Children's Hospital of Wisconsin One of Two Pediatric Hospitals in Nation to Implement EOS Scanner

MILWAUKEE, May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's Hospital of Wisconsin has installed an EOS low-dose radiation scanner, one of two in a pediatric hospital in the nation. Children's Hospital, located in Milwaukee, is one of the top-rated pediatric hospitals in the country. The Variety Orthopedic Center at Children's Hospital primarily will use the scanner to aid in treating children with scoliosis and other chronic orthopedic conditions that require frequent full-spine imaging. The scanner was funded, in part, by a donation from Variety-The Children's Charity of Wisconsin. The EOS scanner will be in use starting Monday, May 10.

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"The EOS scanner will provide us full front and side view images, similar to CT scanners, but with fewer radiation risks," said John G. Thometz, MD, medical director, Orthopedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and professor of Orthopedics, The Medical College of Wisconsin. "EOS imaging will offer us greater precision in our surgical planning resulting in even better and safer care for our patients."

"We are extremely pleased to be able to provide this higher level of imaging to our patients," said Channing Tassone, MD, orthopedic surgeon, Children's Hospital. "We image our scoliosis patients every six months until skeletal maturity in order to follow their growth and development and to determine their course of treatment. To now be able to perform these studies with much less radiation is incredibly beneficial." Tassone also is an associate professor of Orthopedics at the Medical College.

EOS can capture head-to-toe images of patients in a standing, weight-bearing position with a dramatic reduction in radiation dose – up to 10 times less than a conventional X-ray and up to 89 percent less than a CT (computed tomography) scan of the spine. Additionally, EOS images are designed to provide sharp detail and empower physicians to better diagnose and plan an effective course of treatment.

The Orthopedic Center at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is one of the busiest in the nation. Orthopedic surgeons in the center provide state-of-the art treatment to more than 25,000 children annually for both routine and rare pediatric orthopedic conditions.

"Variety is thrilled to make it possible for Children's Hospital to continue to provide the best state-of-the-art care for Wisconsin children challenged by orthopedic health problems," said Gerise LaSpisa, executive director, Variety-The Children's Charity of Wisconsin. "By bringing EOS to the Variety Orthopedic Center, we ensure that every year, thousands of children will benefit from this cutting-edge technology."

About Children's Hospital of Wisconsin

Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, founded in 1894, is recognized as one of the leading pediatric health care centers in the United States. It is rated No. 3 in the nation by Parents magazine and named one of America's Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center verified by the American College of Surgeons. The hospital has been re-designated a Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a national honor that recognizes nursing excellence. Private, independent and not-for-profit, the hospital serves children and families from Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, northern Illinois and beyond. Children's Hospital is the flagship member of Children's Hospital and Health System. In 2008, the health system invested more than $114 million back into the community to improve the health status of children. For more information, visit the Web site at www.chw.org.

About Variety-The Children's Charity of Wisconsin

Variety-The Children's Charity of Wisconsin is a non-profit organization formed in 1935. Variety's mission is to provide life-enriching assistance to Wisconsin children challenged by physical disabilities. In addition to this important work, Variety also serves Wisconsin children challenged by physical disabilities through two other programs: Variety Freedom Program and Variety Future Kids Program. The Variety Freedom Program strives to make the world more accessible through our Kids on the Go! mobility grants, which provide Wisconsin's children with physical disabilities with needed durable medical equipment, therapy and services. Variety's Future Kids Program offers a series of no-cost memorable educational and play experiences that generally are inaccessible to children challenged by physical disabilities.

About biospace med

The EOS ultra-low-dose 2D|/3D imaging system, developed by biospace med, is a new medical imaging modality that allows full-body 2D and 3D imaging of patients at very low irradiation doses. EOS is a novel technique and a global solution for orthopedic imaging that is now available in Europe and the U.S. Based in Paris, the company currently has approximately 40 employees, and has a subsidiary in Cambridge, Mass., as well as an office in Montreal. It is targeting a $2 billion orthopedic imaging marketplace. Learn more at biospacemed.com.

SOURCE Children's Hospital of Wisconsin