Getting a Good Look:
State-of-the-Art Imaging Technology at Halifax Health
Exploratory surgery: It’s a concept that
is fast becoming obsolete, thanks to
the advanced imaging technology
offered at Halifax Health.
“Today, we hardly dream of opening someone up just to take a look around,” said interventional radiologist Scott Klioze, MD. “Using imaging, surgeons can get a good idea of what they’re facing before a patient reaches the operating room. This reduces risk and improves outcomes.”
Imaging Interpreted
To help identify and treat disease, Halifax Health offers a complete menu of imaging techniques, among them:- Computed tomography (CT), which can take 3-D pictures of organs
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses magnets to excite cells — especially in soft tissue such as joints — so they can be captured on film
- Positron emission tomography (PET), which captures metabolic activity, making it especially useful for evaluating cancer growth
“Each imaging type lets us see inside the body in unique ways to help patients,” said Dr. Klioze.
Innovative Treatment
At Halifax Health, interventional imaging is used both to diagnose and treat disease. Take peripheral artery disease, or PAD, for example.PAD occurs when plaque inside the leg arteries decreases blood flow, causing weakness and pain. It usually is treated with bypass surgery, which involves long incisions and a lengthy recovery.
At Halifax Health, PAD treatment is minimally invasive, using only one small incision, which often leads to a quicker recovery. The procedure starts with an angiogram. A contrasting dye is injected into the bloodstream and then monitored on an X-ray as it flows through the arteries, which helps identify blockages. Once the leg blockages are found, the interventional radiologist uses an innovative new instrument called SilverHawk® to remove plaque and restore blood flow.
“Patients go home the next day, and pain relief usually is immediate,” Dr. Klioze said. “Often, patients begin exercising again and can completely transform their health.”
