For Immediate Release |
Contact: Amanda Rose, PR Coordinator Phone: (518) 773-5533 |
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Littauer Offers the Latest in Advanced Imaging
Gloversville....
Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home announced today that it is now offering Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging. The PET/CT is an upgrade to the dedicated PET scanner that Littauer has had for four years. Littauer is the only facility in the tri-county area to offer PET/CT imaging. PET/CT imaging is available every Tuesday.
"PET/CT combines the two most powerful tools in diagnostic imaging," states Dr. Sunjay Verma, Littauer’s medical director of radiology. "It can increase the accuracy of detecting disease by identifying physiological changes and determining the exact location. This procedure has great potential to provide useful information for patients and physicians. PET/CT is one of the most exciting developments in diagnostic imaging."
PET imaging is unique because it has the ability to measure metabolic activity of cells, which leads to accurate, noninvasive detection and staging of many cancers. PET can identify areas in which cancer is present and is able to differentiate between cells that are malignant or benign even before structural changes are visible. A PET scan is a noninvasive, painless procedure. A patient undergoing a PET scan is injected with a form of radioactive glucose about an hour before the scan. This injection acts as a 'tracer' throughout the body. Because cancer cells have a higher rate of metabolism than non-cancer cells, abnormalities absorb this radioactive glucose in higher concentrations causing them to stand out from normal structures.
CT imaging plays a complementary role to PET imaging by demonstrating the anatomical location of the physiologic anomaly. By combining the two, all the information is obtained with one procedure. PET/CT is utilized in: oncology to determine the location and extent of tumor growth; in neurology to aid in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, stroke, brain tumors and seizures; and in cardiology to determine the perfusion and viability of the heart. When incorporated into a patient’s work up, PET/CT imaging can aid in appropriately planning and managing the patient’s care.
"It is very unique for a community hospital to offer such a technologically advanced diagnostic tool," states Larry Kelly, Littauer’s president/CEO. "Bringing PET/CT to Littauer reflects our belief that people in this area deserve convenient access to the most advanced technologies available. Providing this tool to patients can make a major difference in diagnosis and treatment."
In addition to PET/CT, Littauer also offers digital mammography, 4-D ultrasound, breast ultrasound, dexa-scan, CT, MRI, breast MRI, nuclear stress test, and other diagnostic imaging services. For more information on PET/CT scans at Littauer call the Nuclear Medicine department at 773-5525 or ask your physician for a referral to Littauer. *** |
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