What's New in Diagnostic Imaging?
Thursday, September 22, 2011
PET/MRI, 3.0T Intraoperative MRI, Large Bore PET/CT, and More
Photo: UH Seidman is the first cancer hospital in the nation to have an intraoperative MRI Siemens Verio 3.0 Tesla.
Ask Dr. Pablo Ros, “What’s new?” and be prepared for a lengthy answer. Dr. Ros is chair of the Department of Radiology at University Hospitals Case Medical Center and the Theodore J. Castele University Chairman and Professor, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, which is home not only to UH Seidman Cancer Center but also to the Global Advanced Imaging Innovation Center. Established with $33.4 million from Philips Healthcare and $5 million in Third Frontier grants from the state of Ohio, the Global Advanced Imaging Innovation Center was created to enable researchers at University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and Philips to develop new diagnostic imaging technology.
“As part of the Global Advanced Imaging Innovation Center, we have diagnostic technology at the UH Seidman Cancer Center that can’t be found in a cancer hospital anywhere else in the world,” says Dr. Ros. “Our technology is really extraordinary.”
One example is the Philips PET/MRI Ingenia system which provides the physiologic information of PET along with the anatomic detail of MRI to generate enhanced digital images, enabling radiologists to accurately pinpoint cancer locations for more precise treatment.
“This is really innovative technology — we’re the first clinical setting in the nation with a PET/MRI. There’s one other in the U.S., but it’s in a research facility,” says Dr. Ros. “We are very fortunate to have this here for cancer patients.”
UH Seidman Cancer Center is also the first cancer hospital in the nation to have an intraoperative MRI Siemens Verio 3.0 Tesla. Connected to an operating suite, this technology allows surgeons to obtain real-time MR images before a procedure is completed to ensure cancerous tissue is completely removed, thus reducing the need for additional surgery at a later date. This is especially advantageous for patients with brain tumors.
Still another technology “first” is the Philips Gemini TF Big Bore PET/CT system installed at UH Seidman Cancer Center for cancer diagnosing, staging, treatment planning and follow-up. Although PET/CT technology is not new, this particular system is highly advanced with optimized image quality, speed and sensitivity, enabling lower-dose radiation. And with its 85 cm bore diameter for both PET and CT, there’s greater flexibility in patient positioning and use of immobilization devices which improves treatment accuracy. A special tumor tracking application allows automatic segmentation and monitoring of tumor progression before, during, and after therapy.
“This is one of two new PET/CT systems we’ve installed at UH Seidman Cancer Center,” says Dr. Ros. “We also have a brand new state-of-the art dual-source CT, the Siemens SOMATOM Definition Flash, which is extremely fast. It can scan the entire chest in less than 1 second, so patients aren’t required to hold their breath during the scan, and it uses 80% less radiation dose than other CT units.”
The CT system’s two X-ray tubes have different energies that simultaneously revolve around the patient’s body, better detecting cancer in different organs. Special programs also enable radiologists to see the perfusion or the vascularity of organs and predict the response of the tumor to treatment.
“We can see the vascularity and the perfusion of the tumor so well that after a few sessions of radiation or a few doses of chemo we can predict the effectiveness of the entire treatment,” says Dr. Ros. “We don’t have to wait for the entire six-weeks course of radiation therapy, for example, to determine if the radiation therapy is effective. This enables us to modify the treatment plan one way or another.”
He explains that UH Seidman Cancer Center’s “very well-oiled team of oncological radiologists” is highly experienced at identifying cancer, so they are not only experts at diagnosing but also at staging and re-staging. And because they work together in the same physical location in integrated teams with other specialists —medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation therapists, etc. — focusing on the same disease and potential solutions, cure rates and quality of life are improved.
“We have extraordinary radiologists, and we have extraordinary imaging technology. And our patients benefit from both,” says Dr. Ros. “Everything that’s state-of-the-art is here at UH Seidman Cancer Center.”
Intraoperative MRI Monitoring Room
UH Seidman Cancer Center
MD News Fall 2011, Cleveland/Akron/Canton
Dear readers,
Case Western Reserve University is breaking new ground on the fight against cancer. They have an outstanding new cancer center and an amazing complement of diagnostic imaging technology. I am biased having trained at Case, however, I can vouch for their amazing commitment to patient care, education, and to making a difference.
Dr. Ros is doing a fantastic job as Chairman of the Department of Radiology. I am proud to have been a part of Case!
Sincerely,
Dr. Brian Sabb
Orthopaedic Radiology
www.linkedin.com/in/briansabb