IMAGING SERVICES

John Crossen, MD Medical Director, Imaging Services

The successful management of cancer begins with an accurate diagnosis. To enhance this diagnosis and treatment process, a variety of advanced radiological methods are utilized by the Imaging Department at Del Sol Medical Center. The scans and images taken by our skilled technicians are an integral part of this process. Our outstanding physician staff members, who are often responsible for identifying the first indications of a malignant disease, have a combined total of over 115 years of experience in the specialty of Diagnostic Imaging. These physicians also perform non-invasive, or needle biopsies for internal organs such as the liver or pancreas.

Current Available Imaging Services and Enhancements:

• Accreditation by the American College of Radiology assures the quality of radiology. The American College of Radiology has awarded accreditation for the following services at DSMC: MRI, Ultrasound, Ultrasound guided breast biopsy and mammography. Services currently provided and in the accreditation and/or application process include stereotactic breast biopsy, CT, routine radiology and fluoroscopy (formal accreditation was not previously available for these diagnostic procedures.) Stereotactic and ultrasound guided breast biopsies are done without inpatient hospital admission and without surgery. The results are usually available to the physician within 48 working hours.

• Teleradiology allows radiologists to transmit images electronically. This allows physicians to diagnose and treat patients in an expedited fashion that overcomes the problems of distance.

• Lightspeed CT Scanning capability enhances patient care in many ways. A radiographic study can be completed in one quarter of the time it took by previous equipment. Or, the radiologist can opt for greatly enhanced detail in the same amount of time previously required for the exam. A system that is so refined as this is capable of doing arteriography by imaging different phases of vascular processes while using contrast material.

• Wide Spaced High Power (1.5 Telsa) MRI with advanced software has replaced the old small opening, claustrophobia producing, MRI. This new and innovative piece of equipment requires much less time to acquire better images. This includes the capability to produce angiography without catheter insertion. It can also produce three dimensional (3-D) images.

• PET Scan is now available for use at the same location as the Del Sol Regional Oncology Center and the Del Sol Women's Center. A PET (positron emission tomography) scan is one of the newest imaging capabilities available. With a PET scan, the radiologist is able to visualize small, hard-to-detect tumors otherwise unable to be picked up by other imaging devices such as MRI & CT scans, bone scans, & gallium scans. Visualization of these small tumors may change the stage of the cancer, and in turn, change the treatment plan for the patient. Some of the clinical applications of PET scanning are in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers of the lung, head and neck, esophagus, colon/rectum, breast, thyroid as well as lymphoma and melanoma. PET scans are also indicated in the diagnosis and treatment of non-cancer related illnesses such as myocardial viability, refractory seizures and Alzheimer's disease. (Other uses are still being investigated.)

• Cancer Conference presentations continue to move into the "computer age," with the use of specialized software programs that allow the imaging department to transfer digital images of CT and other scans to a format that allows them to be viewed by the meeting's participants through the computer and LCD projector. An entire audience of health care professionals can now examine images that were once difficult for more than a few individuals to see at the same time.

Del Sol Women's Diagnostic Services:

Del Sol Women's Health Center is located at 10460 Vista Del Sol, Suite 201, neighboring the Del Sol Regional Oncology Center. The center opened its doors in October of 2001 in order to address the issues of menopause, breast cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis and heart disease that confront women every day. We are pleased to be working in conjunction with the oncology center to develop a comprehensive breast program for our patients. Our services include state-of-the-art mammography, dexa bone densitometry, stereotactic breast biopsy, ultrasound, and ultrasound-guided biopsy.

We are equipped with the latest technology. We are committed to educating and counseling women on their specific health issues, in particular breast self-examination. We have dedicated ourselves to delivering the message that early detection and prevention are the keys to saving lives.

Making women feel comfortable was a primary focus in the design and planning of the Women's Health Center. Emphasis is placed on ensuring that the facility is warm, feminine and asthetically pleasing. The well trained and experienced all female staff reflects the focus on women's healthcare.