Good News Resonates
- August 2003
- Français
A new state-of-the-art diagnostic tool will soon find a home in Niagara, after June's announcement from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care approving a second MRI to serve the southern portion of the Niagara Region.
The MRI Scanner will be located at Greater Niagara General Site in Niagara Falls, and will serve 45% of Niagara residents. Based on the recent announcement, the Niagara Health System has successfully recruited a new Radiologist with MRI experience to the Greater Niagara General Site.
An MRI uses magnetic forces and sophisticated computer technology to provide images of tissues, muscles and joints and shows fine details not picked up by CT scans, ultrasound, or conventional x-rays. Presently, one MRI Scanner, located at the St. Catharines General Site, serves all 430,000 residents in Niagara with a current five-month waiting list for an elective procedure. The additional scanner will decrease this wait list from five to three months.
"Clinically, MRI's are very specific for diagnosing tumours, multiple sclerosis, seizures, aneurysms and pituitary problems," said Bonnie Sipos, Regional Director of Diagnostic Services. "Due to the lengthy MRI waitlist in Niagara, CT is often being utilized where MRI would be more appropriate. The end result is lengthy CT waitlists and at times, insufficient clinical information to make the diagnosis." An additional MRI will not only assist with more appropriate diagnostic patient information but will also help to decrease current CT wait lists in south Niagara by two to four weeks;
"Last year, approximately 6,000 MRI scans were performed by our single unit, and as our population ages and grows, the need for this type of diagnostic tool is only going to increase," Bonnie said. "Not only will a second MRI support our physicians, but the new Regional Stroke Prevention Clinic will benefit from a second MRI. Recent studies have shown MRI to be a very effective evaluation tool for these patients."
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
The Niagara Peninsula Chapter of the MS Society of Canada indicates that there are 84 – 100 newly diagnosed MS cases in Niagara per year. It is imperative that MRI scans be performed in suspect MS cases in order to confirm the diagnosis so that long-term immuno-therapy can be started early. Once MS diagnosis is confirmed, on-going access to MRI is critical to monitor the disease process, thereby impacting on need and demand for this service.
Orthopedics
MRI is extremely sensitive when used in the diagnosis of joint injuries, bone marrow disorders, soft tissue tumours and other musculoskeletal abnormalities. MRI of the knee is one of the most frequently performed musculoskeletal MRI examinations and the increased accessibility that the second unit will provide should reduce the number of arthroscopic surgeries currently carried out for diagnostic purposes. Also, the more accurate diagnoses provided by MRI will contribute to earlier treatment and shorter hospital stays.
Cancer
Similarly, there are opportunities to improve cancer detection, in part through more timely access to MRI for cancer diagnosis and monitoring. To support the important service which will be provided by the Niagara Regional Cancer Centre, the need for additional MRI capacity for the oncology population has already been identified. An additional MR Scanner in South Niagara will assist in addressing the oncology need/demand and will improve cancer patient access to this modality across the region.
Cardiovascular Disease
As MRI is also very useful in the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, increased access to MRI could potentially lead to earlier diagnosis and improved outcomes for Niagara residents.
Currently, the regional MRI service operated at St. Catharines General Site has received two awards for image excellence from the Radiological Society of North America's (RSNA). It is also an accredited MRI clinical training site affiliated with the Michener Institute. "With our excellent background in producing quality images, our technologists are ready and able to extend their talents to serve Niagara better," Bonnie said. "Completion of renovations to the Greater Niagara General Site and installation of an MRI are expected to be completed by 2004. It can't come soon enough for Niagara!"