PUBLIC HEALTH | Health Minister Visits 1.5 Tesla MRI at Provincial Hospital

New MRI at the Regional Hospital performs 2,000 oncological examinations per yearCORDOVA

health consultant and Consumer Affairs of the Junta of Andalusia, Catalina García visited MRI 1.5 Tesla Provincial Hospital, “which is a beacon of hope for cancer patientsand which has witnessed more than 2,000 precision studies in the past year,” said a press release from the Junta of Andalusia. The consultant referred to the province’s magnetic resonance imaging, assuring that “it is more than a high-tech machine, it is the link between science and humanization, since in these processes there are uncertainties for the patient medical workersThrough their efforts and dedication, they provide warmth, security and peace of mind.”

“Behind these MRI tests are stories of fighting a disease that continues to take a toll on patients and their families,” he added. In this sense, he recalled the importance of accepting an invitation to be screened for breast cancer. mother and large intestine, and starting in July – the cervix. “There are people who don’t get screened because they don’t notice symptoms, and that’s a mistake. They show no symptoms in the early stages of the disease and appear in later stages when treatment becomes more complex and aggressive.” And he continued: “ colon cancer

If detected early, it can be cured in 90% of cases; I therefore invite all Andalusians to take a cancer screening test. This could save their lives.”

Accompanied by the Territorial Delegate for Health and Consumer Affairs in Cordoba, Maria Jesús Botella, and the Managing Director of the Reina Sofía University Hospital, Francisco Triviño, she saw firsthand this equipment, which facilitates diagnosis and increases the continuity and quality of treatment. attendance. This is a device with special characteristics that allows for diagnostic studies and planning of oncological treatment. This particular part of the planning began two months ago and about thirty patients have benefited.

“Most cancer patients will be treated in this Provincial hospitalbecause this is where our own sophisticated methods can be carried out, as well as high-quality and precise diagnostic studies anywhere or the development and planning of resonance-guided radiotherapy,” he added, highlighting that in For example, areas such as the breast department, facilitate one-step care.

During her visit, Catalina García praised the work of the professionals, which in this case is carried out on an interdisciplinary basis, among radiologists, radiation oncologists, radiophysicists, nurses and technicians, among others. “Today and always we appreciate what they do here with this and other technologies. With this machine, they plan radiation therapy by limiting tumor volume, reducing variability, increasing control, and reducing the toxicity associated with irradiating adjacent healthy tissue.”

Professionals involved in the process

Owner Health and consumption outlined the specific work of three specialists, such as the head of the radiation oncology service, Amalia Palacios; the head of the radiophysics service, José Antonio Mignano, and the head of the radiodiagnosis and breast cancer service, Marina Alvarez, whose participation in these processes leads to a reduction in response time, accessibility and comfort for patients, since receiving treatment and hospitalization in the same center avoids traveling to other buildings of the complex, which contributes to the continuity of the process.

Palacios, for his part, emphasized that “the interpretation of images suggested by resonance in the field Radiation Oncology “This is complex and requires collaboration between oncology and imaging specialists to achieve accurate cataloging of the answer.” To this end, he explained that they have begun to use resonance to develop and plan treatments for prostate cancer, “and we will gradually include other tumor sites that will benefit from its contribution.”

Alvarez emphasized that resonance imaging is increasingly being used to evaluate response to treatment, not only at the end of that treatment, but also in the early stages to evaluate its effectiveness. Thus, its importance in breast pathology has been emphasized for locoregional staging performed in all patients with an initial diagnosis, as well as for monitoring neoadjuvant treatment or screening of high-risk women. “We are offering more humane care and achieving better diagnostics,” said the head of the radiology service.

Mignano also explained the functionality of this machine, which is capable of generating CT images based on magnetic resonance imaging. “MRI images provide excellent visualization of anatomy and soft tissue, but do not contain the attenuation information needed by radiophysicists to calculate radiation dose. “To overcome this problem,” he emphasized, “conversion algorithms are used to create synthetic CT images from resonance images.” In this regard, the center announced that the Radiophysics Service is evaluating the clinical use of these algorithms. “Currently, every patient, in addition to MRI, must undergo Connecticut be able to make dosimetric calculations. Once the algorithms are implemented into clinical practice, MRI will suffice.”

He Reina Sofia University Hospital of Cordoba Today it has five resonances, the only one of which has a power of 1.5 Tesla (co-financed by European funds under the NextGenerationEU program). More than 30,000 studies were carried out using this equipment in 2023.

Adaptation works

To install this equipment, the hospital underwent a major structural overhaul. And it was necessary to prepare the design of this center so that it would be possible to install equipment of such characteristics, which weighs more than 7 tons. Thus, the equipment was installed on the ground floor of the building. Provincial hospital,

along with the rest of the diagnostic equipment and CT scans used to simulate radiation therapy.

In addition, it was also used to significantly improve the entire area structurally to have more efficient patient contours, improved accessibility, adapted waiting areas, new work areas for specialists and ultimately improved comfort and intimacy. patients and specialists.

In terms of architectural features, the hospital has provided this room with special decor that complements the services the team offers in the field of humanization to improve well-being and reduce stress, such as music or the ability to view images during a test.