Advanced Technology

With the introduction of multi slice CT scanners, there has been a great leap forward in CT imaging of all body areas. Improvements in image quality are achieved as a result of the shorter examination times and the resultant decrease in patient motion artifacts. It is possible to scan most body areas four to eight times faster than with single slice CT.

Dr. Amr Rashad, Specialist Radiologist at Royal Bahrain Hospital, explains the modern applications of multi-slice CT in diagnostic imaging.

“CT Scans provide numerous uses. They provide barium-like images for the bowel, which are very similar to routine barium study images. Additionally, they provide imaging enhanced contrast images for various organs which is very useful for detecting a number of diseases, including focal hepatic lesions in the liver.”

“Additionally, a CT Angiography allows us to track the intravenous contrast within blood vessels through any length, in any body area giving a complete and accurate picture about the condition of these vessels all over the body. This technique widely replaces conventional invasive angiography procedures with zero pain and adds the benefit of a much lower amount of injected contrast.”

“Virtual endoscopy is another feature of Multi Slice CT. This is simply allowing the radiologist to see the insides of different hollow body organs. The time required for coverage of some areas like the colon is about 40 seconds only! The various applications of virtual endoscopy include virtual colonoscopy, virtual gastroscopy, virtual bronchoscopy and virtual laryngoscopy.”

Dr. Amr explains that selecting the appropriate slice width, CT scans will result high quality three-dimensional (3D) images for different body parts, which is particularly helpful for orthopedics and maxillo-facial surgeons.

Other major advantages of multi-slice CT are higher patient comfort in the form of shorter and fewer breath-holds in body imaging, avoiding awkward positioning and minimizing sedation for pediatric patients. Critically ill patients can also be scanned much faster.

“Reporting of multislice scans is usually performed from workstations.” Says Dr. Amr. “Royal Bahrain Hospital has a wide range of advanced workstations equipped with the latest software helping us to provide enormous opportunities for improved diagnostic imaging, and potentially improved patient care.”

To book your appointment, call 17246800 or visit www.royalbahrainhospital.com