Radiology Department
Department Overview
Our department, at the request of doctors from this hospital or local clinics, uses the latest medical imaging techniques -- such as CT (computerized tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), angiography or DSA (digital subtraction angiography) – to create the best possible, high-resolution images and then, together with the patient’s doctor make an objective diagnosis based on these images. Modern medicine is divided into specialties, such as digestive organs, the circulatory system or neurosurgery, but our department, via the common thread of diagnosis by imaging, crosses over these departmental borders in order to assist various specialists in their diagnosis. Our hospital also employs a state-of-the-art PACS (picture archiving and communication system) which stores all medical images on a server, permitting virtually instant retrieval nearly anywhere in the hospital as well as comparisons with past images in order to aid in diagnosis, and monitoring of treatment progress. In addition, we also are involved in IVR (interventional radiology), a sub-specialty that, using radiological guidance, can not only image, but actively treat problems in nearly every organ system using catheters passed through the patient’s blood vessels. This minimally-invasive procedure has much less risk and lower recovery times than open surgery.
CT (computerized tomography)
Our Equipment
- Toshiba Medical Aquilion ONE (320-row detector）
- Toshiba Medical Aquilion CX (64-row detector）
Uses
Broadly useful to analyze and diagnose head pain, chest pain, abdominal pain, broken bones, tumors and more, CT scanners are employed on nearly every part of the body. Their ability to scan a relatively wide area of the body very quickly makes them the first choice for many diagnostic situations. Our 320-row scanner is one of the best with current technology, capable of producing high-resolution, multi-slice images in a single pass. We also are able to perform CT on coronary arteries and whole-brain perfusion CT.
Examination Method
Normally, the patient lies face up on the examination table when the scan in performed. Chest and abdominal imaging can be completed in most cases with the patient holding their breath for a just few, or up to 15 seconds. Depending on the area to be studied, iodine-based contrast agents may be injected into the patient’s veins. The entire time of the test, while depending on the area, generally only takes 5 to 15 minutes.
During coronary artery CT, an EKG exam is carried out simultaneously and the sensors for that are attached to the patient’s chest. Sometimes a beta blocker to lower the heart rate is injected as well. Please ask your doctor or the technician if you have any questions about any part of the exam.
During coronary artery CT, an EKG exam is carried out simultaneously and the sensors for that are attached to the patient’s chest. Sometimes a beta blocker to lower the heart rate is injected as well. Please ask your doctor or the technician if you have any questions about any part of the exam.
Important Notes Prior to Your Exam:
Depending on the area being examined, iodine-based contrast agents may need to be used, and in such cases, there restrictions on eating and drinking prior to the exam. Please note any such instructions at the time your appointment is made. If you are sensitive to iodine, have previously experienced an allergic reaction to an iodine-based agent, or if you has asthma, be sure to tell our staff at the time you make your appointment or prior to your exam. If your blood exam shows lowered kidney function, we may not be able to use contrast agents. Please tell your doctor if you are pregnant or might be pregnant. If you are taking any medications, you may continue to use them normally.
Depending on the area being examined, iodine-based contrast agents may need to be used, and in such cases, there restrictions on eating and drinking prior to the exam. Please note any such instructions at the time your appointment is made. If you are sensitive to iodine, have previously experienced an allergic reaction to an iodine-based agent, or if you has asthma, be sure to tell our staff at the time you make your appointment or prior to your exam. If your blood exam shows lowered kidney function, we may not be able to use contrast agents. Please tell your doctor if you are pregnant or might be pregnant. If you are taking any medications, you may continue to use them normally.
Following Your Exam…
If contrast agents were not used during your exam, you may resume your normal activities immediately. If agents were used, they will be passed from your body in your urine, so be sure to drink plenty of fluids. In some rare cases, contrast agents can cause a delayed allergic reaction. If you experience rashes or reddening of the skin, nausea, headaches, abdominal pain difficulty breathing or other symptoms from 20 minutes to two hours after the use of contrast agents, please see your doctor or call 0284-21-0121.
For mothers who are breast-feeding, the contrast agents can enter the breast milk so try to avoid feeding within 24 hours of an exam. If you’ve been referred for the exam by another medical institution, you will be informed of the results of your exam by your regular institution’s doctor at your next appointment there.
MR (magenetic resonance imaging)
Equipment
- Siemens Magnetom Verio (3 tesla)
- Siemens Magnetom Avanto (1.5 tesla)
Uses
MRI scanners produce more detailed images than CT can, so for imaging of the head and spine, pelvic cavity, joints and mammary glands, MRI is often used together with, or in lieu of CT. In addition, the ability of MRI scanners to produce images of blood vessels without using contrast agents is one of their biggest strengths. We have a very powerful 3-tesla model and are able to produce high-resolution images on par with those from university hospitals.
Examination Method
The patient lies, usually face up, on an examination table that is moved inside of円筒a large, cylinder-shaped tube that is surrounded by a very powerful magnet. Depending on the area being examined, special supports or braces may be placed or wrapped on the body. In some cases, contrast agent using gadolinium may be injected into the blood stream. The exam usually takes 10 to 30 minutes. During the exam, the machine will make rather loud sounds caused by its manipulation of the magnetic field, but this is normal and no cause for concern. Please ask your doctor or the technician if you have any questions about any part of the exam.
