World's first high-definition CT scanner at St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC

St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada, is now home to the world's first high-definition CT scanner. The hospital says it delivers unprecedented high-quality diagnostic images while using significantly less radiation than previous technology. Dr. Jonathon Leipsic, a radiologist with the hospital, says the new scanner will help with the early diagnosis of many diseases. "We'll advance the imaging of liver, lung and kidney disease, as well as earlier stroke detection, which is one of the goals of clinical medicine - to diminish the impact of stroke." Leipsic says it will also help reduce the need for further tests or procedures and it will better visualize smaller organs and arteries. Leipsic says less radiation from the the new technology will be safer for patients, with up to half the radiation for body scans, and up to 83 per cent less radiation for cardiac scans. Virginia Barrett, a cardiac patient who has used the scanner, says the machine is a blessing for the hospital and those in the Lower Mainland. "It takes about an hour and a half, and you can get an almost conclusive diagnosis." - News1130