User:Canada Diagnostics

Corporate Profile Canada Diagnostic Centres (CDC) is a medical diagnostic imaging company. Formally known as Western Canada MRI Centres, CDC opened its doors in Calgary AB as the first non-hospital private MRI in Western Canada. Over the next fifteen years, Western Canada MRI expanded into affiliated locations in Mississauga, Toronto, Hull, and Vancouver. The company then adopted the name Canada Diagnostic Centres in 2002.

Since 2004, Canada Diagnostic Centres has opened six locations in Alberta that include Calgary, Edmonton and Okotoks. With nine dedicated radiologists and over 75 technologists, CDC offers private and general diagnostic imaging. Private services include MRI and CT, and Alberta Health Care covers general services including 2D and 4D Ultrasound, Mammography, Bone Densitometry, GI studies, Pain Management Therapy and X-ray. Modalities offered vary by clinic. CDC services meet all of the guidelines specified in the Canada Health Act and the organization works closely with the College of Physician and Surgeons of Alberta and Alberta Health services. Canada Diagnostic Centres is regarded as a leader in patient care in Alberta.

CDC Alberta Health Care Covered Imaging Services

Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses sound waves to generate an image, similar to sonar but in much finer detail. It is commonly used for obstetrics and looking at solid or fluid filled structures in the abdomen such as the liver, kidney or gallbladder. Ultrasound is also a good tool for looking at muscles and tendons, such as the rotator cuff in the shoulder, or other tissues near the surface of the skin like lymph nodes. Most major blood vessels can be assessed in great detail to look for blood clots or blockages. Ultrasound cannot see through bone however, or into organs containing air such as the lungs, stomach or bowel.

Obstetrical Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a versatile imaging tool that is most often used for obstetrics and pregnancy. Sound waves are transmitted through the uterus and bounce off your baby, resulting in echoes that are translated by a computer into an image. Our technologists are fully certified by Fetal Medicine International to perform Nuchal Translucency ultrasound exams.

Canada Diagnostic Centres (CDC) offers both 2D and 4D ultrasound exams:

• 2D Ultrasound is a traditional ultrasound exam that offers a flat or two-dimensional view of your baby. • 4D Ultrasound uses to represent the latest breakthrough in medical imaging technology. Unlike flat 2D images, 4D technology reconstructs still 3D images in ‘real time’, allowing for the images to be viewed ‘live’, similar to a mini-video. A 4D CD-Rom of fetal images is available for patients upon request.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSK)

A MSK ultrasound is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of inside the patient’s body. It shows the structure and movement of internal organs as well as blood flowing through the vessels. The procedure is used to diagnose conditions with muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints or other soft tissues. It is commonly used on shoulders, elbows, hands, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, feet as well as other lump, bumps and other soft tissue.

Bone Mineral Densitometry (BMD)

A BMD exam is a painless procedure used to diagnose and follow osteoporosis, a condition that leads to gradual calcium loss and structural changes. The scan utilizes an enhanced form of X-ray technology called Dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA, previously DEXA) to measure bone density. As part of a BMD exam, patients may be offered a Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) that exams the spine to look for vertebral fractures.

Gastrointestinal Studies (GI Studies)

A GI study is an exam that uses a special form of X-ray called fluoroscopy to image the pharynx, esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestines. A contrast material called barium is ingested and images are taken. It provides detail information on various stomach and intestinal illness and conditions. These include heartburn, indigestion, inflammation, ulcers, blood in the stool, change in bowel habits and cancer. CDC offers the following three GI Studies: Upper GI, Small Bowel Follow-Through (SBFT) and Barium Enema.

Mammography

A mammogram is used to aid in the early detection of breast diseases in the breast tissue such as growths or micro-calcifications. Two types of mammograms are as follows: • Screening mammograms are done for patients who have no symptoms of breast cancer. It usually involves two X-rays of both breasts. The American Cancer Society and the American Medical Association recommend annual mammograms between ages 40-69. The Canadian Cancer Society recommends women should have a mammogram every two years between the ages of 50-69. • Diagnostic mammogram is an exam when someone has a specific breast symptom such as a new pain, lump or unusual changes to the skin or nipple. If there is a concern with a screening mammogram exam a diagnostic mammogram may be done. There are recent advances in mammography including Digital Mammography, Computer-aided detection(CAD), and Tomosynthesis. These services are complimentary at all Alberta Canada Diagnostic Centre locations.

Pain Management Therapy

Pain management therapy is a treatment using fluoroscopy, a form of X-ray technology, to guide the delivery of medication (usually cortisone) into a joint that is causing pain. It is especially helpful in treating chronic tendonitis, osteoarthritis and post-traumatic injuries such a chronic pain in healed fractured joints. Common areas for treatment are: • lumbar spine • knees • elbows • wrists • sacroiliac joints • nerve roots • hips • facet joints • shoulders X-ray X-rays are the most frequently used form of medical imaging. Most commonly, X-rays are used to detect dislocation of bones or joints, healing and alignment of fractures after treatment fluid build-up in bones and joints injury (infection, arthritis, abnormal bone growth, osteoporosis) cancer and location of foreign objects.

Private Imaging Services Alberta CDC offers private imaging services, where patients pay the exam costs, to individuals needing the following: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) MRI uses detailed and vivid imaging for diagnosing many health problems and diseases of the body, and is considered the most accurate technology. MRI is used for diagnosing and visualizing multiple sclerosis (MS); tumors of the pituitary gland and brain; infections in the brain, spine or joints; torn ligaments in the wrist, knee and ankle; shoulder injuries, tendonitis; masses in the soft tissues of the body; and bone tumors, cysts and bulging or herniated discs in the spine; and strokes in their earliest stages. Computed Tomography Scan (CT) CT uses rapid x-ray technology to create detailed images of the internal organs, soft tissue and blood vessels with even greater clarity than conventional x-rays. CT has proven to be valuable in detecting and visualizing cancer of the lung, liver, colon and pancreas; muscle and bone disorders; injuries to the hands, feet and other skeletal structures; vascular diseases that can lead to stroke or kidney failure; chest and abdominal problems; and sinus conditions. Preventive Health Scans Preventive health scans use Computed Tomography (CT) technology to aid in detecting early signs of heart disease, lung cancer and colon cancer.

Medical Team • Dr. Benjamin Wong, B. Sc, MD, FRCPC – Medical Director • Dr. Jay Zelazo, B. Sc, MD, FRCPC – Director of CT • Dr. Robert Davies, BM Sc, MD, FRCPC – Director of Mammography • Dr. Brian Loe, B. Sc, MD, FRCPC • Dr. Javier Liew, B. Sc, MD, FRCPC • Dr. H. L. Nancy Kim, MD, FRCP(C) • Dr. Philip Chen, MD, FRCP(C) • Dr. Kai-Ling Ng, MD, FRCP(C) • Dr. Graham Campbell, MD, FRCP(C)

Community Giving CDC supports not-for-profit- organizations that help children, women and men improve their life experiences. Whether it is ensuring kids have the chance to play sports, supporting the performing arts, giving to agencies that meet the basic needs of vulnerable families, or supporting important health-related research and programs, CDC is dedicated to creating a community where everyone can have the best life experience possible, regardless of their circumstances. CDC is the exclusive imaging provider of the Alberta Ballet. External Links (format all addresses???) CanadaDiagnostics.ca http://www.ottawavalleymri.com/ http://www.mricentre.com/on/index.html http://www.canadadiagnostic.com/ http://www.cpsa.ab.ca/Homepage.aspx http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/ http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/medi-assur/cha-lcs/index-eng.php

External Links www.canadadiagnostics.ca