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Imaging Center – CT & MRI

//Imaging Center – CT & MRI
Imaging Center – CT & MRI2017-12-21T14:41:57+00:00

CT Scan – Computed Tomography

An accurate diagnosis of your pet’s underlying health issue can help lead to successful treatment options. Veterinary CT Scans are useful in the diagnosis of a wide variety of problems that occur in our veterinary patients, and they are ideal to view the internal structures of your pet such as:

  • Lungs
  • Nasal disease
  • Ear canal disorders
  • Dental disease
  • Evaluation of abdominal organs
  • Orthopedic conditions
  • Spine and spinal cord disorders with the aid of contrast dye
  • Soft tissue tumors
  • Myelography

About the Optima CT 520

  • 16-Slice Helical CT
  • Faster Scanning Time
  • Your pet will be under anesthesia for a shorter amount of time, or potentially not at all by using sedation
  • High Resolution Scans
  • Results in hour(s), not days
  • The same human-grade technology as at prestigious hospitals

If you think that your pet may benefit from the Imaging Center at University Veterinary Specialists, please contact our pet hospital in Pittsburgh at 724-717-CARE (2273).

MRI Scan – Magnetic Resonance Imaging

What is MRI?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sophisticated computerized imaging technique. MRI is used to create images with extraordinary detail of the body or brain by applying nuclear magnetic resonance phenomena. The distribution of hydrogen nuclei (protons), found in cellular water, depends on the tissue type and whether or not the tissue is healthy or diseased.  The image is produced then displayed on a gray scale from black to bright white. The contrast in the image provides the optimum difference between light and dark regions of the tissue or organ to help the veterinarian detect lesions, such as a tumor.

How is MRI used?

Soft tissue, such as internal organs, is relatively transparent to X-rays, limiting the practical application of other imaging modalities such as CT. MRI, however, has excellent sensitivity for these tissues with 100% increase in soft tissue resolution compared to it’s closest competitor CT. MRI has the additional benefit of not using ionizing radiation. The superior clarity of the images, particularly of the brain, combined with its non invasive nature led to its quick acceptance.

MRI in Veterinary Medicine

Until recently MRI has had limited application in veterinary medicine, primarily due to the expense of the imaging unit and associated computer needs, as well as the requirement for specially constructed rooms to house the units. Most veterinary facilities rely on older, used equipment. Our new, state-of-the-art, midfield Magnus MRI scanner will ensure a safe, efficient, fast scan.

About the Magnus AIP Vet-MRI

  • The FIRST pet-specific mid-field strength MRI in the country
  • Open magnet for easier patient access
  • Safe noise levels (50dB), compared to up to 120dB of high-field machines
  • High quality images
  • Veterinary-specific software – we don’t try and make human software work for animals