Done in a Flash, Lourdes Offers Ultrafast CT scan

Many patients who have had a CT scan (computerized axial tomography) can attest to how difficult it is to hold their breath during the imaging study. Fifteen seconds may not seem long, but when trying not to breathe, it can feel like an eternity.

But thanks to a new multislice scanner now available at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, patients who need a CT scan can get a much faster test with less radiation exposure—in just 0.6 seconds. What’s more, the new scanner offers double the image resolution.

“CT is an important clinical tool and the Flash scanner allows us to access higher quality information in less time,” said Joseph Broudy, MD, Chief of Vascular and Interventional Radiology at Lourdes Health System. “You get high-resolution images and no additional radiation exposure.”

Unlike conventional CT units, the SOMATOM Definition Flash scanner by Siemens uses two rotating x-ray tubes that spin around the body simultaneously to create high resolution images. The dual source speed allows images to be acquired from almost any patient, independent of their ability to hold their breath or remain still, specifically beneficial to trauma patients and children.

The Flash CT is particularly useful for cardiac, vascular and oncology patients. The Flash CT helps physicians with pre-surgery mapping, such as with heart valve replacement during a procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR); or with assessing blood flow and salvageable brain tissue after a stroke. Full brain images also help gauge tumors of the head and neck. Detailed images show tumor size and location for ideal treatment planning.

“When using CT to image the heart, the main challenge is to eliminate artifact that results from cardiac motion,” explained Dr. Broudy. “The Flash scanner greatly reduces this motion artifact due to its impressive speed of image acquisition. This has enhanced our evaluation of the structure of the heart in planning for aortic valve replacements and improved our evaluation of the coronary arteries to diagnose obstructing plaques.”

From an emergency perspective, Dr. Jenice Forde-Baker, assistant director of the Emergency Department at Lourdes, says the speed of the Flash CT can help physicians reach a diagnosis and treatment plan faster. “For at-risk patients who come to the ED with chest pain, we can tell them if they have any obstructions within the arteries of the heart while they are still in the ED. It allows us to treat patients faster, and when time is heart or brain, it makes a difference.”

The Flash CT scanner also includes X-Care, a dose-reduction technology that turns off in areas that aren’t necessary for the image.

“Minimizing radiation dose is safer, particularly for children and young adults.” said Dr. Broudy. “It follows through on our commitment to minimized exposure whenever possible.”

The SOMATOM Definition Flash at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center is a 256-slice scanner. LourdesCare at Cherry Hill offers a 128-slice scanner, which also provides state-of-the-art cardiovascular imaging.