-537-8105 or 800-676-5572, ext. 8105 and ask to speak to an MRI
technologist.
DIGITAL
MAMMOGRAPHY
Dearborn County Hospital
uses digital mammography for all screening and diagnostic
mammograms. Digital images allow for better visibility at the
skin line, greater image flexibility, shorter exam times, faster
results and fewer call backs resulting in less anxiety.
For more
information please call the DCH Breast Care Center at 812-537-8383 or 800-676-5572, ext. 8383
LUNG CANCER SCREENINGS
A 20 second, low-dose CT scan can help detect lung cancer before it is visible on a standard X-ray and usually before there are noticeable symptoms. The screening requires a physician’s order and is recommended for smokers and former smokers with a history of 10 pack-years or greater. Ten pack-years translates to someone who has smoked one-half pack a day for 20 years, one pack a day for 10 years, two packs a day for five years and so forth. As a noninvasive procedure, the CT screening requires no advance preparation.
For more information, please call DCH Radiology Scheduling at 812-532-2611 or 800-676-5572, ext. 2611 or the DCH Harrison Outpatient Center at 513-202-0518 or 877-581-1494.
BONE DENSITOMETRY
Bone Densitometry is the only technology currently available that accurately measures bone mass to predict fracture risk. It is a quick, convenient and painless method to detect osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that develops silently over a number of years, causing bones to lose mass, become porous and fragile and greatly increases the chance of fractures.
For more information, please call DCH Radiology Scheduling at 812-532-2611 or 800-676-5572, ext. 2611.
MRI/OPEN MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging is used by Radiologists to view internal body structures using combinations of radio waves and magnetic fields. MRIs are noninvasive or minimally invasive if a contrasting agent is used. An MRI utilizes the properties of magnetism to create nondestructive, three dimensional images of soft tissue such as the brain, spinal cord, organs or muscles.
For more information, please call DCH Radiology Scheduling at 812-532-2611 or 800-676-5572, ext. 2611 or the DCH Harrison Outpatient Center at 513-202-0518 or 877-581-1494.
ULTRASOUND
Ultrasound imaging uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of an internal organ or of a fetus developing in the womb. Ultrasound differs from radiologic imaging in that there is no ionizing radiation involved.
For more information, please call DCH Radiology Scheduling at 812-532-2611 or 800-676-5572, ext. 2611.
|
