Diagnostic & Imaging

Herzliya Medical Center’s Diagnostic Imaging Institute features a combination of world-leading computerized systems, the finest radiologists, and certified radiology technicians, which ensures precise and rapid diagnostic information.

The institute utilizes world-leading digital systems, including a multi-slice (up to 64-slice) CT scan for non-invasive cardiac scans, a virtual colonoscopy and dental CT scan, ultrasound imaging, mammography, nuclear medicine, general x-rays , vascular Doppler ultrasound device, and invasive radiology devices. All diagnostic information is stored in a computerized archive system for effective management of medical data, as well as for remote consultations.

General X-Ray
The modern equipment enables performance of full range of radiography and fluoroscopy examinations with minimal radiation, for example: 

• UGI- esophagus, stomach, duodenum + small intestine
• Barium enema
• Visualization of urinary tract (intravenous pyelography-IVP)
• Cystography and retrograde ureterography
• Examination of gastric bands after bariatric surgeries
• Hysterosalpingography
• Pediatric X-ray examination at low dose radiation
• Hand imaging for growth evaluation (bone age test)
• X-ray examinations performed at the operating room using a new C- arm device
• Bedside X-ray examinations using a mobile device

The tests are performed by highly experienced qualified imaging technicians and interpreted by a certified radiologist. All results are available on a CD or an X-ray film. The images are stored in a digital archive (PACS) and are available for production of copies in the future.

Ultrasound
Ultrasound examination without radiation using the most advanced digital equipment facilitating imaging quality. Ultrasound examinations:

• Urinary tract, lymphoid system, abdomen, pelvis, biliary ducts and gynecology
• A special transducer for examination of small organs e.g.: prostate gland, thyroid, testicles, breasts and subcutaneous tumors
• Amniocentesis
• Chorionic villus sampling
• Vascular Doppler US: Doppler US test of carotid arteries, Doppler US test of peripheral blood vessels, Doppler US test of central veins, diagnosis of arterial aneurysms
• Biopsies
• FNA US-Fine needle aspiration of cytological samples: breast, thyroid, lymph nodes, liver and other organs.

The tests are stored in a digital archive system (PACS) and are available for comparison with future tests and production of copies according to the patient’s request.

Mammography
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases in women, detected at the incidence of one out of 9 women in Israel. The mammography unit of the HMC participates in the National Program for Early Detection of breast cancer in women above 50 years of age. The unit uses a novel digital mammography unit.
 

The computerized image archive eliminates the risk of loss of previous information for comparison. The device enables image processing after test performance, thus eliminating the need for repeated X-ray imaging.

Mammography examinations:

• US guided TRUCUT biopsy. Extraction of samples for detection of lesions
• FNL-fine needle localization prior to surgery. A test complementary to mammography
• FNA-fine needle aspiration of complicated cysts
   

The tests are documented in the computerized archiving system (PACS), which enables comparison of the recent tests with future tests and printing of copies according to the patients’ request.

CT - Computerized Tomography
A sophisticated X-ray imaging enabling three-dimensional imaging of the internal organs of the body. This test is designed for the diagnosis of various diseases in any part of the body, or for planning invasive treatments and certain surgeries.

The computerized Philips 64-slice CT scanner used at the hospital performs a highly reliable and accurate comprehensive diagnostic scan of any part of the body, including heart and coronary arteries, blood vessels, spine, joints, head, brain, abdomen, bowels, liver, spleen, urinary tract and teeth. The spiral CT scan technique shortens the test duration, as well as the radiation dose.
All tests are performed by experienced imaging technicians and interpreted by Israel’s leading radiologists.

CT examinations:

