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Robert Mach |
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Radiology Info - Click here for current and accurate patient information about diagnostic radiology procedures, interventional radiology and radiation therapy
Here we grow again…
Littleton Regional Hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging Department is pleased to introduce the addition of new, state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging equipment. Dr. George Braff, Medical Director of LRH’s Radiology Department, states, “The addition of our new equipment will allow our radiology team to better serve the needs of our patients and their physicians in the North Country Community we serve.”
Coming Soon...64-Slice CT Scanner
In medicine today, every second counts, every detail matters, and a fast, clear picture of what's going on inside the body can save a life. Now, a new CT scanner at Littleton Regional Hospital will help doctors make the most of every second and every detail – in a way that few other scanners in the world can do. This new scanner will make scans easier on patients, replacing invasive procedures and allowing more people to get a definitive diagnosis.
LRH will be the first hospital in the North Country and Northeast Kingdom, to begin using the new Lightspeed VCT (volume computed tomography) scanner made by GE Healthcare.
In a matter of a few seconds, or five heartbeats, images produced by the scanner gives doctors the information they need to tell whether someone is having a heart attack or a stroke, or whether their chest pain is caused by a blood clot, or by a tear or blockage in a blood vessel.
From tiny blood vessels and cancers, to major traumatic injuries, to blood flow in a stroke-starved brain, the new scanner can capture every millimeter of tissue in the body in just a few seconds, and give doctors crystal-clear images just minutes later. Physicians will be able to see an unprecedented view of their patients’ clogged coronary arteries and other problems, and it will determine if patients need surgery immediately.
“This machine will give us speed, detail and consistency like never before, and our patients will receive a firm cardiac diagnosis and effective treatment plan without an invasive procedure,” says Robert Mach, Director of Diagnostic imaging at LRH. “Our cardiologists are anxious for the arrival of the new CT Scanner which we expect will be installed in April.”
Meanwhile, other LRH doctors are awaiting installation of the Lightspeed VCT machine to image problems with the digestive and urinary systems, the brain and the blood vessels that feed it, and other areas of the body. In addition to sparing many patients an invasive exam, the Lightspeed VCT scanner will allow doctors to capture images of patients who can't hold their breath long enough for a normal CT scan.
“This state of the art equipment will allow physicians to see the smaller vessels much better and faster, as well as stenosis, or narrowing in the carotid artery that leads from the neck into the brain,” Mach says. “Patients who would normally need to undergo an angiogram to diagnose the extent of stenosis can now have a scan instead.”
For more information about LRH’s diagnostic imaging services, please call (603) 444-9276.
We think your Mammogram Deserves a Second Look…
With the iCAD Second Look you have the benefits of a second opinion without any additional procedures or doctor’s appointments. It is simply part of the mammography reading process of Littleton Regional Hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging Services. It can alert your physician to take a closer look at subtle warning signs that might easily be missed. The use of this state-of-the-art computer-aided detection is expected to reduce the number of breast cancers missed.
In December 2003 …
... LRH’s Diagnostic Imaging team purchased a new General Electric LOGIQ 9 Ultrasound Scanner.
Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, is a method of obtaining images from inside the body through the use of high frequency sound waves. The sound waves produced are pointed at different organs inside the body using a hand held device called a transducer. These sound waves bounce off the tissues in the body and are picked back up by the transducer. The computer processes the reflected sound waves and produces pictures. These pictures assist physicians in diagnosing a number of medical conditions.
LRH’s new LOGIQ 9 ultrasound scanner expands the use of ultrasound equipment for diagnosing obstetrical/gynecological, vascular, breast, and abdominal medical conditions, to name a few. Physicians can see movement in many parts of a patient’s body. Patients at Littleton Regional Hospital will notice expanded three-dimensional (3-D) imaging capabilities, among the latest advances in ultrasound imaging.
In January 2004 …
... a new Bone Density Scanner was added to LRH’s Diagnostic Imaging capabilities.
