Enabling Less-Invasive Therapy
Medical imaging enables a range of less-invasive, highly targeted medical therapies that translate into better and more comfortable care for patients. Because they are less invasive, these treatments mean fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and, in many cases, no incisions or surgery.
5-D Image Guided Cardiac Ablation Therapy will herald a new generation of advanced technology for minimally invasive treatment of cardiac arrhythmias that will dramatically and positively impact the field. In addition to greater success with less risk of morbidity/mortality, other important benefits will include reduced procedure time, less x-ray exposure, and lower cost. See New Dimensions in Medical Imaging.
CT and ultrasound can help women avoid unnecessary surgeries. See CT and ultrasound
Image-guided procedures have replaced open surgical biopsies for bone and other tumors. See Image-guided biopsy
CT scans can reduce the need for invasive procedures and additional imaging tests in helping physicians diagnose pulmonary embolism. See CT scans
Medical imaging permits use of microcoil stents – thin, wire-mesh tubes – to correct brain aneurysms. The procedure reduces the relative chances of death by 23 percent. In addition, patients avoid brain surgery that requires lengthy recovery and often causes permanent disability. See Coils
Minimally invasive, image-guided therapy for prostate and liver cancer permits up-close and powerful treatment directly to cancerous tissue and with better outcomes for patients. See Cancer
Coronary angioplasty – a minimally invasive therapy guided by medical imaging – has become the "therapy of choice," according to the New England Journal of Medicine for re-opening arteries that restrict the flow of blood to the heart. See Angioplasty
Sophisticated new radiation treatment systems provide targeted radiation therapy that matches the tumor shape, but protects surrounding tissue. The result: better success rates, quicker pain relief, and fewer complications. See IMRT
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