Vannes Imaging Center Invests in Cutting-edge Camera to Meet Growing Demand

To meet demand, the private imaging center in Vannes (Morbihan) has acquired a unique camera in Europe, with a second one planned for next year. Located at the heart of the hospital, the site is undergoing expansion. Specialist doctors explain the benefits of the new camera.

In Morbihan, a state-of-the-art camera for patients

Vannes hospital has acquired a new imaging device, a combined PET-CT scanner, offering exceptional precision for diagnosing and monitoring cancer and neurological diseases.

A new tool has arrived at Vannes hospital to improve the care of patients suffering from cancer and neurological diseases. The hospital center has just acquired a state-of-the-art imaging device: a combined PET-CT scanner,or Positron Emission Tomography coupled with Computed Tomography.

“This is a camera like no othre,” explains Dr. Erwan Gabiache, a nuclear medicine physician at the Vannes hospital center. “It allows us to combine functional information – what is happening inside the body at the cellular level, thanks to PET – with anatomical information, provided by CT scan. This combination is invaluable for diagnosis and monitoring.”

More precise diagnoses

The PET-CT scanner is notably useful for detecting the presence of cancerous cells, even before they are visible on conventional imaging. It also allows for a more precise assessment of the extent of the disease and its response to treatment.

“Such as, in oncology, we can use it to stage a cancer, to see if it has spread to other parts of the body,” explains Dr. Gabiache. “We can also use it to monitor the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. If the tumor is shrinking,we can see it on the PET-CT scan.”

applications in neurology

The applications of this new device are not limited to oncology.It is indeed also used in neurology to diagnose and monitor diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

“In neurology, we can use PET-CT to study brain function and detect early signs of neurodegenerative diseases,” says Dr. Gabiache. “This can help us to diagnose these diseases earlier and to start treatment sooner.”

A benefit for patients in Morbihan

The acquisition of this new device is a major benefit for patients in Morbihan.Previously, they had to travel to Rennes or Nantes to undergo a PET-CT scan. Now, they can receive this care closer to home.

“This new device will allow us to provide our patients with the best possible care,” concludes dr. Gabiache. “It is a significant investment in the future of healthcare in Morbihan.”

In Morbihan, a cutting-edge camera for patients

Vannes (Morbihan). The Center Hospitalier Regional (CHR) de Vannes has acquired a new endoscopic capsule, a tiny camera swallowed by patients to explore the digestive tract. This technology, a first in the region, offers a more cozy and less invasive alternative to customary colonoscopies.

The capsule, roughly the size of a vitamin pill, is equipped with a camera and a light source. As it travels through the digestive system, it transmits images to a recorder worn by the patient. This allows doctors to visualize the entire small intestine, an area frequently enough difficult to reach with conventional endoscopy.

“This is a real technological breakthrough,” explains Dr. Jean-Pierre Le Goff, head of the gastroenterology department at CHR Vannes. “It allows us to detect lesions, inflammation, or bleeding in the small intestine with greater precision and comfort for the patient.”

The procedure is simple: the patient swallows the capsule with water, then resumes thier normal activities for eight hours while the capsule transmits data. Afterwards, the capsule is naturally eliminated.

This new technology is particularly beneficial for patients who have experienced unexplained bleeding, iron deficiency anemia, or chronic abdominal pain. It also avoids the risks associated with traditional colonoscopies, such as perforation or infection.

The CHR Vannes plans to perform around fifty capsule endoscopies per year, making it a regional center of expertise in this field. The acquisition of this cutting-edge technology demonstrates the hospital’s commitment to providing patients with the best possible care.

New Digital PET-Scan Benefits Patients at Nuclear Medicine Center

What benefits can patients expect from the new camera that replaced the previous one this summer at the nuclear medicine center? This latest generation digital PET-Scan is a European first.