New state of the art CT Scanner comes to Essex

CT scanning at Springfield Hospital in Chelmsford

Springfield Hospital is delighted to be the first private Hospital in Essex to install a 64-slice Siemens CT Scanner as part of its commitment to improving diagnostic imaging services for its patients.

CT scanning (Computed Tomography) builds up a picture of the body using x-rays to slice through the area under investigation. A high powered computer is then used to reconstruct a series of cross-sectional images which can be manipulated to show several kinds of body tissue; including soft tissue, blood vessels, lung and bone, in 3-D with a very high degree of clarity. All this information can be gathered from a single scan. A 64 slice scanner reduces the scan time and increases the data collected with each slice.

The Consultant Radiologist interpreting these CT images of the body will have more information available, aiding them to reach a medical diagnosis on such diseases as cancer, heart disease and muscular-skeletal disorders.

“This scanner represents the latest in CT technology and will enhance both our diagnostic imaging and interventional services, whilst providing a faster, more efficient service for our patients here in Essex”.

CT and MRI scanning available five days a week

The Siemens CT scanner has been installed within the radiology department at Springfield Hospital and is operational from 9-8pm, Monday to Friday.

Roger Eyles, Radiology Manager at Springfield Hospital;

“This is a major advance for Springfield Hospital. We can now provide a more pleasing environment for our patients, compared to previous mobile scanning facilities. In addition, for most investigations, we can now offer a scan within two days of receiving a request”.

To complement the installation of the CT scanner, Springfield Hospital has expanded its MRI scanning service from two to five days per week. An MRI provides images of the body without the use of x-rays and provides highly detailed images of the body; such as the brain and spinal cord.