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Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst announces the Triangle's first 1.5T high field Open Bore MRI
Raleigh, NC. Aug 27, 2007- Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst installed the triangle's first Open Bore, 1.5 Tesla, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system that combines a larger bore, or opening, for obese and claustrophobic patients with the ability to capture high field quality diagnostic images.
"This is going to increase our efficiency and patient convenience," says Kent Davis, MD Medical Director at Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst. "The patient-friendly design of this magnet will make it easier for large patients and those with claustrophobia to have a MRI examination which produces higher quality images. This will potentially reduce the need to repeat and interrupt exams."
"Certainly, all patients deserve the same access to innovative medical imaging technology used for visualization, diagnosis and treatment of planning of cancer, diabetes, heart and vascular disorders and other diseases associated with obesity," says Nancy Gillen, president of the MR Division of Siemens Medical Systems.
Since two-thirds of American adults are overweight, the health-care industry is challenged to accommodate these larger patients with imaging systems that were designed for people who weigh much less. Currently, patients too large to fit inside the bore of a high-field MRI magnet have image studies done in open MRI systems with low-field magnets. This limits the diagnostic usefulness of the images obtained. The field strength of a magnet is measured in units of Tesla-the higher the number, the higher the field strength. The higher the field strength, the better the quality of images produced.
Claustrophobic patients present another challenge for MRI systems. They can be sedated, adding to their inconvenience and the time it takes to schedule and perform an exam.
The Siemen's Medical Solutions MAGNETOM Espree at Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst will feature a bore opening of nearly 2.3 feet in diameter and almost one foot of free space between a patient's head and the magnet. The Espree also features the shortest 1.5 Tesla magnet available. Approximately four feet long, the magnet allows more than 60 percent of exams to be completed with the patient's head outside the bore, helping to ease claustrophobia.
The new system provides up to four times more signal-to-noise ratio over traditional open MR designs, which is desirable in imaging larger patients. In addition, the Espree can perform advanced clinical applications in less time, because it combines strong gradient performance with Siemen's Total imaging matrix (TIMT) technology. Tim is the first whole body surface coil design that enables the highest resolution images in a shorter acquisition time. Tim coils are very light, making them both easy to position and tolerate when scanning larger patients, improving cooperation.
The MAGNETOM Espree provides the best patient comfort and high quality images and diagnostic confidence for all types of patients. Awarded a certificate of need (CON) to install a fixed MRI in 2005 by the Division of Facility Services of the State of North Carolina, Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst installed the Siemen's MAGNETOM Espree July 23, and launched patient services August 27. Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst provides open bore MRI services six days per week.
J.B. Mitchell, MD joins Raleigh Radiology Associates
Raleigh Radiology is pleased to announce Dr. Joshua Brannon ("J.B.") Mitchell as the newest member of our practice. Holding a doctorate of medicine from the University of Tennessee in Memphis, Dr. Mitchell has received additional training in radiology from Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Mitchell is also fellowship trained in Musculoskeletal Radiology from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, and brings valuable experience in diagnostic and orthopedic imaging.
"I am truly excited about joining Raleigh Radiology Associates with their time honored commitment of service to referring physicians as well as the community as a whole," stated Dr. Mitchell, "Their dedication to maintaining cutting edge technology in a comfortable environment has been instrumental in my decision to call Raleigh home. I look forward to carrying on that tradition of service and excellence while striving for continued advancement in this dynamic field."
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Raleigh Radiology becomes the first "fully digital mammography" practice in our area.
Female patients can now be assured that all mammograms performed by Raleigh Radiology will be digital mammograms. The recent addition of the Lorad Selenia Full Field Digital Mammography system at Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst completes the digital technology installation for the practice. Currently Raleigh Radiology has three convenient outpatient locations offering digital mammography, and serves at Rex Hospital
In 2005, research showed digital mammography as superior to traditional film screen mammography in female patients under the age of 50 and in women with dense breast tissue. Raleigh Radiology was the first practice to bring digital mammography to Wake County, and is pleased to offer this technology to all women at all mammography locations.
