Radiology Services

St Philip’s Hospital will soon be the best-equipped hospital in Malta in the Radiology Department.
At St Philip’s Hospital a wide range of diagnostic imagining examinations is offered from a range of high tech, state of the art x-ray and ultrasound equipment. The Radiology Suite at St Philip’s Hospital is conveniently situated on the ground floor level. It is served by excellent supporting facilities comprising a reporting room, private changing cubicles allowing access for wheelchairs, and integral private toilet facilities.

MRI – open MRI

An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan uses a magnetic field and low energy radio waves to produce a series of pictures of your head, spine, or other parts of your body. It does not use any x-rays, or any radioactive material or any form of ionizing radiation.

The only open MRI in Malta is being installed in St Philips Hospital as we go to press

Advantages of an open MRI
No Claustrophobia.
Since our MRI is open, patients will not feel claustrophobic during the examination.
As the system is open on one side you do not feel as if you have been entombed in a coffin like tunnel during your examination.

Moreover, kinetic studies can be performed, in that the injured or diseased part of the body may be examined in motion.

Large framed patients also will feel the added comfort of being examined in an open MRI system

Spiral CT

CT scanners work very much like other x-ray examinations. Very small, controlled amounts of x-ray radiation are passed through the body. When an x-ray is performed, an image of the inside of the body is captured.

A CT scanner captures a large number of images and the result is a very detailed, multidimensional view of the body’s interior.
Spiral CT scanner such as the one installed at St Philips Hospital can examine a whole body in less than one minute and a body part in less than 30 seconds.

Faster acquisition and higher-quality image results in less radiation exposure

Radiography

At St Philip’s Hospital we make use of automatic exposure devices and radiographic practices that are compliant with legislation to achieve safe and quality diagnostic images produced by the lowest radiation dosages to patients and staff. General radiography examinations, screening and contrast studies are performed at the main Unit, whereas a mobile unit allows x-rays to be taken in patients’ rooms if their condition warrants. This unit is also employed for theatre cases and neo-natal cases. Finally, a dedicated C-arm Image Intensifier is available for theatre investigations.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound has been a popular medical imaging technique for many years. Ultrasound or ultrasonography is a medical imaging technique that uses high frequency sound waves and their echoes. There are many situations in which ultrasound is performed. Perhaps you are pregnant, and your obstetrician wants you to have an ultrasound to check on the developing baby or determine the due date. Maybe you are having problems with blood circulation in a limb or your heart, and your doctor has requested a Doppler ultrasound to examine the blood flow. There are two Ultrasonic Units available for use at St Philip’s with special features allowing endosonic investigations and colour Doppler for vascular flow studies.

Mammography

A mammogram is a safe, low-dose x-ray picture of the breast. Mammograms are a quick, easy way to detect breast cancer early, when treatment is more effective and survival is high. St Philip’s is equipped with a dedicated Mammography Unit, which is sited, in its own self-contained suite in which clients may undergo this specialized examination in complete privacy.

Radiologists

Consultant Radiologists provide regular screening, ultrasound and reporting sessions by means of a roster and scheduled visits in order to ensure the provision of a comprehensive, professional and efficient service to both clinicians and patients.

Referral and Requests

Referrals to the Department can be made:

· Directly from a Specialist
· Directly from a Family Practitioner
· Consultants in occupational Health
· Company Doctor
· Self-referrals

Reporting

The consultant Radiologist carries out daily reporting sessions of x-ray films. Urgent cases receive immediate attention and copies of the reports are distributed as early as possible to the referring source.

Appointments

Appointments may be arranged at the patient’s convenience, taking into consideration any dietary requirements and the attendance of radiologists. In the case of emergencies, the Department operates a 24-hour service.

Open MRI

The New MRI at St Philips Hospital

The “Magneto C!” a new open 0.35 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging system (MRI).

The Magneto C! is currently the most compact C-shaped permanent magnet that meets routine clinical requirements for neurology, orthopedics, and angiography, as well as paediatrics, oncology, and cardiology.
System advantages include high field technology and excellent image quality. In addition, the system is open on three sides. The side “entry” to the unit used for all examinations (except those for the head and neck) means the patient has a clear view in all directions. The patient table moves two-dimensionally, ensuring that the region of interest is always at the center of the magnet to obtain optimum image quality. The C-shaped design simplifies the examination both for patients and hospital staff. Optimal access and easy examinations are possible even for obese patients. Fast, high field techniques such as iPAT (integrated parallel acquisition technique) are used to reduce measurement time and increase resolution. The high field technology 2D PACE for example enables the abdominal imaging for patients without breathing.

MRI -SPECIAL OFFER

Special Introductory Price Lm 350 for bookings for planned procedures December 2005.


Advantages of an MRI

Obviously one of the greatest advantages of MRI is that unlike X Rays or CT it does not use radiation – therefore MRI is an extremely safe investigation.



Now with open MRI - No more Claustrophobia


Many patients undergoing MRI examinations in closed tunnel machines often feel claustrophobic.



Spending half an hour in the tunnel of a traditional MRI machine can feel as if you are being buried alive.



The new open MRI machine installed at St Philip’s Hospital in Malta is the latest technology - it is a unique C-shaped magnet which allows the patient to enter from an open side of the machine



In virtually all exams, the patient’s head remains outside the magnet, encouraging a feeling of spaciousness and removing all claustrophobic feelings.



The patient feels and is indeed close to the outside of the machine.





Why would your doctor order an MRI?



Because the only way to see inside your body any better is to cut you open – and we are trying to avoid that!



MRI is excellent for:

Diagnosing and assessing Slipped herniated discs in the spine
Diagnosing injuries to the knee for instance torn cruciate ligaments
Diagnosing strokes in the earliest stages
Diagnosing tumours of the brain such as pituitary tumours
Diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS)
Diagnosing infections in the brain, in the spine or joints
Visualizing torn ligaments in the wrist, and ankle
Visualizing shoulder injuries
Evaluating masses in the soft tissues of the body
Evaluating bone tumors, cysts