The world’s first portable CT scanner

Pictured with a newly delivered portable CT scanner at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge are (from left) consultant neurosurgeon Mr Peter Kirkpatrick, superintendent neuroradiographer Halina Szutowicz, Vertec sales specialist Keith Lakin and neuroradiographer Jessica Hardy.

An 8-slice Neurologica Ceretom CT scanner, described as the world’s only portable CT system, was delivered to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, in spring and by July had scanned over 70 patients in the Neurosciences Critical Care Unit and Neurosurgery theatres recovery area.

Unit nursing staff really appreciate the facility as they do not have to prepare patients for a trip out of the unit. Radiographers find it user-friendly and the neuroradiologists find the scan quality comparable with studies performed on the static units with similar radiation doses.

To follow is an optional motorised trolley which will allow one person to move both the scanner and computer cart to the patients’ bedsides. The unit expects to use the Ceretom during operations when the carbon fibre head clamps are added.

See the full report on page 18 of the August 2009 issue of RAD Magazine.