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VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital
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VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital
310-473-2951
VCA West Los Angele Animal Hospital utilizes Toshiba's Aquilion 16 CT scanner system, an advanced computed tomography (CT) scanner with enhanced features for greater patient comfort and safety, quicker exam times, and improved image quality for faster, more effective diagnosis and treatment. This is particularly important when determining the extent of injuries in trauma cases, where every second matters.
While CT uses X-ray technology, it is distinguished from other imaging tools like traditional X-ray and MRI by its ability to display a combination of soft tissue (like muscles, tissue, organs and fat), bones and blood vessels all in a single image. Clinicians perform CT scans to diagnose kidney, lung, liver, spine, blood diseases, cancer, tumors and cysts, as well as blood clots, hemorrhages and infections.
During a CT exam, a patient lies on a table and is slowly moved into the large donut-shaped opening of the scanner. Once inside, a series of X-ray beams create hundreds of cross-sectional pictures that represent slices of the patient's body. Seconds later, the system's computer assembles the slices into three-dimensional images that are interpreted by a clinician.
About The Aquilion 16 CT Scanner
The Aquilion 16 is has the ability to acquire 16 anatomical slices at once, offering physicians more detailed images. Image quality is further enhanced with a fast scanning capability (400 milliseconds to rotate around a patient's body) that effectively reduces any image distortion from scanning moving organs, such as the heart and lungs. As a result, the scanner delivers more accurate clinical images depicting fine details, including minute coronary arteries, non-calcified plaque and small vessel structures, for significantly enhanced examinations.
Multi-detector CT has dramatically improved clinicians' ability to accurately diagnose disease at an early stage. Offering superior imaging capabilities, it is a powerful diagnostic tool that uses rotating X-rays to penetrate body tissues, generating multiple slice images, which can detect more than traditional radiography.
Welcome to the VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital Radiology and Advanced Imaging department. We are committed to providing optimal care to our patients using state of the art veterinary diagnostic imaging. We also provide outpatient imaging services for veterinarians. For information about our radiology and advanced imaging services, please call us at (310) 473-2951.
Services provided:
DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY
Radiographs, or x-ray studies, use x-rays to create an image of the body. This is the most frequently used form of veterinary imaging. Digital radiography does not use film, so it is faster to obtain the images and also makes it easy to share images with other veterinarians. Radiographs are used to diagnose disease in the chest, abdomen, and musculoskeletal system. Contrast studies of the gastrointestinal and urinary tract may also be performed.
ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND
Abdominal ultrasound images are obtained by using a probe that sends sound waves into and then receives them from the body. Ultrasound imaging allows us to evaluate the structure and architecture of internal organs. Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, blood flowing through blood vessels can also be evaluated. Fine needle aspirates and biopsies are commonly obtained under ultrasound guidance. Ultrasound examinations are non-invasive and do not use radiation.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI)
MRI is a highly advanced, non-invasive imaging modality that uses a super-conducting magnet and radio frequencies to obtain detailed cross sectional images of the body. MRI is most commonly used to evaluate the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Patients are under general anesthesia for this procedure to ensure that optimal images are acquired to make an accurate diagnosis. Radiation is not involved in MRI.
HELICAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT SCAN)Computed tomography (CT) uses x-rays to obtain detailed cross sectional images of the body. Given the lack of superimposition, CT provides more detail than conventional x-rays. CT is most commonly used to evaluate the nasal cavity, lungs, and bone abnormalities. It is also used for radiation planning. Fine needle aspirates and biopsies may also be obtained under CT guidance. Patients are under general anesthesia for this procedure to ensure that optimal images are acquired to make an accurate diagnosis. Helical CT is faster than conventional CT, which decreases anesthesia time and also allows us to do contrast studies such as portal CT angiography.
FLUOROSCOPY
Fluoroscopy uses a continuous low dose x-ray that allows evaluation of dynamic imaging of the body. It is most commonly used to diagnose diseases that involve motion, such as collapsing tracheas and swallowing disorders.
