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NEW HIGH
DEFINITION MRI FIRST OF ITS TYPE IN VALLEY;
TO BENEFIT BROWNSVILLE PATIENTS
Brownsville, May 21, 2008 --
Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville has installed a new
high definition Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit which means
that doctors will have clearer images of the brain, blood vessels,
breast tissue and other areas inside the body. The
dramatically-improved pictures will assist local physicians in the
diagnosis and treatment of Brownsville-area patients with a wide
variety of diseases and conditions.
The
GE Healthcare Signa 1.5T 8-channel HDx MRI is the first high
definition magnet of its type in South Texas, offering technology
not previously available in the Valley. Vivid images from deep
inside the body are captured and displayed, similar to the way
high-definition television has dramatically improved the clarity of
TV signals.
“This new technology will be of tremendous benefit to our patients,”
said Leslie Bingham, CEO for Valley Baptist-Brownsville. “This is
another example of our commitment to help ensure that our patients
receive the best care possible.”
MRI uses a powerful magnet and radio waves (instead of X-rays) to
produce very detailed, cross-sectional images from inside the body.
These images help physicians pinpoint and identify problems of the
brain, spinal column, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and extremities. MRI
studies are non-invasive and can be faster, safer, less expensive,
and more comfortable for the patient than many invasive procedures.
New capabilities which the MRI brings to the Brownsville area
include:
• Motion Correction for Brain Studies – Normally if a patient
moves his or her head during an MRI, the study will be unusable and
will have to be repeated. With the new MRI, Valley
Baptist-Brownsville will have the ability to correct for many of
these movements, enabling better scans for patients who have
difficulty holding completely still during the procedure.
• High Resolution Imaging for Vascular Studies – Using
advanced software, doctors can view images inside narrow arteries
and veins with better-than-ever-before clarity and resolution.
• Advanced Breast Imaging – Unlike traditional MRI breast
imaging – which required exams to be conducted over two days – the
new scanner allows for high-resolution scanning of both breasts in
one visit, saving time and providing greater convenience for
patients.
“The addition of our new MRI system has given us the ability to
provide better care for our female patients,” said William Taw,
Radiologist. “Breast MR gives our physicians the ability to see both
breasts at the same time, which may potentially eliminate the
patient having to go through the breast imaging process twice.”
The new MRI is part of many improvements Valley Baptist has
committed to since purchasing the Brownsville hospital on W.
Jefferson and Central Blvd. in 2004. Upgrades are also being made to
the inpatient, surgical, women’s service and pediatrics areas of the
hospital. For more information on the benefits of new healthcare
technology in the Brownsville area, consult your physician and visit
www.ValleyBaptist.net.
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