Eastern Cape gets latest ultra-high resolution MRI

CME: Your SA Journal of CPD, Feb, 2008

Patients and physicians in the Eastern Cape now have access to one of the newest and highest-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scanners available in the world. Drs Visser, Erasmus, Vawda & Partners recently installed the Achieva 3.0T system from Philips Medical Systems, a global leader in medical imaging and patient monitoring systems. The ultra-high-field Achieva 3.0T system enables faster and higher-resolution scans, resulting in superb image quality and more accurate diagnoses.

This scanner significantly boosts the practice's capacity to better and more timeously diagnose a variety of medical conditions, including brain and nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disease and organ disease. MRI radiologist Danie Meintjes says: 'We undertook extensive research, and we believe that Philips Medical Systems is by far the market leader in high-end applications. The Achieva 3.0T in particular is the most flexible system on the market for sequence manipulation. Its exceptional image quality will routinely show us structures that previously we would only have seen in exceptional circumstances.'

One of the features of the Achieva 3.0T is its innovative design which is less intimidating and less claustrophobic than other MR machines. Dr Meintjes says the wide patient opening, fast scan times and accurate scans that reduce the need for rescanning all contribute to a more positive scan experience for the patient. 'Because certain studies are only possible at 3.0T, for example breathhold spectroscopy of the adrenal glands in the abdomen, we believe that purchasing the Philips Achieva 3.0T is the best long-term investment for ultrahigh-field strength applications. An added bonus is that we can now routinely see cartilage tears, something that was virtually impossible in the past', says Dr Meintjes.

Enquiries: Jasslyn Loader, tel (011) 772-1004, cell 084 551 3056, e-mail: jasslynl@jnpr.co.za