64-Slice CT Scanner
Our Brilliance 64-slice CT scanner from Philips Medical Systems features
advanced technology that produces split-second high quality images, permitting
doctors to see more anatomical detail in a fraction of the time needed
for other tests. With this new CT scanner, doctors will be able to more
effectively detect and treat a range of life threatening illnesses including
cardiovascular disease, the nation’s leading killer. The possibility
of discovering heart and vascular disease in an early stage, before the
onset of serious symptoms, will help doctors recommend the most effective
treatment options and lifestyle changes to reduce risk and perhaps save lives.
The new technology’s leap in acquisition speed makes advanced applications
such as cardiovascular imaging and whole body CT angiography (CTA) routine.
With the speed and specialized software of this new scanner, we can now
offer the latest technology to diagnose cardiac disease, as well as carotid
disease and peripheral arterial disease.
Patients needing a CT scan will find that Riverview’s new scanner
offers a much more pleasant experience. Having your heart and coronary
arteries evaluated using a CT scanner reduces the need for drugs to regulate
the rhythm of the heart. And there is no hospital stay required. With
faster scan times patients will usually be asked to carry out one brief
breath hold during each scan.
"Older patients and those with breathing difficulties or some other
distress will really appreciate the shorter exams,” says Matt Hayes,
Executive Director. “We’ll have them in and out much faster,
and their doctors will be able to access detailed, definitive results
within minutes.”
All CT scanners use X-rays, however the new Brilliance scanner uses a significantly
lower amount of X-ray energy than many of the other CT systems on the market.
“While we need the critical anatomical information we get from a
CT scan, we always want to limit the X-ray dose to the patient to the
absolute minimum possible, especially for children,” says Shane
Bunt, Director of The Heart & Vascular Center. “Our new Brilliance
scanner features unique technology that ensures we get exceptional images
with significantly lower dose to the patient. And, it has specific built-in
pediatric protocols that further minimize the dose to children,” he says.
Another advantage the hospital anticipates is the ability to provide more
large patients with a CT scan option. The new Brilliance scanner has a
table weight capacity of up to 440 lbs.
“In the past, being able to handle some larger patients was sometimes
a challenge, because most equipment simply can’t accommodate them,”
says Bunt. “With the Brilliance CT, we can handle the additional
body weight, and those patients will be able to benefit from this great
diagnostic technology as well.”
A CT scan produces a cross-sectional image of the human anatomy which helps
the clinician to rule out or confirm the presence of certain disease,
and in some cases to evaluate the extent of injuries to a trauma patient,
such as someone involved in an automobile accident. During the non-invasive
test, the patient is placed on a table and moved incrementally through
the squared off donut-shaped scanner while an X-ray beam is projected
through cross sections of their anatomy. The X-ray energy passes through
the patient and is recorded on electronic detectors in the scanner. This
information is then sent to a specialized computer that reconstructs the
information into individual slices and combines them sequentially into
a comprehensive volume image of the entire area scanned. The thinner the
slices, the more revealing the detail is in the resulting images, and
the more definitive the exam results.
Riverview Regional Medical Center is pleased to be the first healthcare
facility in the area to be able to offer this important improvement in
healthcare to its patients. Riverview has been providing quality healthcare
services to the Gadsden/Etowah area and surrounding counties since 1926.
Originally named Holy Name of Jesus Hospital, in 1991, the name was changed
to Riverview Regional Medical Center. Patient referrals may be made by
calling Riverview’s One Call Scheduling at (256) 543-5815.