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Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst launches their own "Extreme Makeover"
Spring kicked off a center wide renovation at Raleigh Radiology's Cedarhurst location near the intersection of Millbrook and Falls of Neuse Roads in North Raleigh. In order to continue their efforts to provide above and beyond patient care while making extensive improvements to the physical facility, the team initiated their own "Extreme Makeover" to accomplish their patient and team satisfaction goals.
Though Ty Pennington was unavailable to motivate the RRC team, their design team leader (a.k.a Susan Hawkins, RT-Administrator) boosted the RRC design team into gear. Themed signage and items such as hard hats and gummy tool shaped candies, helped transform the facility into a makeover zone. Design team t-shirts provided walking advertisements to help educate patients about the new benefits and Fridays were officially dedicated as team t-shirt and denim days throughout the construction. Patients and staff also enjoyed activities and games throughout the project for prizes.
Improvements to the Cedarhurst facility include:
- Digital mammography
- Upgraded bone density
- Private women's imaging and waiting
- Upgraded 16-slice CT
- The triangle's first 1.5T high field Open Bore MRI
    
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Raleigh Radiology Breast Center Receives ACR Accreditation: 05-16-2007
Raleigh Radiology's Breast Center located at 3900 Barrett Drive Suite 100 Raleigh, NC has been awarded a 3-year term of accreditation in Digital Mammography as the result of a recent survey by the American College of Radiology.
The ACR, headquartered in Reston, Va., awards accreditation to facilities for the achievement of high practice standards after a peer-review evaluation of the practice. Evaluations are conducted by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. They assess the qualifications of the personnel and the adequacy of facility equipment. The surveyors report their findings to the ACR's Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report.
The ACR is a national organization serving more than 32,000 diagnostic-interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, and nuclear medicine and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.
Raleigh Radiology's Breast Center offers screening digital mammography and bone density screenings with same day availablity.
About Raleigh Radiology:Raleigh Radiology consists of 20 board certified radiologists, most of whom have held additional fellowships in subspecialty fields of radiology, allowing them to provide the highest quality of care for patients in the triangle. Raleigh Radiology physicians are affiliated with Rex Healthcare System providing professional services to its imaging departments. In addition, Raleigh Radiology has 2 full service, multi-modality outpatient facilities in North and Northwest Raleigh as well as a Women's Imaging Breast Center in Raleigh. For more information, visit www.raleighrad.com.
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Raleigh Radiology wins National Cause – related Marketing Award for Breast Cancer Awareness Efforts in the Triangle
Raleigh Radiology was recently awarded an RBMA Quest Award for their efforts supporting the 2006 Komen NC Triangle Race for the Cure and Susan G. Komen for the Cure ®. Quest Awards were created by the Radiology Business Management Association to recognize and honor radiology practices for their excellence and advancement in effective marketing programs. Raleigh Radiology was specifically noted for their efforts to generate staff involvement for their Gold Sponsorship of the 2006 Komen NC Triangle Race for the Cure ® through team challenges and contests, community involvement through cost effective race day promotional items, educational displays, and advertising channels, and their efforts to raise funds to be utilized by Susan G. Komen for the Cure for breast cancer programs and research.
The staff and physicians of Raleigh Radiology plan to continue their participation and support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure through sponsorships of the 2007 Komen NC Triangle Race for the Cure ® and the 2008 NCSU Hoops for Hope. For more information about ways that you can support Susan G. Komen for the Cure or to register for the 2007 Komen NC Triangle Race for the Cure ®, visit www.komennctriangle.org.
About Raleigh Radiology
Raleigh Radiology consists of 18 board certified radiologists, most of whom have held additional fellowships in subspecialty fields of radiology, allowing them to provide the highest quality of care for patients. Raleigh Radiology was the first in Wake County to offer digital mammography, the most advance technology available for the early detection of breast cancer. For more information visit www.raleighrad.com.