Important Cautions
In general, there are no restrictions on food or drink the day of the exam. However, for abdominal-area scans of the pancreas and gall bladder region you should avoid eating just before the exam. Water is fine, but please avoid drinking milk or other beverages with a high fat content. Because the equipment uses a very powerful magnetic field, you must not bring anything metal, such as jewelry, magnetic cards or similar items into the examination room. You must also remove eyeglasses or color contact lenses prior to the exam. If you use glasses or color contacts, please be sure to tell the technician. For that reason, please be sure to bring a case you can store your eyeglasses or contacts in when you come to the hospital. Some color contact lenses contain metal-based pigments which, when subjected to strong magnetic fields, heat up and could burn the patient’s eyes if worn during an exam. Standard contact lenses may be worn during the exam. If you are having an exam on any part of your head, please avoid wearing makeup (particularly mascara or eye shadow) on the day of the exam as some makeup compounds also contain metal powders which could heat up and cause burns. If you are less than 12 weeks pregnant, or the possibility exists that you’re pregnant, please consult with your doctor prior to the exam. If your blood exam shows lowered kidney function, we may not be able to use contrast agents. If you have asthma or have previously experienced an allergic reaction to gadolinium contrast agents, please inform your doctor or the technician before the exam. For mothers who are breast-feeding, the contrast agents can enter the breast milk so try to avoid feeding within 24 hours of an exam. If you’ve been referred for the exam by another medical institution, you will be informed of the results of your exam by your regular institution’s doctor at your next appointment there.
Angiography (blood vessel imaging)
Equipment
- Siemens Artis Zeego
Examination Method
In a typical angiographic exam, a very slender tube called a catheter is inserted into a vein or artery in your groin (or possible the neck or elbow), and this catheter is then directed to the region the doctor wishes to examine. Once there, a contrast agent is injected into the blood stream and the doctor will study and take photographs and videos of the flow of the fluid in the blood vessels, or around a tumor. But angiography is not limited only to diagnostic techniques. The growing field of interventional radiology now allows doctors to treat patients in ways such as injecting anti-cancer drugs directly into a tumor, or opening a blood vessel with a stent. The state-of-the-art angiography equipment we use employs a multi-axis (8 axis) robot arm to position and rotate the scanner head freely, allowing the physician to examine the patient from any angle. Besides regular still photography, the device can produce CT-type cross-sectional images by rotating the scanner on a fixed axis while imaging the patient in a technique known as cone-beam CT. This produces high-resolution images that make detection and diagnosis of a far greater range of conditions possible.
Important Cautions
Angiography is performed on an inpatient basis. Depending on the type of test or treatment being performed, the procedure could last from 30 minutes to 4 hours. Please ask your doctor or the technician if you have any questions about any part of the exam. Following the procedure, the area where the catheter was inserted will be bandaged, and this will need to stay in place for a few hours, or possibly until the following day. Depending on the insertion point, there may be some limits placed on your movements in bed. Please follow the instructions of your doctor and nurses.
IVR(interventional radiology)
Using equipment originally designed for imaging blood vessels, we are now able to perform numerous treatments within a patient’s blood vessels with the help of the CT guide. Among the treatments we can carry out are direct chemotherapy or embolization of tumors, reservoir implantation, embolization of blood vessels to treat trauma or other causes, embolization of aneurysms in the brain and other organs, vasodilation procedures to combat narrowing or closure of arteries, removal of foreign bodies within blood vessels, placement of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters to help prevent pulmonary emboli and other operations. We perform about 200 such procedures annually.
IVR Center
As described above, recent developments in angiography now permit us to not only image a patient’s blood vessels, but carry out numerous minimally-invasive treatments employing the technique. The possible treatments reach across multiple specialties and the devices and technology being employed – stents, coils, catheters and the imaging equipment itself – is constantly evolving, demanding our constant study and review. In order to offer the highest level of testing and treatment possible under these conditions, we established our IVR Center with the move to the new hospital facilities in 2011. Our principal functions are:
- To carry out all IVR procedures
- To establish an IVR outpatient program
- At the time of an IVR appointment or admission, the Radiology doctor and nurse will explain the procedure in detail to the patient and secure necessary permission forms.
- Following the procedure, our team will coordinate with the patient’s department (requesting physician) to monitor the patient’s progress and, as necessary, plan follow-up procedures.
We are also able to coordinate with and assist local physicians. Please feel free to consult with us about any cases where you feel IVR techniques may be necessary, or where angiography is recommended for making the diagnosis about a possible IVR treatment. We cooperate regularly with other departments on consultations of this type. At this time, all outpatient IVR procedures on done strictly by appointment only, so please contact us by telephone before arriving for any consultations.
- To develop IVR specialists
We will work to educate IVR doctors, IVR-certified nurses and vascular diagnostic technicians. Our facility meets all the requirements for certifying new IVR specialists. - To educate and promote IVR both in and out of the hospital
We will hold study groups in the hospital, seminars for local physicians and lectures for the general public in order to further knowledge and understanding of IVR in the community and increase the number of patients seeking this safe, relatively non-invasive treatment.