Southampton is first UK hospital to add MyLab X90 ultrasound system

Rheumatology patients at NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility are to benefit from the addition of Esaote’s MyLab X90 ultrasound system.

As part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the research facility is hosted by University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust at Southampton General Hospital and supports studies in a range of novel treatments.

More than 800 clinical trials have been completed in Southampton over the last 10 years covering a range of conditions including many types of cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, infection and inflammation, musculoskeletal and neurological conditions in adults and children.

Consultant rheumatologist and clinical lead for rheumatology Dr Chris Holroyd and consultant rheumatologist Dr Brian Davidson have been involved in the purchase of eight Esaote ultrasound systems since 2015. An ageing Esaote ultrasound system was granted replacement funding and Dr Holroyd and Dr Davidson decided to purchase the MyLab X90 system, which was launched in 2023.

“We have always used Esaote; we know the systems and Esaote has a history of great power Doppler,” said Dr Holroyd. “All the users are used to them and really like the systems, so it makes sense to replace them with [equipment from] the same company. We are so excited to be the first customer for the new Esaote MyLab X90. Southampton always likes to lead the way with new things.”

This system will be used for scanning rheumatology patients for signs of active inflammation and drug efficacy, which will be a continuation of an existing service. This service has evolved and now there is a team of doctors and specialised nurse practitioners who scan patients. Dr Davidson added: “We didn’t have an issue with the image quality of our old systems but the image quality on the new system is really impressive.”

Picture: Clinical fellow in rheumatology Dr Noor Nooh, rheumatology clinical nurse specialist Sarah Bennet, speciality trainee in rheumatology Dr James Beynon, consultant rheumatologist Dr Chris Holroyd, rheumatology clinical nurse specialists Helen Platten and Catherine Trevithick and consultant rheumatologist Dr Rakhi Seth.

Published on page 28 of the April 2024 issue of RAD Magazine.