Shriners Hospitals for Children®-Portland Offers New 3D Full Body Imaging System With Low Radiation Dose

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Shriners Hospitals for Children-Portland announces the availability of the new EOS® Imaging System, the first technology capable of providing full-body images of patients in a natural standing or sitting position, in 3D and with a low radiation dose.

At the Portland Shriners Hospitals for Children more than 10,000-12,000 radiological images are taken each year of its 6,000 active patients.  More than 40% of the X-rays taken are of children's spines for diagnosis of conditions like scoliosis and other spinal deformities.  Patients with scoliosis typically undergo imaging every three to six months over a period of several years, which can amount to more than 20 total scans over the course of treatment.[i] This radiation exposure may increase the likelihood of developing cancer in later years.  The EOS system provides high-quality, radiographic images of the patient's skeleton, while delivering a radiation dose up to nine times less than a conventional radiography X-ray[ii] and up to 20 times less than a CT scan[iii]. This low dose makes the system of particular value for pediatric patients, especially children who need to be imaged frequently to monitor disease progression such as those with scoliosis.

"EOS represents a breakthrough in orthopaedic imaging, offering not only the best quality image but also the most advanced low-dose X-ray technology for orthopaedic imaging. Shriners Hospitals of Children-Portland is very excited to bring this technology to our patients in the Pacific Northwest.  We are also proud to be one of only a handful of medical centers in the United States that can offer the latest and best imaging resources to our patients," said Michael Aiona MD, Chief of Staff, Shriners Hospitals for Children-Portland. 

The EOS system is also the only 3D, full-body technology capable of scanning patients in a weight bearing standing or sitting position to capture natural posture and joint orientation.  This is especially important if a patient uses a wheelchair or other supportive device.   Research has demonstrated an intricate relationship between regions of the musculoskeletal system, particularly between the spine and lower body, and 3D bony images of the skeleton enable physicians to make more informed diagnosis and treatment decisions. Without EOS, clinicians often have to "stitch" together multiple smaller, 2D images to approximate a full picture of the targeted anatomy. This process is particularly problematic for complex orthopedic conditions, like spinal disorders.  

The EOS system, developed by EOS imaging, is based upon Nobel Prize-winning particle detection technology and has been shown to be appropriate for a range of musculoskeletal conditions including those involving the hips, knees and spine.

About Shriners Hospitals for Children® - Portland  

Shriners Hospitals for Children® - Portland is part a health care system with locations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The staff at our 22 facilities is dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care, regardless of the families' ability to pay. Within these broad service lines, many types of care are provided. For example, some facilities offer reconstructive plastic surgery, treatment for craniofacial abnormalities or care for sports injuries. Generally, care is provided until age 18, although, in some cases, it may be extended to age 21. All services are provided in a compassionate, family-centered environment.

[i] National Scoliosis Foundation. "What You Need to Know About X-Rays."

[ii] S. Parent et al., "Diagnostic imaging of spinal deformities: Reducing patients radiation dose with a new slot-scanning x-ray imager" – Spine April 2010, 35 (9): 989.

[iii] D. Folinais et al., "Lower Limb Torsional assessment: comparison EOS/CT Scan" – JFR 2011

CONTACT:
Shriners Hospitals for Children-Portland
Pat Grennan
503-221-3458

SOURCE Shriners Hospitals for Children-Portland