FORT WALTON BEACH, Florida –July 16, 2009—Computed tomography (CT) scans are increasingly valuable tests for a wide range of medical conditions, from trauma to cancer. To help diagnose and treat every patient more quickly and accurately, regardless of condition and circumstance, White-Wilson Medical Center is one of the first in the nation to install the SOMATOM® Definition AS 64 from Siemens Healthcare (www.usa.siemens.com/healthcare). The SOMATOM Definition AS 64 is the world's first CT scanner that adapts to virtually any patient, provides each person with complete dose protection and offers clinicians improved diagnostic information.
Adaptable to Any Patient
Every day, clinicians face the challenge of scanning patients with a wide range of medical conditions and diseases, each with their own set of unique circumstances, such as breathing problems or weight issues. These factors can complicate the imaging process, making it difficult for doctors to acquire the images necessary to provide a confident diagnosis. To help medical facilities overcome these challenges, Siemens developed the SOMATOM Definition AS 64, a CT scanner that can rapidly image more of the patient's body with clearer images, and may eliminate the need for follow-up tests and potentially shorten hospital stays."The SOMATOM Definition AS 64 gives us a great deal of flexibility for CT scanning, providing the ability for almost any kind of exam, from vessel imaging, cardiac tests to cancer staging, on any type of patient," said Dr. Norman Clinkscales, Board Certified Radiologist at White-Wilson Medical Center. "With the SOMATOM Definition AS 64 system, we can improve patient care, from initial diagnosis, throughout treatment, to the time they leave."
White-Wilson Medical Center's new CT may prove particularly valuable in treating obese patients, an epidemic afflicting one in three Americans. The system meets the challenge of testing larger patients by offering a wide 78cm bore, a broad imaging range and 660-pound table-weight capacity. Furthermore, the Definition AS 64 is ideal for imaging patients who undergo bariatric surgery, a procedure that increased nine-fold from 1998 to 2004.
Dose Protection
Although all CT scanners have to use some amount of radiation to create images of the body, the SOMATOM Definition AS 64 actively manages this radiation dose in 100 percent of Spiral examinations, blocking unnecessary doses for that particular patient before and after the spiral scan. Siemens' Adaptive Dose Shield ensures that only the dose that is clinically relevant to the patient is applied."White-Wilson continuously stays abreast of state-of-the-art technologies and solutions to better serve our patients," said Susan Shea, director of Radiology for White-Wilson Medical Center. "By installing the Definition AS 64 with complete dose protection, we have optimized diagnostic quality while keeping patient safety our number one priority."
New Uses for CT
With many CT scanners, physicians can see the structure, size, shape, and location of clinical details, but these images can't answer all diagnostic questions. White-Wilson Medical Center's new CT provides additional vital information that enables doctors to differentiate, characterize, isolate and distinguish the tissue, making it easier to determine the disease. How is this accomplished you may ask?Using new technology, called Adaptive 4D Spiral, the Definition AS 64 adapts to each patient's clinical needs and covers the exact range the patient requires, generating images in 4D. The Adaptive 4D Spiral addresses functional imaging – images of blood flow over time – of whole organs. In the case of stroke, physicians can use whole-organ imaging to show not only circulation of blood within a small part of the brain, like most CT scanners, but for all of it.
About The White-Wilson Medical Center Department of Imaging
The White-Wilson Medical Center Department of Imaging is the largest provider of outpatient imaging services in our area, and the only Multi-Modality Imaging Center in the area to be fully accredited by the American College of Radiology. Additionally, the White-Wilson Medical Center Department of Imaging offers the only Echocardiography Lab to be accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories in the area.White-Wilson offers a number of diagnostic imaging services, including MRI, CT (Computed Tomography), Coronary Calcium Scoring, Cardiac CT Angiography, Myelography, Vascular Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, Bone Density/DEXA Scan, Diagnostic X-ray, General Ultrasound and Comprehensive Women's Imaging Services including: OB/GYN Ultrasound, Digital Mammography with iCAD and Breast Ultrasound.
White-Wilson Medical Center's SOMATOM Definition AS 64 has been available since May 5, 2009. To schedule a CT exam, patients should call Radiology at (850) 863-8110.
About White-Wilson Medical Center:
White-Wilson Medical Center is one of the largest multi-specialty physician groups on Florida's Emerald Coast. With over 70 providers, 19 different specialties, and locations in Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Niceville and South Walton, White-Wilson provides a range of healthcare services to fit most needs. White-Wilson employs state-of-the-art technology, coupled with skilled and experienced providers, friendly and caring staff, and the convenience of "one-stop" shopping. Visit www.white-wilson.com for a list of specialties and services.