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Raleigh Radiology accepts United Healthcare
The recent decisions by major healthcare providers in the Raleigh market to terminate contracts with United Healthcare of North Carolina probably came as a surprise to many physicians and their patients who are insured by this major provider of health insurance coverage. This change from in-network to out-of-network status translates into increased out–of–pocket expenses – something patients did not see coming.
This change in coverage may leave the impacted patients and their physicians searching for new cost effective providers who deliver the quality of care they are accustomed to and deserve. Out–of pocket, out–of network costs are significant. Raleigh Radiology patients can be assured In-network coverage.
Raleigh Radiology was established more than 20 years ago and has gained an outstanding reputation for delivering excellent quality of care while providing exceptional customer service. This group provides professional services to the Rex Healthcare System imaging departments and in their private outpatient imaging facilities located throughout the Raleigh area.
What sets Raleigh Radiology apart?
- Board Certified Radiologists specializing in all facets of radiology
- Same day report turnaround; Stat reads called to ordering MD
- Same day appointment availability for most exams
- Results called to ordering MD when unexpected results are found
- Fully digital practice (first in the area to offer digital mammography
- On-line access to reports and images
- Convenient hours of operation
- State-of-the art equipment & facilities
- Contracts with all major insurance carriers
Consider Raleigh Radiology when you need imaging studies. We have availability most days to work patients into our Ultrasound, MRI, CT and general schedule. We are happy to accommodate United Healthcare patients. We are contracted with most major insurance carriers. We will gladly accommodate transfer of images from other providers to Raleigh Radiology in order to compare studies and provide a continuum of care that will meet your medical needs.
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Raleigh Radiology honored to participate in the 2nd Annual Hoops for Hope
A team committed to the cause, Raleigh Radiology continued their support of breast cancer research and the Susan G. Komen Foundation by sponsoring this year's Hoops for Hope with Coach Kay Yow. The event, held at Reynolds Coliseum on January 28, brought in over 7971 visitors and successfully raised $43,820 in the fight against breast cancer. A win-win as the Wolfpack women's basketball team also defeated Boston College 64 -46.
An event full of hope and emotion, Hoops for Hope consisted of a concourse full of food, health education, donating opportunities to research, a silent auction, and dozens of breast cancer survivors were honored during halftime. NC State women's basketball coach Kay Yow was recognized with a special presentation following the game in support of her own well-publicized battle with breast cancer. Raleigh Radiology was pleased to educate visitors with a booth at the event and provide education about early detection, self breast exam shower card reminders, and pink ribbon fans to wave their support for Coach Yow and the Wolfpack women, and in support of all the survivors honored during the game. Dr. Julie Taber, Chief of Radiology at Rex Hospital and a breast imaging specialist of Raleigh Radiology, was on-site during the event to answer questions for visitors as well. Raleigh Radiology's own survivor, Peggy Caneveri, participated in the halftime survivor recognition at this year's Hoops for Hope. "The recognition we received at half time was overwhelming," expressed Peggy, "I was so happy to have my family, friends, and supporters cheer me and my survivor sisters on. I'm especially proud that my Raleigh Radiology family was not only a sponsor for the event but standing by my side at the game as they have since the day I was diagnosed. The tears that were shed were tears of celebration and joy."
Annually Raleigh Radiology promotes breast cancer awareness and education in the community by sponsoring the NC Triangle Race for the Cure and participating in events such as National Mammography Day providing free screenings to uninsured patients.
Raleigh Radiology consists of 19 board certified radiologists, many of whom have held additional fellowships and training in subspecialty areas of women's and breast imaging, providing women with the most advanced technology and care available today for breast cancer prevention and diagnosis. Raleigh Radiology has three convenient outpatient locations for patients, and was the first in Wake County to provide digital mammography, the newest tool in the fight against breast cancer. For more information, visit www.raleighrad.com
     
     
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Raleigh Radiology Blue Ridge Upgrades its CT scanner to a 16 Slice
Raleigh Radiology is pleased to announce the installment of a new GE Light Speed 16 Slice CT scanner in our Blue Ridge office. The new multi-slice scanner officially began scanning patients on December 20th, 2006. This 16-slice scanner can perform all types of exams done by our previous scanner but will do them faster and better.
