Computed Radiography
Rood & Riddle offers computed radiography, which utilizes advanced technology to create digital radiographs. The radiograph is produced using a specialized cassette containing an image plate that captures the image. The cassette is inserted into a specialized reader that reads the image and transmits it to a computer workstation. Images can be viewed on the workstation in less than one minute, and can then be adjusted for brightness and contrast. The image can also be magnified, rotated, reversed to a negative image, and adjusted for detail. The images can be viewed on a high resolution screen or printed on film. Images are also stored electronically.
Direct Digital Radiography
Rood & Riddle also uses direct digital radiography with a state of the art wireless digital radiography (DR) panel made by Canon and with Eklin portable units.
The CXDI-70C Canon wireless panel with a powerful generator enables Rood & Riddle to image the entire equine spine, including the thoracolumbar region, an area that historically veterinarians have been unable to image well. Additionally, this new technology gives us the ability to obtain high-quality radiographs of the pelvic region in some standing horses without the risk of general anesthesia. Previously, patients required anesthesia to obtain diagnostic-quality pelvic images. The CXDI-70C Canon panel was introduced for human use in late 2010. Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital is the first site of veterinary application of this panel.
The Eklin units consist of a preliminary storage and viewing unit and a digital plate to capture the image. The plate collects the image which is then immediately transferred to the storage and viewing unit via a fiber optic cable. These units allow Rood & Riddle to utilize digital radiography inside the operating room and in any location in the hospital. Rood & Riddle can also provide the benefits of digital radiography to our ambulatory clients in the field. The ambulatory veterinarian can examine, manipulate, and optimize the image, sometimes allowing preliminary diagnoses to be made stall-side. This system also significantly reduces the number of retakes, as the radiograph quality can be assessed at the time of the initial examination. The images are then brought back to the hospital where they are uploaded onto a central server for storage. Workstations with high resolution monitors and image viewing software are used to make final diagnoses. The advent of portable digital radiography has also allowed us to radiograph areas of the body such as the thorax, proximal limb, and cervical spine that were previously impractical to radiograph in the field.
Additionally, conventional radiography is also available upon request. Portable radiograph units are routinely used in the field by ambulatory practitioners to bring radiology services to the client.
