This past year, generous donor support has enabled us to upgrade important imaging equipment, which is essential to both diagnosis and treatment. Here are a few examples from both the Gulshan & Pyarali G. Nanji Family Foundation Centre for Medical Imaging and our Nuclear Medicine Department that we use every day for patient care, thanks to donors:
The Medical Imaging Department will be receiving two new ultrasound units shortly, as part of an ongoing plan to replace an aging fleet.
One of the ultrasound machines will be used in the main Imaging Unit for a wide range of investigations – from pregnancy checks on the baby’s development, to examining blood flow in a patient’s leg, to scanning the thyroid to investigate nodules (a growth or mass). The other machine will be a dedicated breast ultrasound machine used in breast imaging in conjunction with mammography to diagnose and follow-up on breast irregularities.
The new machines are equipped with newer technology to show clearer images in greater detail. This improvement is helpful for diagnosis – for example, in being able to detect irregularities in a baby’s development, in differentiating between a cyst and a cancerous mass, and in identifying a blood clot in a leg that requires intervention.
“I can’t express how much gratitude we have towards our community for helping us. The entire Medical Imaging Department requires continuous equipment renewals and without your support, we wouldn’t be able to do that. Your generosity is crucial to patient care.”
Dr. Ryan Margau, Chief Radiologist and Medical Director
This past year, an exciting reboot began in Nuclear Medicine at NYGH, a specialized area of medical imaging that is often used to plan treatment primarily for patients with cancer, heart disease and serious infection. Thanks to a lead donation and contributions from other donors, the department has replaced the first of three aging gamma cameras with a new one that has SPECT/CT. The advanced technology enables clinicians to take better quality images faster – and with a lower radiation dose.
“I went to the BMO Breast Diagnostic Clinic for a consultation, where my previous imaging results were reviewed. A few days later, I had a breast biopsy and then an MRI at the Gulshan & Pyarali G. Nanji Family Foundation Centre for Medical Imaging. I was quite scared because I already knew I had cancer, but the Clinic Coordinator was so compassionate, and came over to talk to me and calm me. The sonographers also held my hand during the tests, which was incredibly comforting. To have this support from the clinical team made me feel well supported and reassured that I wasn’t going through these tests alone.”
Lisa, A grateful mom and grandmother
Over the past year, the new advanced 1.5T MRI machine – made possible by a lead gift from Gulshan & Pyarali G. Nanji – has been fully utilized.
The new 1.5T MRI at NYGH is being used to enhance cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment planning. It is specifically used to conduct MRI-guided breast biopsies and for cancer staging (determining the stage of cancer and whether it has spread). The additional imaging detail from the new scanner allows clinicians to target areas of concern in the breast for biopsy with greater precision. It also supplies more accurate staging information to inform treatment decisions. These capabilities are equally helping in the diagnosis of other conditions like prostate cancer, dementia, and various cardiac issues. With its state-of-the-art features, the 1.5T MRI generates much sharper 3D images, enabling faster full image reconstruction than the previous scanner.
The 1.5T MRI also offers an improved patient experience. It is quieter and its larger tunnel opening is more comfortable for patients. For those patients who experience claustrophobia, the new machine also includes a screen that displays cartoons to help put patients at ease during their scans.
