Installation of a state of the art Medical Imaging CT Scan 64 channel at the American Hospital Dubai

Philips Brilliance CT 64-channel imaging system, at the American Hospital Dubai, has added a new dimension to the country's imaging, diagnostic and screening capabilities. The new system produces outstanding three-dimensional images of the whole body in 35 seconds, including moving organs such as the heart, where motion previously disrupted the imaging process. The multi-million dollar system enhances the clinical capability of the hospital and significantly improves the diagnostic process for the physician, whilst providing greater speed, comfort and convenience for patients.

The new scanner, which has four times as many detectors as a typical multi-detector CT scanner, combines excellent image quality with very high speed. Most standard scanners have only two, four, six or ten detectors; only a year ago, a top of the line scanner would have 16, whereas the Philips Brilliance has 64 detectors. The more detectors a scanner has, the closer they can be packed together to improve resolution and the faster they can gather 'slices', which increases speed. Each detector picks up an x-ray beam as it spins around the body and then computes the densities of the tissues that the beam has passed through, to produce a thin image of that narrow slice of the body. The computer then collects the images, stacks up the images like a loaf of bread with each slice thinner than a coin and presents a three-dimensional image of the inside of the body. The software also allows the radiologist to adjust the images to highlight specific tissues, such as blood vessels.

The technology is particularly exciting for studying the beating heart, providing the first clear non invasive images of the heart and its major vessels without the need of slowing the heart beat with medications. The scans can be timed to use only images gathered between contractions, so that the heart and its vessels can be seen without the blurring caused by motion. According to Dr Fouad Azoury, Chairman of the department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the American Hospital Dubai, "this new generation of scanners is going to revolutionize the way radiologists and cardiologists detect and diagnose heart and vascular diseases. Using this highly sophisticated tool allows us to look at the precise anatomy of the heart and its vessels in a way which was not considered possible only a short time ago".

The increased potential of the scanner for cancer diagnosis and treatment is also stunning. As Dr Andre Rizk, Specialist Oncologist / Hematologist at the American Hospital Dubai, comments, "the speed and precision of the scanner not only improves image quality but allows us to look at the dynamic process of tumors and to monitor any changes in their size. The process therefore helps us predict and describes the response to treatment."

"The 64 slice CT technology means a significant upgrade in imaging quality, particularly for vascular studies, whether it be cerebral, cardiac or abdominal. 3D volume rendering can be performed of all parts of the body with impressive resolution. One of the major advantages of the 64 slicing CT is the greater speed for the patients. Within a few seconds the entire body can be scanned. Obviously this is beneficial to all patients and to the very ill patients in particular,"

commented Dr Jan Lindberg, Acting Chief of Medical Imaging

Other promising indications of the multi-slice scanner include evaluation of plaque within the carotid arteries (5-8 seconds), searching for pulmonary emboli (5 seconds, less than easy breath hold), coronary artery imaging (10 seconds, including distal segments and multiple arterial branches).

"As the American Hospital Dubai continues as the healthcare market leader to bring the latest US technology to the UAE and the GCC we are very pleased to make this outstanding technology available to our patients and physicians. This new technology will enhance our new Centers of Excellence in Heart and Cancer Care," said Michael French, CEO of the American Hospital Dubai.