The RNSH nuclear medicine team with the new scanner
state-of-the-art PET Scanner commences use at rnsh A state-of-the-art high resolution, ultra-high sensitivity “total body PET” scanner is now in use at Royal North Shore Hospital benefitting patients and clinical research.
halves the time it takes for a scan, and reduces the dose of radiation needed due to its precision. Head of Nuclear Medicine Prof Paul Roach said the previous PET/CT scanner used to take seven to eight images of the body which would take as long as 20 minutes. “The new scanner is able to capture most of the body in just one image” Paul said. “At least half the time the scanner will be used for our (hospital) patients and the other time it will be used by the university for clinical research.” The benefit to patients has been described as enormous, particularly cancer patients by providing more rapid scans which have higher image quality and better diagnostic performance than previous versions.
In an Australian-first, the PET/CT scanner will be used equally for clinical research and to perform diagnostic scans for patients with cancer as well as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and unknown infections. Geoffrey Bassell, of Goulburn, was the first patient to undergo a scan using the new scanner equipment on its first official day of operation. The scanner was purchased through a collaboration with the University of Sydney, the Federal Government’s National Imaging Facility and Northern Sydney Local Health District. Geoffrey is one of many patients who will benefit from the Siemens’ Quadra, which “It will also help us identify new biomarkers indicating which patients are likely to respond to some treatments. “This is important as we continue to see a rise in the number people diagnosed with some cancers. “For example, we are seeing an increase in those under 50 with early onset colorectal cancer, and by 2030, we expect one in 10 cases will be under 50 years old. “This is a concerning trend, with no clear explanation for the rise in these cases. “A decade ago there was little attention given to this condition, but we now have evidence of increased diagnosis in young people, who sadly, often present with
aggressive, advanced disease where treatment options are more limited.”
Dr Jun Li and Professor Mark Molloy
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