• Cardiac CT - cardiac CT scan using the world’s leading CT system
• Virtual colonoscopy for diagnosis of colorectal lesions
• Angiography and vascular imaging - in the carotid arteries, scull, lower limbs, kidneys and urinary tract
• CT arteriography - a test based on dynamic contrast agent injection using an automatic injector
• Specific tests of bones of the hands, ankles, shoulders, pelvic joints, evaluation of fractures and their healing. 3-D and other reconstructions using a computerized most advanced work station.
• Measurements of the lower limbs length.
• CT guided RF ablation - treatment of malignant lesions using RF
• CT arthrography - for visualization of joint pathology
• Transcutaneous biopsies requiring accurate monitoring by CT performed in the chest, abdomen, pelvis, bones, drainage of deep abscesses
• Labeling of small pulmonary lesions prior to surgery
• Virtual bronchoscopy for diagnosis of respiratory system lesions
• Computer assisted labeling and comparison of pulmonary lesions (LNA)
• Low dose chest CT for heavy smokers, for early detection of lung cancer
• CT Urography for visualization of the urinary tract
• CT enterography for visualization of the entire small bowel
• Pediatric CT - high speed low dose scanning, usually without the need for anesthesia
• Dental CT - with capabilities of 3-D reconstruction of the mandible/ maxilla, in case of deformations (for oral- dental reconstructions). Visualization of the root canal and sinus floor prior to surgical extraction, bone measurement prior to implantation of dental implants.

Invasive radiology:
A test performed inside the body using imaging techniques e.g. US, CT or X-ray imaging

Invasive radiology examinations:

• Diagnostic angiography for limbs and arteries
• Therapeutic angiography
• Diagnostic and therapeutic vascular catheterization - dilatation of stenotic regions in blood vessels of the limbs and other organs, using balloons, stents and/or implants
• Insertion of central catheters into deep veins - for dialysis and chemotherapy treatments
• Porth-A-Cath implantation
• Management of fistulas or dialysis shunt complications
• PTC - drainage of obstructed biliary ducts
• Nephrostomy - management of renal obstructions
• Biopsies of: soft tissues, lungs, abdominal organs, FNA or TRUCUT (by needle)
• Resection of bone tumors (osteoma)
• Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation of hepatic tumors
• Embolization of blood vessels supplying tumors or aneurysms
• Treatment of dilated blood vessels
• Fixation of spinal fractures requiring X-ray guidance
• Labeling lesions prior to their resection by CT, using a new technology

All these treatments are performed by the leading experts in the field of invasive radiology, using designated equipment for each procedure.

A field of medical imaging based on the use of very small amounts of radioactive isotopes for either diagnostic (as a tracer) or therapeutic purposes. Nuclear medicine is safe, painless and very efficient in collecting medical information which is more difficult to obtain by other methods, some of which may be more dangerous.  

The unique feature of nuclear medicine is its extraordinary sensitivity to abnormal structure or function of a certain organ. A nuclear medicine test may reveal organ abnormalities at very early stages – long before they become detectable by other diagnostic modalities. Although nuclear medicine has been originally employed for diagnostic purposes, it is now also used for therapeutic purposes, such as: hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, hematological diseases and pain management - in certain cases of bone cancer.

Nuclear medicine tests
Various nuclear medicine tests are performed daily. The most common tests are:

• Bone scan - for evaluation of injuries and fractures, tumors and unexplained pain
• Cardiac scan - for evaluation of blood flow to the myocardium, heart function and diagnosis of damage due to a cardiovascular event
• Thyroid scan - for evaluation of thyroid function and structure
• Pulmonary scan - for evaluation of blood and air flow in and out of the lungs, as well as identification of pulmonary emboli
• Gallbladder scan - for functional evaluation of the liver and gallbladder (usually due to bile duct obstruction or inflammation)
• Additional tests: gallium scan for detection of infections and tumors, identification of colonic hemorrhage and brain scans

About the tests:
All kinds of nuclear medicine tests include three major stages:
*administration of the radioactive tracer, *scanning and *interpretation of the scan.

The tracer is usually administered by IV injection into a vein in the patient’s arm, however it may sometimes be administered orally or by inhalation - depending on the organ being examined. The radioactive tracer is absorbed by organs, bones and tissues, and emits radiation. A special camera (a gamma camera) translates the emitted radiation into images providing anatomical and functional data on the organ being examined.

Side effects are rare, and there is absolutely  no effect on the patient’s well-being.

Following injection of the substance, you will be requested to wait for several hours before imaging can be performed in order to enable the substance to accumulate in the organ of interest. During imaging, the patient is positioned under the gamma camera, and scanning is performed. During the scanning procedure, you may breathe normally, but you will be requested to avoid moving. Motion may compromise image quality, thus precluding accurate interpretation. 
 

The camera does not emit additional radiation, but records the emissions of the previously injected tracer. Therefore, there is no need to limit the number of images recorded. A specialist in nuclear medicine interprets the results and diagnoses the origin of your medical problem. Upon completion of the test and its interpretation, your treating physician will receive a written report.