Radiology department

MRI Scanning
Halifax Regional Hospital's radiology department consists of state-of-the-art equipment including our Siemen's Harmony 1.0 Tesla fixed-based magnet capable of performing all general MRI examinations as well as cardiac imaging, perfusion and diffusion imaging for stroke evaluation. This new magnet will also perform a vast array of MR angiography applications.

For scheduling or questions, please call us at (434) 517-3354 or (434) 517-3187.

Nuclear medicine (Cardiac, Diagnostic, and now PET)
Nuclear medicine incorporates the use of radionuclides (radioactive material that is designed to go directly to specific body parts) to diagnose and treat disease. Technologists administer the radionuclide pharmaceutical to the patient by mouth, injection or other means. They then monitor the characteristics and functions of tissues or organs getting localized treatment.

Abnormal areas show higher or lower concentrations of radioactivity than normal. Nuclear medicine cameras (scanners) detect and map the radioactive drug in the patient's body to create an image on a computer monitor that can be transferred to film.

We also perform stress treadmill studies and dual isotope exams.

PET scanning/molecular imaging
Halifax Regional offers Positron Emission Tomography or PET scanning via a mobile unit that visits the hospital one day a week, every other week. PET uses a camera to produce powerful images of the body’s biological and cellular functions. This unique scanning process is capable of detecting certain diseases before other imaging modalities, such as CT or MRI, can detect them.

PET images provide a direct measure of biochemistry and metabolic activity in the organs—signs of disease activity in the body’s cells. Because these functional changes take place before physical changes occur, PET imaging can provide information to help physicians make earlier diagnoses, “stage” cancers and determine if current treatments are effective. PET scans can also be used to rule out certain diseases, which can significantly reduce medical costs and help patients avoid needless pain and suffering.

How does PET work?
PET exams are painless and safe. A technologist will inject a patient with a radioactive “tracer,” a compound made of simple sugars (such as glucose) mixed with signal-emitting radioisotopes. Once injected, the patient rests for about 45 minutes while the compound is distributed through the body and processed by the organs that are being evaluated. The technologist will ask the patient to lie on the scanner table, and as the table slowly passes through the scanner ring, PET detects and records the signals emitted by the tracers. The signals are reassembled into images. A radiologist reads the images and discusses his or her findings with the patient’s physician.

Although the type of study will determine the length of the PET exam, most patients can expect to be at the imaging area for at least two hours. Several PET scans may be needed during a course of treatment, at 3- to 6-month intervals, for instance. Each scan helps show the progress of disease and how the body is responding to treatment such as surgery, medications, chemotherapy or radiation treatments, etc.

What are the benefits of PET?

Helps in the diagnosis and staging of cancer (lung; colorectal; breast—staging only; pancreatic; female reproductive; prostate; malignant melanoma; Hodgkin’s and other cancers).
Differentiates between benign and malignant tumors.
Assesses the location and stage of malignant disease.
Provides earlier detection of recurrent cancers.
Assesses coronary artery disease.
Identifies or helps to rule out Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases.
Replaces multiple diagnostic testing.
Reduces ineffective or unnecessary treatments.
Helps to avoid unnecessary surgery.
In many cases, helps to reduce medical costs.

For scheduling or questions about PET, please call (434) 517-3116.