SAHMRI whole-body photon-counting CT imaging gives South Australia a treatment advantage in 2022
The whole-body photon-counting computed tomography imaging machine at South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute ould benefit patients through earlier diagnoses and reducing radiation dose by up to 45% when compared to existing scanners.
The first medical imaging technology of its kind in the southern hemisphere – whole-body photon-counting computed tomography machine – began operating at the clinical research and imaging centre of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) on North Terrace, Adelaide city, in 2022.
Dr Andrew Dwyer, partner radiologist with Jones Radiology and the head of imaging at SAHMRI, says photon-counting computed tomography was the biggest advance in CT (computed tomography) imaging technology in 20 years: “Photon-counting CT is the equivalent of going from regular TV to HD and black-and-white to colour all in one step. This technology can visualise inside coronary artery plaques and identify people who are at risk of heart attack, as well as probe cancer cells like never before.”
The new technology would benefit patients through earlier diagnoses and reducing radiation dose by up to 45% when compared to existing scanners.
Dr Johan Verjans, SAHMRI artificial intelligence group leader and Jones Radiology cardiologist, said the upgrade was a game changer: “The scanner enables us to see small structures in greater detail and get around common issues of CT such as calcifications or stents that block the view into an artery.” An image of the heart could be taken in one heartbeat, with ultra-high resolution that was helpful for older patients with complications, calcifications and stents so smaller vessels could be seen and to determine the stage of the disease to guide treatment.
SAHMRI director professor Steve Wesselingh said it was another win for medical research in the state: “Once again, SAHMRI, with the crucial support of our government and industry partners, is able to deliver the absolute cutting edge of medical technology for South Australia.” The South Australian government supported the research through nearly $1 million in funding.
