Norvic International Hospital recently introduced the advanced 3 Tesla MRI and 128 slices CT Scan

Norvic International Hospital is a leading private hospital in the country offering general and specialised care. Known for settting benchmarks in quality, innovation and higher standards of healthcare and service, Norvic recently introduced the advanced 3 Tesla MRI and 128 slices CT Scan. To know more about the recent technological additions and its possible benefit to patients, B360˚ spoke with Dr. Pankaj Jalan, Consultant Neurologist and Director of Medical Services at Norvic. Excerpts:

Could you elaborate about the new MRI and CT scan facilities?

We have acquired the state-of-art 3 Tesla MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and 128 slices CT (Computed Tomography) scanner from Philips, Netherlands. Both these machines are installed at a completely new facility within Norvic International Hospital. The 3 Tesla Ingenia MRI is first of its kind in the country as it has an in-borne audiovisual experience. The latest generation Digital MRI machine overcomes the previous challenges of image distortion and shadowing with the Multi Drive Transmit technology. The specially designed ambient MRI room along with the latest silent MRI technology reduces sound levels and truly maximises patient comfort.

How will the superior technology benefit patients?

Our latest generation 3.0T CX MRI offers clinical benefits across a spectrum of medical specialties by using advanced applications in neuro, spine, vascular, abdomen, whole body, breast, cardiac, musculoskeletal, ortho imaging, etc. and have espoused new horizons in diagnostic capabilities which has the potential to change the course of treatment. In order to provide most accurate and quality diagnosis related to neuro-radiological imaging (i.e. for tumors, stroke, dementia, infection, aneurysms, seizures, cancer detection etc.), a high end sophisticated machine with higher number of channel is needed. Our new MRI system comes with a digital coil with reduced weight and is one of the best coils available today globally. With this, neuro-radiological imaging has become simpler and shorter than never before, yet offering highest resolution brain imaging. Now even the most advanced clinical exams like functional imaging of brain (fMRI – including the stimulus and response setup - visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, tactile, motor, cognitive etc.) can be performed at ease and with utmost accuracy to understand the brain function and differences in various disease states.

How expensive will this facility be?

We are offering MRI and CT scan at 10-15% cheaper rates than the existing 3 Tesla facilities in the country. A MRI scan of one part of the body could cost about Rs. 10,000 and a CT scan would cost about Rs. 4,000.

What are some key advantages and features of this machine?

Wide Bore tunnel: Traditionally claustrophobic patients are very uncomfortable and anxious while entering the MR tunnel in routine MRI machines. However, the 70-cm wide-bore (tunnel), with bright inner tunnel light and ventilation system in our new MRI ensures patient comfort and helps them overcome anxiety. Feet 1st imaging: In conventional MRI machines, patients are required to enter the MR tunnel with their head first often causing enormous discomfort. In our new MRI system, the feet-first imaging for all body parts (including brain) can be performed i.e, the patient’s feet will enter the MR tunnel first, thus allowing an unrestricted view of the ambient surroundings and making them feel more comfortable. Silent MRI- Nepal’s 1^st One of the most common reasons why patients become uncomfortable and sometimes frightened during an MRI Scan is due to the loud noise it produces. Conventional 3.0T MRI scanners generate noise up to 120dBA (like noise as loud as thunder / race car/ drilling machine etc.). At Ace Imaging, the 3.0T CX Philips MRI system is installed with a unique technology called ‘Silent MRI’, because of which only noise the patient hears is the room level noise. This means absolutely no noise during scanning with maximum patient comfort and a relaxed experience.

How does such this technology better aid in diagnosis ?

Our advanced imaging solutions deliver capabilities that are ready for mainstream practice, providing information that aids insight into:

• Cerebrovascular disease and traumatic brain injury
• Lesion detection and characterisation anywhere in the body
• Monitoring and guiding of treatments
• Staging of lifestyle diseases such as fatty liver disease

Exploring neuroscience with confidence

The Ingenia 3.0T CX and our optional Neuroscience package offer:

• An enhanced user interface – gives the freedom to precisely adjust the scan
• Enhanced fMRI stability - with modern algorithms to reduce and stabilize Nyquist ghosting
• Enhanced diffusion imaging - with up to 128 directions and 32 b-values
• An integrated Quality Assurance tool - to ensure consistency and stability over longitudinal studies

Other clinical applications include:

• Calculating MR diffusion
• Analysis of fMRI data including rich paradigm support
• Fiber Tracking
• Full FOV MR Images with MobiView
• Assessing cartilage quality

Are the facilities at Norvic at par with similar hospitals in neighboring countries considering you are an international hospital?

Yes, this scanner is state-of-art. It is the best in the country and even at par with our neighboring countries. The 3 Tesla MRI’s are the latest technologies in the MRI scanner. The one we have acquired is the latest and we are also backed up by a full time MRI radiologist who has been trained in USA and has the capability to provide a good quality report which will aid clinicians to make a better diagnosis. In nutshell, we are capable of providing a world class service in terms of quality and reliability.

What are the challenges of upgrading technology for hospitals? Is it viable in terms of return of investment?

Well, acquiring new technology is always an expensive venture. There is lot of cost-benefit assessment. At the end of the day we are always focused on providing the best for our patients. With expansion of medical expertise and inflow of many specialties at our center, we are expecting a good number of patients at out new facility. Also, these days there is so much awareness regarding health in the urban population, wherein patients themselves want to get scanned. Keeping all this in mind, we are expecting this to be a viable venture.