Lock Haven, PA – Lock Haven Hospital has acquired the Forte nuclear imaging system-or gamma camera-from Philips Medical Systems. With the Forte system, Lock Haven Hospital can perform non-invasive, highly advanced diagnostic tests that can lead to potentially life-saving treatment options or rule out serious medical conditions.

Unlike some imaging tests, nuclear imaging allows clinicians to see how a part of the body is functioning at the metabolic level, providing more definitive screening and treatment staging for diseases like cancer. This improved diagnostic confidence may alter the course of action and have a positive impact on patient outcomes. For instance, a patient may be able to avoid a biopsy or an invasive surgical procedure.

Nuclear imaging is an important diagnostic technology for lung, breast, liver and other types of cancer. It is also extremely effective for other common applications such as cardiac, bone, pulmonary, brain, thyroid, and renal imaging.

The Forte system enables clinicians to perform a powerful type of nuclear imaging called SPECT-Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography-that allows visualization of activity within the body. SPECT is particularly effective for cardiology, brain, and some orthopedic and oncology applications. It generates 3D images whereas non-SPECT, or planar imaging, consists of 2D snapshots or moving images to physiology.

“The Forte system has the potential to broaden our application for nuclear medicine imaging,”   said Nuclear Medicine Technologist Rick Conklin. “This means we can provide a higher level of diagnostic confidence and more efficient, effective care for our patients.”

Concurrent imaging allows clinicians to obtain multiple images, with each having different acquisition parameters. This technique provides significant additional diagnostic information without extending imaging time.

Additionally the Forte system features the latest Philips EPIC-AZ detector technology that provides higher resolution for uniformly outstanding image quality.

Depending on what type of exam is scheduled, the patient can spend anywhere from 30 minutes up to approximately three hours on the nuclear imaging department. Actual imaging time can range for 15 minutes to approximately 2 hours. During the exam, a radioactive tracer is administered to the patient. The radioactive isotope decays, resulting in the emission or gamma rays. The Forte system acts as a gamma camera, showing the distribution of the tracer in the area to be studied. These gamma rays are processed by the system and displayed as images on screen that give the clinician details about what’s happening inside that part of the body.

After careful evaluation on the resulting images, a physician can then recommend treatment options or regimens, in some cases reducing or eliminating the need for more invasive test or procedures. There are no known side effects caused by the imaging system and patients are able to resume normal activity afterward.

Lock Haven Hospital is please to be able to offer this important improvement in healthcare to its patients.  Patient referrals may be made by calling (570) 893-5142.