Marko Trifunovic (left), Lead PET and Theranostics Technologist, MMI, and Matt Ayers, Associate Director Imaging and Hospital Operations, MQ Health.
Macquarie Medical Imaging (MMI) has taken delivery of a $3 million digital PET/CT scanner that provides the highest-resolution images currently available, with a lower dose of radiation.
MMI is now the only location in New South Wales – and one of only two sites in Australia – to offer this state-of-the-art scanning technology.
Positron emission tomography (PET) is vital in diagnosing and monitoring a number of diseases, including cancer and heart disease, while computer tomography (CT) is used to create cross-sectional images of the body showing bones, organs and muscle.
Matt Ayers, Associate Director, Imaging and Hospital Operations, says the new scanner represents one of the biggest single investments for MMI, and will bring numerous benefits for patients.
“Because the new scanner uses highly sensitive digital detection, it delivers less radiation to the patient’s body and has a reduced scan time, all without compromising image quality,” he says.
Other machines take an average of 20 to 30 minutes, but this scanner will only take 10 minutes, which makes the whole experience significantly more comfortable for patients who may already be feeling stressed or anxious.
“It can also detect smaller lesions, which is extremely important in diagnosing and monitoring cancer.”
The new scanner is now available to patients, with MMI bulk billing all Medicare-eligible PET/CT studies.
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