Diagnostic Imaging

128 Slice CT

For patients requiring a CT examination, and in particular for those requiring cardiac, brain or peripheral vascular examination, the state-of-the-art 128-slice CT scanner takes advantage of the latest advances in CT imaging technology to provide increased speed and detailed information, better diagnostic care, greater convenience and improved patient comfort.

Engineered for both speed and accuracy, the Siemens Definiton AS +128-slice CT scanner at Olean General is the only advanced CT scanner of this type in the region. It represents our continued commitment to deliver the very best in diagnostic imaging to patients.

At Olean General, 128-slice CT imaging has ushered in a new era of diagnostic imaging and new non-invasive procedures such as Coronary Angiography (CTA). The high speed scanner provides our radiologists with the ability to see more anatomical detail in a fraction of the time previously required with conventional CT while simplifying sophisticated cardiovascular and brain examinations and making them non- invasive and virtually pain free.

For certain patients, angiography of the heart, brain and peripheral vascular system no longer require the use of catheters threaded through arteries and veins to inject x-ray contrast to provide a diagnostic image. With the 128–slice scanner, the x-ray contrast is administered through an IV in a patient’s arm and the tremendous speed and computing power of the scanner automatically coordinates the injection of the contrast in concert with the scanner’s imaging hardware to produce exquisitely detailed images of even the smallest arteries and related structures.

Benefits

For cardiac patients in particular, the benefits are significant:

• Acute chest pain can be evaluated quickly with a single scan.
• The test can take as little as 10 minutes from scan to diagnosis instead of hours, and can potentially avoid other tests such as stress testing, ECG studies, and blood testing.
• The scanner’s speed shortens the length of time patients must hold their breath - from 17 seconds to just 9.
• Images of the beating heart in real time permit the evaluation of heart valves and related structures.
• Since cardiac catheterization is no longer required, there are fewer risks and complications.
• Since there is no recovery time involved, patients can leave when their exam is completed.
• The procedure is less expensive than traditional angiography helping to control cost.