Hiroo Central Animal Hospital is equipped with the latest version of a multi-slice CT scan (TOSHIBA Asteion Super 4) and a 3D virtual imaging device (AZE), enabling not only the veterinarians but also the families to understand an abnormality (disease) at the same level. This device is safer compared with a previous version of a CT scan due to much shorter scanning time and less amount of radiation. In addition, this CT unit can scan more finely and widely with a high resolution. The results can be processed by a virtual imaging device to 3D images, with which the organs can be virtually sliced and viewed in any directions and even small parts of organs can be closely checked up.
The abnormalities identified by a CT scan are considerable including brain diseases such as hydrocephalus, brain tumors, automobile accident caused traumas as well as intervertebral disk disease, thoracic and abdominal disorders, early detection of tumors, parts of which are difficult to be detected by simple radiography. The CT scan is done in 2 ways, one a simple scan and the other a contrast scan using a medical dye material. The dye material is injected via a vein to gain more specific diagnostic information. The actual procedure is safely performed under general gas anesthesia with a ventilator and monitoring devices under the supervision of experienced veterinarians and technicians. The safety and reliability of general anesthesia are documented by the number of about 1200 anesthetic procedures we run annually.
Our CT center is widely open to veterinarians of other hospitals as a diagnostic imaging unit 24hours, 365 days.
CT scan has 10 times higher resolution than a radiography. Example of a metastatic lung by a radiography is shown on the left, by a CT scan in the middle. Normal lung is indicated on the right for the reference. The CT scan detected multiple sized lumps over the lung leading to the diagnosis of the metastatic lung tumor, which a radiograph could not.