A Bone Density Scanner test is also referred to as bone densitometry, which is an important diagnostic tool that not only measures the amount of calcium in certain bones, but also can be used to estimate the potential risk of fracture. The test is easy, fast, painless, and non-invasive.
A Bone Density Scanner is used most often to diagnose osteoporosis, a condition that often affects women after menopause, but may also be found in men. Osteoporosis involves a gradual loss of calcium, causing the bones to become thinner, and more likely to break. The test can also assess your risk for developing fractures. When bone density is found to be low, LRH’s patients and physicians can work together on a treatment plan to help prevent fractures before they occur.
“Our new bone densitometer measures the density of the spine, hip, and other bones, which are the most frequent sites of fracture,” explained Dr. George Braff, Medical Director of Radiology. “Until now, evaluating bone density using conventional x-ray systems did not reveal a potential problem until a patient had lost 25-30 percent of their bone density. Now, in just 30 seconds, this highly sensitive densitometer helps us identify risk at a much earlier stage. It can also evaluate response to treatment so that we know whether our therapy is effective or if we need to modify our approach.” “Fortunately,” Dr. Braff said, “recent research findings clarify the nature of the disease, and demonstrate the effectiveness of new treatments. New diagnostic devices, such as the PRODIGY™ bone densitometer, improve the early detection and treatment of osteoporosis.”
Dr. Braff encourages individuals to talk to their physician about the need to be tested with our new bone densitometer. “There is no special preparation involved for the patient, the exam is very brief, and is a very comfortable procedure.”
In March 2004 …
... LRH purchased and installed a new state-of-the-art Philips Brilliance 10 slice CT scanner (CAT Scan).
Computerized tomography — also called CT scan and CAT scan — is an X-ray technique that produces more detailed images of your internal organs than do conventional X-ray exams. X-rays are a form of energy — radiation; conventional x-ray exams produce two-dimensional images. A CT uses an X-ray-sensing unit, which rotates around your body, and a large computer to create cross-sectional images (like slices) of the inside of your body. A conventional X-ray of your abdomen, for example, shows your bones, as well as outlines of your liver, stomach, intestines, kidney and spleen. A CT scan reveals these bones and organs as well as your pancreas, adrenal glands, and blood vessels - all with a very high degree of precision. LRH’s new CT Scanner allows the physician to evaluate and treat patients faster. Images previously produced by older scanners in 10 minutes can now be obtained in less than 30 seconds.
“All of this new equipment adds up to value and versatility in one practical package,” said Dr. Braff. “ The technology we are providing to our community at Littleton Regional Hospital is outstanding. The Philips scanner allows us to expand the type and quality of procedures not available anywhere else in the North Country.”
Robert Mach, Administrative Director of Diagnostic imaging, adds, “Once again, Littleton Regional Hospital has distinguished itself as the predominant imaging center in the North Country through it’s exceptional customer service initiatives and continuing efforts to provide the most up-to-date and latest technology advances for its patients and physicians.”
In August 2004 ...
... LRH became the first North Country hospital to offer MRI five days a week. Littleton Regional Hospital is pleased to offer a new Short-Bore 1.5 High-Field MRI. This new MRI allows technologists the ability to scan quicker than before, and lessens the likelihood of claustrophobia due to a shorter tunnel length.
LRH’s new MRI provides a safe and painless method of taking pictures of soft tissues of the body. It is used in diagnosing brain and nervous system disorders, arterial disease and cancer. LRH is the only North Country hospital offering full time breast MRI. Patients will find that MRI’s do not require radiation or surgery and there are no known side effects.
Images produced provide physicians with clear and detailed pictures of many parts of the body.
If your physician recommends am MRI, please remember that Littleton Regional Hospital offers the latest MRI technology in our North Country community. We provide MRI services Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
For additional information about Littleton Regional Hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging services, please call Robert Mach at (603) 444-9276 or e-mail him at rmach@littletonhospital.org.
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