State-of-the-Art Imaging and Radiology Technology
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 very 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
- Angiography
- Nuclear medicine
- Ultrasound and X-ray
Each imaging type lets the physician see inside the body in unique ways to help patients.
Innovative Treatment
At Halifax Health, interventional imaging is used both to diagnose and treat disease. Take peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, for example. PAD occurs when plaque inside the leg arteries decreases blood flow, causing weakness and pain. Left untreated, amputation may be necessary. PAD traditionally 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. This 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 is usually immediate. Often, patients begin exercising again and can completely transform their health.
