New Developments

PET Scans
Fibroid Embolization
Filmless Radiology and PACS
Open MRI

PET Scan Service Available at Columbus Circle

Continuum’s Department of Radiology is pleased to announce the addition of a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan service at the St. Luke’s – Roosevelt Hospital Center division, Columbus Circle Imaging office (1790 Broadway between 57 & 58th Street).

PET scanning allows more precise determination of whether a given tumor is cancerous, whether a cancer has spread, and if so, how extensively. In addition, a PET scan allows a physician to determine whether a cancer has responded to treatment.

For patients with coronary artery disease and/or for those who have had previous heart attacks, the PET scan can differentiate live heart tissue from scarring. This in turn helps the cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons determine whether coronary artery angioplasty or bypass surgery can be beneficial in improving the function of the heart.

For more information or to schedule an appointment (a written request from a physician is required), please call (212) 977-4100.

Filmless radiology
Filmless radiology is not a specialized diagnostic field but rather, a system which works in addition to existing methods of testing. Also known as computed radiology or CR, this method digitizes traditional film technology into electronic files which can be viewed and saved on a computer. The CR process allows for arguably clearer and easier to read images allowing the patient a faster evaluation and diagnosis. The time saved may prove to be a crucial element in the patient's treatment process. The following types of conventional radiologic tests can be used in the filmless process:

What is PACS?
With filmless radiology, images taken from the above sources can be manipulated to enhance resolution, increasing the clarity of the image. Images can also be transferred internally within departments and externally to other facilities such as the office of the patient's doctor. This is made possible through PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications System) which electronically captures, transmits, displays and saves images into digital archives for use at any given time.

Conventional diagnostic equipment is used to to capture the image data. The image is simply sent through a process similar to that of sending and receiving mail through the internet. This system of sending and viewing radiologic images by means of a computerized process is called teleradiology (tele is the Greek word for "over a distance"). Another benefit of this system is that physicians and clinicians are able to receive peer consultation in a more time-efficient manner. "By electronically transmitting images between facilities, we can reduce the time to interpret images from hours to minutes, providing better service to our patients and providers," states Marc Katz, the Administrative Director of Radiology at Beth Israel.



Open MRI
Just a short time ago, there existed few alternatives that could be offered if a patient experienced severe discomfort prior to or during traditional MRI testing. With new medical and technological advancement, the open MRI has become the best option for those patients who are claustrophobic or, for health related reasons, are not able to receive this type of diagnostic test.

The basic technology of an open MRI is similar to that of a traditional MRI test. The major difference for the patient is that instead of lying in a narrow, tube-shaped structure, the patient lies on an imaging table with more space around the body. Just above the patient is a large, round mechanism from which electromagnetic waves are transmitted. Like the traditional MRI, an open MRI test is also painless and does not use ionizing radiation. Pre-testing preparation is the same for both MRI tests. Physician recommendation is necessary for some open MRI procedures.

For additional information about open MRI testing, please contact the staff at Columbus Circle MRI or visit the website for our Dove Open MRI facility.