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The
following is a brief summary of the services offered in the radiology
department, including those new during 2004.
In the area
of Breast Cancer, the Women’s Imaging Center continues to use the R2
Image Checker, a computer assisted detection (CAD) system, designed to
provide a computerized second reading of all screening and mammography
examinations performed throughout the LMC system. In late 2002,
Omnicare, a computerized tracking system specific to mammography was
installed to improve data collection, quality, control, and
notification of patients and their physicians regarding upcoming and
overdue examinations. Data entry began January 2003 and continues.
In the
nuclear medicine department, lymphoscintigraphy and associated
sentinel node sampling for breast cancer continues as treatment
alternative to full axillary dissection in patients with breast cancer
in appropriate situations. Sentinel node biopsy continues to be used
for guidance in surgical excision of lymph nodes in patients with
melanoma.
PET imaging
began at LMC-Lexington using a mobile PET scanner. This complements
the hybrid-PET imaging performed in the main hospital previously. This
is a nuclear medicine examination using labeled analog of glucose,
which is preferentially taken up, by metabolically cells, Since many
tumors are hyperactive tissues, this is a valuable tool in scanning
the body for mestastatic disease, and also for distinguishing scar
tissue or treated tumor from viable cancers. Currently, this service
is offered for two days per week at LMC Lexington.
MRI has
expanded at LMC with mobile MRI services two days per week at LMC-Irmo
and LMC-Lexington. This allows for more comfortable examinations for
claustrophobic patients. Permanent MRI services were added at LMC-Irmo
in 2005.
Interventional radiology has Radio-Frequency (RF) Ablation generator.
The first lung tumor RF ablation procedure was performed at LMC in
2002. This allows for non-surgical treatment of tumors.
Chemoembolization, arterial delivery of chemotherapy agents to the
tumor site, is also on the list of procedures performed in the LMC
Department of Radiology. Treatment of compression fractures by
percutaneous vertebroplasty continues to be performed, which is
extremely useful in treating compression fractures due to
osteoporosis, but also in patients suffering fractures from metastatic
disease. The Interventional Radiology section provides placement of a
variety of devices for IV access, such as PIC lines, Passport
catheters placed in the upper arm, Porta-Caths, as well as other
catheters types. Intrahepatic biliary catheter placement for
brachytherapy is new service in the area of interventional radiology.
This is performed in conjunction with the Radiation Medicine
department where radiation therapy is performed through the catheter
to specifically target a tumor.
Ultrasound
continues as a mainstay for diagnosis and monitoring of tumors as well
as image guidance for percutaneous diagnosis, as well as for
therapeutic paracentesis and thoracentesis. Nuclear medicine also
provides monitoring studies such as gallium scans and bone scans to
monitor for progression of disease. Fluoroscopy can be utilized for
diagnosis of GI malignancies, and has been used as a modality for
image guided biopsies of lung masses.
The LMC
Irmo facility continues to provide fluoroscopy, radiography,
ultrasound, CT, mammography, and bone density imaging. CT exams can be
sent to the main department via high-speed data lines. Mobile MRI
services are available two days per week in 2004.
The
LMC-Lexington facility continues to provide service to the community
with the same services offered at LMC-Irmo. In addition, CT cardiac
scoring studies for identification of coronary artery calcifications
have been performed. Again, CT is connected to the main hospital for
rapid interpretation of certain examinations. Volume of patients
imaged at this facility continues to grow. Mobile MRI services and
mobile PET services are available at LMC-Lexington two days per week
in 2005.
The
radiology department continues its commitment to maintaining quality
and to embrace technological advances as they become available.
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