2010-10-07 11:51:25 AADI Introduces Revolutionary PET/CT Scanner The GE Discovery PET/CT 600 scanner ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 6, 2010) — Anne Arundel Diagnostics Imaging (AADI) is adding a revolutionary scanner to its outpatient imaging center at the Sajak Pavilion, on the Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) campus. The GE Discoveryä PET/CT 600 scanner, designed specifically for early cancer diagnosis, will go online in mid-October. The Discovery scanner combines a CT scanner that takes detailed images of internal anatomy to identify abnormalities, with a PET scanner that highlights increased metabolic activity associated with tumor growth. The integrated PET/CT scan allows physicians to pinpoint malignancies, which enables precise diagnosis and efficient treatment planning. The scanner aids in the diagnosis of lymphoma and all solid tumors, except those of the prostate. “We’re very excited about this new PET/CT scanner,” says James Reinig, M.D., chief of radiology at AAMC. “The Discovery allows us to see the disease in its early stages, and begin to treat it before it becomes more advanced.” The Discovery technology is designed to merge PET and CT results with great precision.  This provides physicians with added detail, image quality and diagnostic confidence. It offers patients the opportunity for earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment. The Discovery PET/CT scanner is be located in the AADI suite on the first floor of the Sajak Pavilion, 2002 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, Md. Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday. This is the only outpatient diagnostic PET/CT scanner in Anne Arundel County. AAMC has another PET/CT scanner, located in the Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute in the Donner Pavilion. That scanner is used to stage already-diagnosed cancers, assess the patient’s response to chemotherapy and radiation treatment, and detect recurrences of cancer. In contrast, the Discovery PET/CT scanner offers the flexibility to serve as a diagnostic CT, with the opportunity for contrast-enhanced CTs. It also is designed to accommodate larger patients, and helps ease claustrophobia. Because it operates faster than other PET/CT scanners, studies take less time and require less radiation. “We’re excited about bringing this sophisticated imaging technology to our community,” said Carolyn Core, president of AADI. “We know that identifying cancer early gives patients the best chance for a positive outcome.” AADI offers gold-standard technology and a team of board-certified radiologists, with offices in the Sajak Pavilion, the Breast Imaging Center of Excellence at the Health Sciences Pavilion, Weems Creek, Bowie, Kent Island and Shipley’s Choice. Diagnostic imaging tools include X-ray, digital mammography, ultrasound, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, bone density and PET/CT. All centers are connected electronically to AAMC and its medical staff, so images are readily available to referring physicians. AAMC and AADI are both subsidiaries of Anne Arundel Health System (AAHS). For more information, contact Annamarie G. DeCarlo, 443-481-4718.