"Faster" is due to the multi-detector design which allows for the acquisition of 16 slices or images per tube rotation in less than a second. At this speed, the scanner can perform a routine chest study in 6 seconds and view the abdomen and pelvis in 8 to 10 seconds.
"Better" means the Radiologist can see smaller anatomical details due to the thinner "grid-like" detector design. More detail reveals smaller abnormalities and diagnoses that are more definitive.
Due to the increase in speed and detail, additional protocols such as pulmonary embolus studies can be performed in our office.
The new scanner also offers considerable advantages to our patients. It allows for a more comfortable breath hold during an exam. This results in a more accurate diagnosis while also reducing examination time.
The GE scanner also features an automatic exposure control system which adjusts the radiation dose to the patient's body mass and age. This results in a decreased dose to the patient while maintaining image quality. As always, Raleigh Radiology practices radiation safety for all of their procedures.
A new Med Rad Stellant D dual injector was also installed along with our new scanner. This dual injector is designed to safely inject x-ray IV contrast media and saline to the patient during their exam. Use of this saline "chase" technique has been hypothesized to reduce the total amount of contrast media needed for the CT exam. This dose reduction of contrast media is advantageous in patients with renal insufficiency. It can also be cost effective for the patient.
The installment of this new scanner and injector will allow Raleigh Radiology to continue providing the highest quality of care to its patients while offering cutting-edge technology.
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The Raleigh Radiology Breast Center has relocated!!!
We stayed in the neighborhood to continue to serve
Referring physicians and their patients in the North Hills area!
The Raleigh Radiology Breast Center that was formerly located at 3700 Computer Drive relocated to 3900 Barrett Drive Suite 100.
This new facility offers:
- The latest technology in digital mammography and bone density screening.
- Convenient parking with first floor handicapped access
- Convenient appointment times— since this is a dedicated women’s imaging center patients will get in and out quickly.
- Ladies only spa like environment
- Studies are interpreted by Board Certified Radiologists recognized as leaders in their fields.
This Women’s Imaging facility is the best kept secret in town!
If you have questions or would like to schedule, feel free to call 781-1437.
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November 2006
Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst awarded National Recognition as ADVANCE Magazine's 2006 Imaging Center of the year
Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst was recently named "Imaging Center of the Year" by ADVANCE for Imaging and Radiation Therapy Professionals and Administrators. ADVANCE Magazine hosts contests annually for Imaging Center and Imaging Professional of the Year. Nominated by professional colleagues for their efforts to provide exceptional care for patients and referring physicians, employee teambuilding, and efforts to serve the community and uninsured patients, Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst was selected as the 2006 recipient of this national award. "We truly value each member of our team and we recognize we are successful due to exceptional performance from the first phone call to report delivery," said Susan Hawkins, Administrator of Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst. "We are excited this is an honor that recognizes our entire staff. If is a pleasure working with a team so focused on customer service and patient care."
The staff and physicians of Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst were featured on the cover and feature story in the October 30, 2006 issue ADVANCE Magazine for Imaging and Radiation Therapy Professionals. They will be the upcoming feature cover story for the January 2007 ADVANCE magazine for Imaging and Radiation Therapy Administrators.
For the entire article, click here. And for more information, click here.
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Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst announces plans to install a fixed MRI on–site
Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst, located near the intersection of Millbrook and Falls of Neuse Roads in North Raleigh, announces plans to install a fixed MRI on–site. Construction will soon begin and should conclude in mid 2007. Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst was recently awarded the 2005 Certificate of Need (CON) to install a fixed MRI by the Division of Facility Services of the State of North Carolina.
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October 2006
Raleigh Radiology featured in Health Imaging Magazine
Sabreina Johnson, Raleigh Radiology's Blue Ridge facility PACS Administrator, was interviewed for Health Imaging magazine about our Breast Imaging Work Flow. To see the full article, click here.
