Now more detail in fetal scans

In the maternity department at New Cross Hospital with an Acuson S2000 ultrasound system are (from left) clinical ultrasound manager Sue Burford, clinical specialist sonographers Ann Pakes, Peter Cogings and Alison Yates (acting as a patient), Siemens’ Bernadette Leonard and clinical specialist sonographer Sara Westwood.

Obstetric patients at New Cross Hospital, part of The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, are receiving more detailed scans following the installation of three Acuson S2000 ultrasound systems and a Spatio-Temporal Imaging Correlation (STIC) application from Siemens Healthcare.

One S2000 system has been installed into the Fetal Medicine Department and includes STIC for obtaining detailed images of fetal hearts.  STIC provides an automated acquisition of a high quality fetal heart volume using a sophisticated algorithm that compensates for variability in heart rate.  Multi-planar reformatted images are easily obtained for detailed anatomical evaluation.  STIC also features real-time heart rate display and preview mode.

“The S2000’s excellent image quality provides a clear and detailed representation of any cardiac abnormalities, enabling us to accurately diagnose and treat as many problems as possible,” said New Cross consultant obstetrician David Churchill.  “The STIC package will significantly increase our yield detection rate in small hearts to uncover problems early such as ventricular septal defects.”

The other S2000 systems have been installed in the maternity department for paediatric, obstetric and gynaecological work.  “We selected the systems for their image quality and the variety of different probes available,” said clinical ultrasound manager Sue Burford.  “We are very pleased with the lightweight and comfortable first trimester 9L4 probe, which we are using to obtain highly detailed obstetric and baby hip scans.”

See the full report on page 38 of the November 2009 issue of RAD Magazine.