64-Slice CT Scanner

The new technology’s leap in acquisition speed makes advanced applications such as cardiovascular imaging and whole body CT angiography (CTA) routine. With the speed and specialized software of this new scanner, we can now offer the latest technology to diagnose cardiac disease, as well as carotid disease and peripheral arterial disease.

Patients needing a CT scan will find that Riverview’s new scanner offers a much more pleasant experience. Having your heart and coronary arteries evaluated using a CT scanner reduces the need for drugs to regulate the rhythm of the heart. And there is no hospital stay required. With faster scan times patients will usually be asked to carry out one brief breath hold during each scan.

“Older patients and those with breathing difficulties or some other distress will really appreciate the shorter exams,” says Matt Hayes, Executive Director. “We’ll have them in and out much faster, and their doctors will be able to access detailed, definitive results within minutes.”

All CT scanners use X-rays, however the new Brilliance scanner uses a significantly lower amount of X-ray energy than many of the other CT systems on the market.

“While we need the critical anatomical information we get from a CT scan, we always want to limit the X-ray dose to the patient to the absolute minimum possible, especially for children,” says Shane Bunt, Director of The Heart & Vascular Center. “Our new Brilliance scanner features unique technology that ensures we get exceptional images with significantly lower dose to the patient. And, it has specific built-in pediatric protocols that further minimize the dose to children,” he says.

Another advantage the hospital anticipates is the ability to provide more large patients with a CT scan option. The new Brilliance scanner has a table weight capacity of up to 440 lbs.

“In the past, being able to handle some larger patients was sometimes a challenge, because most equipment simply can’t accommodate them,” says Bunt. “With the Brilliance CT, we can handle the additional body weight, and those patients will be able to benefit from this great diagnostic technology as well.”

A CT scan produces a cross-sectional image of the human anatomy which helps the clinician to rule out or confirm the presence of certain disease, and in some cases to evaluate the extent of injuries to a trauma patient, such as someone involved in an automobile accident. During the non-invasive test, the patient is placed on a table and moved incrementally through the squared off donut-shaped scanner while an X-ray beam is projected through cross sections of their anatomy. The X-ray energy passes through the patient and is recorded on electronic detectors in the scanner. This information is then sent to a specialized computer that reconstructs the information into individual slices and combines them sequentially into a comprehensive volume image of the entire area scanned. The thinner the slices, the more revealing the detail is in the resulting images, and the more definitive the exam results.

Riverview Regional Medical Center is pleased to be the first healthcare facility in the area to be able to offer this important improvement in healthcare to its patients. Riverview has been providing quality healthcare services to the Gadsden/Etowah area and surrounding counties since 1926. Originally named Holy Name of Jesus Hospital, in 1991, the name was changed to Riverview Regional Medical Center. Patient referrals may be made by calling Riverview’s One Call Scheduling at 256-543-5815.