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Friday, July 03, 2009

Radiology

Last updated: 10/15/2008

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For more information, please call (304) 526-2120 (General radiology)

Cabell Huntington Hospital's Radiology Department offers a complete range of modern radiology techniques to diagnose illness and injury, along with a variety of state-of-the-art interventional radiology treatments. The department is fully staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by an experienced, professional and caring staff that focuses on delivering quality care to patients and quality service to physicians. When you refer patients to our facility, you can be sure that they will be treated with warmth, respect and compassion, and you will be advised of the results of their procedures in a timely manner.

Radiology Services Available at Cabell Huntington Hospital

PACS

Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) is an advanced imaging and information system that provides clinicians with on-demand access to patient images on computer workstations within the hospital, at their offices, or even at their homes, via a secure web connection. Physicians who have a PC that meets minimum specifications and a high-speed internet connection have access to the service, which provides convenient, on-demand access to the diagnostic imaging information they need. This technology helps physicians reduce the amount of time needed to develop diagnoses and plan patient treatments. Quicker access to medical images improves patient care.

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PET/CT

The Discovery ST is a redesigned PET/CT system completely optimized for cancer care, and in the near future, neurologic diagnoses. This system integrates a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner with a multi-slice Computed Tomography (CT) scanner and is capable of 2D and 3D imaging with a larger bore all in a single exam. PET creates images showing areas of high metabolic activity in the body, such as active malignancy, rather than creating images of anatomy only. CT scans show internal structures within the human body. Together, a PET/CT scan allows physicians to view areas of high metabolic activity and pinpoint where abnormal lesions are located on CT images so that they may target the areas of active disease. The Discovery ST system provides physicians with more sensitivity, speed, resolution and diagnostic confidence.

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Ultrasound

Medical ultrasonography is an ultrasound-based diagnostic imaging technique used to visualize muscles and internal organs, their size, structure and any pathological lesions, making ultrasound useful for scanning the organs. Cabell Huntington Hospital's Radiology Department has eight staff members who are licensed ultrasound technologists. The department performs more than 16,000 ultrasounds a year using both traditional and 4-D ultrasound technology.

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Nuclear Medicine

Two new imaging systems by Philips Medical Systems allow more flexibility in meeting patients' imaging needs more accurately. The SKYlight system uses the industry's first gantry-free camera and advanced robotics to record images of patients any time, on any bed and in any position. The system also offers concurrent imaging, which has revolutionized nuclear medicine because a single data acquisition produces as many as fifteen different image sets under certain imaging parameters. The table that comes with the system can hold patients who weigh up to 500 pounds. The Philips CardioMD system is a cardiac specialty camera that takes nuclear images of the heart. These non-invasive images are used to identify blockages in the heart. If blockages are found, then the patient is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization. The CardioMD doesn't use a gantry, so the patient does not feel closed in or claustrophobic during the exam, and it is built to accommodate patients who weigh up to 400 pounds.

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CTA

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is an examination that uses X-rays to visualize blood flow in arterial and venous vessels throughout the body, from arteries serving the brain to those bringing blood to the lungs, kidneys, and arms and legs. CT combines the use of X-rays with computerized analysis of the images. Beams of X-rays are passed from a rotating device through the area of interest in the patient's body from several different angles to create cross-sectional images, which then are assembled by computer into a three-dimensional picture of the area being studied. Common uses for CTA include ruling out pulmonary embolism, evaluating for stenosis, identifying aneurysms, detecting atherosclerotic disease and detecting thrombosis.

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Digital Mammography

Cabell Huntington now has three state-of-the art digital mammography units. The GE Senographe(r) 2000D full-field digital mammography system is designed to provide physicians with clear and precise all-digital images rather than on X-ray film. The system offers better visibility of the breast, particularly near the skin line, the chest wall and in women with dense breast tissue. Exams take less than half the time of traditional film-based mammograms. The ability to generate images within seconds and the flexibility to magnify and manipulate those images eliminates many of the callbacks necessary with traditional film-based mammography systems. Electronic archival of patient images means easier retrieval and transmission of patient information to healthcare providers.

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MRI

Cabell Huntington's on-site Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) creates clear, concise images of almost any part of the body, at any angle, without X-rays. Magnetic resonance imaging uses radiofrequency waves and a strong magnetic field to provide remarkably clear and detailed pictures of internal organs and tissues. These precise images can lead to early detection and treatment of disease, especially brain and nervous system disorders, cancer, musculoskeletal problems and vascular disease.

More information about MRI

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Interventional Radiology

Cabell Huntington Hospital's Radiology Department is now offering a variety of interventional radiology procedures, including:

Balloon Kyphoplasty

Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can give patients relief from pain and correct deformity caused by vertebral compression fractures, which are usually caused by osteoporosis. During the procedure, a pathway to the vertebra is created through a small incision and a small balloon is inserted and inflated to correct the deformity. The balloon is then deflated and removed. The cavity created by the inflated balloon is filled with bone cement to form an internal cast that holds the vertebra in place. The procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia, typically takes less than an hour and generally requires the patient to stay one night in the hospital.

The ELVS Procedure

For patients with varicose veins, a laser treatment called endovascular laser venous system - or the ELVS procedure - has proven to be as effective as surgery but results in less pain, no hospital stay and a much quicker recovery. During the procedure, a thin laser fiber delivers a highly concentrated beam of light that seals the leaky vein. This outpatient procedure is performed using a local anesthesia, and patients experience only a little stinging from the laser. Patients wear compression hose for 72 hours following the procedure, then during the day for about two weeks.

Radiofrequency Ablation

For many years, patients diagnosed with cancerous tumors had three treatment options - surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Now, a fourth option called radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can treat tumors in the liver, kidneys and lungs. Radiofrequency ablation is performed using either an ultrasound or CT scan to guide the placement of the probe. The physician inserts a needle into the tumor and then a probe that has tines much like the spine of an umbrella. Once the probe is in the correct location, the tines are expanded into the tumor, and an electric current is passed through the tumor, killing the cancerous cells and a safe margin of healthy tissue.

Vertebroplasty

Vertebroplasty is a pain treatment for vertebral compression fractures that fail to respond to conventional medical therapy and cause a lot of pain. Vertebroplasty is a non-surgical treatment performed using imaging guidance by interventional radiologists that stabilizes the collapsed vertebra with the injection of medical-grade bone cement into the spine. This eases pain and can prevent further collapse of the vertebra, thereby preventing the height loss and spine curvature commonly seen as a result of osteoporosis. Vertebroplasty dramatically improves back pain within hours of the procedure, provides long-term pain relief and has a low complication rate.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a safe, effective, non-surgical treatment for benign tumors (fibroids) that grow in or on the uterus. UFE works by blocking the blood supply to the fibroid, causing it to shrink and become inactive. During the procedure, the interventional radiologist inserts a needle into the femoral artery, providing access for a catheter to be guided to the uterine artery. The interventional radiologist then performs an arteriogram, and tiny synthetic particles are slowly injected into the artery. The particles flow toward the fibroids and wedge in the vessels that supply them with blood. This procedure, called embolization, continues for several minutes until there is blockage of blood flow to the fibroids. UFE is a minimally invasive procedure that requires a relatively short recovery time and has few side effects.

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Contact Information:

Phone:(304) 526-2120 (General radiology) / (304) 526-2230 (Interventional radiology)