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Breast Cancer Awareness Month and National Mammography Day
Raleigh Radiology celebrated National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October by participating in National Mammography Day on Friday October 20, 2006. For the fourth year in a row, patients without insurance coverage were able to receive free screening mammograms on this day at Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst and the Breast Center on Computer Drive. The number of mammograms performed on this day has steadily grown each year, and Raleigh Radiology is happy to provide this important service to our community. For more information about National Mammography Day or National Breast Cancer Awareness month activities visit www.nbcam.org or www.acr.org.
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Raleigh Radiology featured in Outpatient Care Technology national magazine
Raleigh Radiology's digital mammography technology was featured in Outpatient Care Technology's Oct/Nov Issue. Check it out here.
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September 2006
Raleigh Radiology's Digital Mammography gets National Exposure
Raleigh Radiology's digital mammography service was featured on the Aunt Minnie website and the Hologic website in September 2006. For more information, click here.
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Raleigh Radiology adds additional Orthopaedic Services
Raleigh Radiology is now offering Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections also known as ESIs to treat patients with swollen and inflamed spinal nerve roots often referred to as "pinched nerve." Patients experiencing this may have pain in the lower back, pain down one or both legs, numbness or tingling of your legs or feet and or weakness in one or both legs or feet. Lumbar Steroid Injections involve an injection of a steroid (an anti-inflammatory medicine) into an area of your lower back called epidural space. After the procedure, you will be asked to reduce your activities at home for at least 24 to 48 hours to allow the medicine a chance to do its work. Within a few days after the injection, the medicine should reduce the swelling and inflammation of these nerves and thereby reduce your symptoms. An ESI works well for most people with the above symptoms. While it will not cure everyone, this procedure is extremely helpful to relieve the pain caused by "pinched nerves". This procedure is performed by one of Raleigh Radiology's musculoskeletal radiologists.
In addition to ESIs, Raleigh Radiology is offering arthrography procedures for patients with joint pain, swelling or abnormal movement of their joint. An arthrogram is an X-ray taken after a contrast material is injected into your affected joint. It is used to view the soft tissue structures of you joint such as tendons, ligaments, muscles, cartilage and the joint capsule. This procedure can be done on various joints including your hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, and wrist. Arthrograms may be done alone or in conjunction with other tests such as MRI and CT. These procedures are performed by our musculoskeletal radiologists in our outpatient facilities.
Raleigh Radiology has also added therapeutic joint injections to its list of orthopaedic services. These injections can be performed on joints in the foot, ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, elbow and wrist. They are ordered by your physician for joint pain and inflammation.
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Radiofrequency Ablations (RFA) performed by Dr Satish Mathan
Cancer has traditionally been approached either systemically with chemotherapy, or locally with surgery or radiotherapy. Recent advancements in minimally-invasive therapies are adding another tool to the anti-cancer arsenal. Thermal ablation is heating tumors so hot that the tumor cells die. It has been studied in many forms, including microwave, laser, high-intensity focused ultrasound, and cryotherapy (freezing below -20 C). Radiofrequency thermal ablation or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has emerged as the most commonly used technology for thermal ablation in the bone, liver, kidney, lung, heart, breast, lymph nodes, nerve ganglia, and soft tissue. Microwave, cryotherapy, and high intensity focused ultrasound devices are available and being studied at the NIH as well. At this time, it is unclear which technology is advantageous in which clinical scenarios.
Recent developments in radiofrequency ablation technology make large-volume tissue ablation (or cooking tumors) effective for local control of some cancer. Local tumor control is an attractive option for some patients who are not ideal surgical candidates, have failed conventional therapies, or have contraindications to surgery or recurrent tumors. Radiofrequency ablation may also expand surgical options. For example, RFA may convert an inoperable patient into a surgical candidate by treating small liver lesions that are too difficult or too spread out to remove with surgery.
Needle-based tissue ablation techniques performed through the skin may provide alternatives to open surgical procedures in certain patients, and may augment conventional therapies.
RFA provides safe and effective local treatment of some cancers, with very small complication rates and survival curves similar to surgery for colorectal carcinoma liver metastases < 4 cm, and hepatocellular carcinomas < 5 cm. RFA could also impact palliative treatments for incurable disease, and it may allow an increase in the rate of curative liver resection.
