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New scanner adapts to overweight patients
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Research
involving 200 patients at Ashley River Tower has begun using the new
Siemens Somatom Definition AS 128-slice CT scanner.
The new scanner uses the latest in computed tomography (CT) technology,
which virtually adapts to any patient, including patients with morbid
obesity. The scanner offers advanced dose protection that allows for
dynamic perfusion imaging, and features a wider gantry opening and
higher maximal weight load to accommodate obese patients.
 With the new scanner are Robin Brothers, from left, Drs. Joseph Schoepf and Elisabeth Arnoldi.
The equipment currently is used in research partnerships between the
Department of Radiology, Division of Cardiology and Hollings Cancer
Center. Cardiac research involves stenosis detection of coronary
arteries while the oncologic research focuses on perfusion imaging in
patients with head and neck cancer.
Because of the broader configuration with 128 slices, images of the
heart can be captured in four heart beats, which means shorter scan
times, clearer images for the physicians to read and less radiation
exposure to patients.
The study using the new Siemens scanner is led by Joseph Schoepf, M.D.,
professor of radiology and cardiology; and Elisabeth Arnoldi, M.D.
“The Somatom Definition AS goes beyond slices and detector rows to
address the overall versatility and usefulness of a CT scanner,” said
Schoepf, chief of cardiac imaging at MUSC. “It truly allows you to
adapt the CT scanning to your individual patients.”
Friday, Feb. 20, 2009
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