How does it work? The patient is made into an electrical circuit by placing grounding pads on the thighs. The procedure may be performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia or conscious sedation. A 14 to 17.5 gauge needle-electrode with an insulated shaft and non-insulated tip, is inserted through the skin with imaging guidance using ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. A treatment session has only 10 to 60 minutes of active ablation or cooking. The energy at the exposed tip causes ionic agitation and frictional heat, which cooks the tumor and leads to cell death and coagulation necrosis, if hot enough (above 50 degrees C). This is gradually replaced by fibrosis and scar tissue. Over the coming months, the treated tissue shrinks in volume. If there is local recurrence, it occurs at the margin, and in some cases may be retreated. The active tip may be different lengths or configurations. The interventionalist uses knowledge of the underlying mechanism of thermal tissue ablation and the specific heat effects upon tissue to accurately predict ablation volume and shape, and to plan for disease-free treatment margins.
Heat has been used in medicine as long as history. Ancient Hindu medicine used heated metal bars and the Greeks used heated stones to stop bleeding. Electrocautery has been used for decades in surgery to fulgurate, cauterize, cut tissue, and to stop bleeding. The RFA generator uses a slight modification of the old technology to deposit the energy over a larger volume. The RFA generator also cauterizes tissue as it heats it, thus limiting blood loss and decreasing the risk of bleeding.
Percutaneous, minimally-invasive, local treatment is an attractive new tool for the cancer patient, especially for disease in the liver. There is no existing effective treatment for the vast majority of patients with liver metastases. Most primary liver tumors are unresectable at the time of discovery. Recurrence is common, even in candidates undergoing curative resection. Local treatment preserves uninvolved liver tissue, has potentially fewer systemic complications and side-effects than systemic treatment options like chemotherapy, and avoids the morbidity and mortality of major liver surgery. It is not a replacement for surgery, however.
RFA is fast, easy, predictable, safe, and relatively cheap. A multidisciplinary team approach is vital to the care of the oncology patient at the National Institutes of Health. Interventional radiologists work closely with oncology and surgical specialists to plan the best treatment for the cancer patient. Ask your physician about treatment options. Have your physician or oncologist contact us directly to see if you might benefit from treatment.
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 July 2006
Dr. Andrew Moran, MD
Dr. Andrew Moran joined Raleigh Radiology in July 2006. Dr. Moran practices diagnostic radiology with expertise in body imaging and nuclear radiology. He is a native of California. He received his undergraduate degree from Idaho State University in 1995. He attended the University of Utah School of Medicine where he received his MD degree in 1999. Dr. Moran comes to Raleigh Radiology from Duke University Hospital where he completed his residency in diagnostic radiology and fellowships in both body imaging and nuclear radiology. He resides in Raleigh with his family.
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June 2006
Raleigh Radiology Gold Sponsors for the 2006 Race for the Cure
Raleigh Radiology is committed to the early detection of breast cancer not only by providing the latest technology in mammography known as digital mammography but also through it's commitment to organizations such as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. This year Raleigh Radiology wanted to sponsor the Race for the Cure at a gold level to show its dedication to the cause. This cause is so important to us for several reasons - a big part of our business is early detection through mammography and we also have a breast cancer survivor in our office, Peggy Canevari. This keeps it close to our hearts!
This year was the 10th Anniversary of the Race for the Cure took place June 10, 2006 at Meredith College and it was fantastic! There were over 20,000 participants and over 1 million dollars was raised to move closer to the goal of eradicating breast cancer by advancing research, education, screening and treatment.
Raleigh Radiology had a table that included educational information on Raleigh Radiology and its services and locations, mammography, self breast examination and gave away promotional items to race participants.
It was truly a day to remember as we watched those survivors do the survivor walk for the survivor recognition. Early detection and treatment technology has come so far. Raleigh Radiology is pleased to be a part of this community effort. We encourage you to get involved in this worthy cause!
     
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