Karlsbader Spine Clinic uses new whole-body scan

EOS Imaging I New 3D whole-body presentation

Imaging Karlsbader Spine Clinic uses new whole-body scan

• New 3D whole-body presentation of bone structures in a natural position facilitates diagnosis and therapy planning
• Reduced radiation protects patients

The SRH Klinikum Karlsbad-Langensteinbach is one of eleven clinics nationwide that use the state-of-the-art imaging system EOS-Imaging. "This gives us even better options for early detection of complex spinal disorders such as scoliosis and other deformities," explains Dr. Thomas Welk, senior physician in radiology at the SRH Klinikum Karlsbad-Langensteinbach. Diseases such as pelvic or leg deformities can also be assessed more precisely due to the new imaging technology. The clinic has been one of the most renowned centres for back problems nationally and internationally for decades. "The new system allows us to take a holistic view and complements our diagnostic options," added Welk.

With the EOS imaging system, the doctors “scan” the patient while standing, which means that the skeleton is presented in its natural position and as a whole under stress. An examination with EOS takes a few seconds and has a low radiation exposure. “Depending on the setting, the radiation is lower than in classic X-ray or CT images. This is particularly important for patients who need to be examined at shorter intervals,” explains Welk. In children and adolescents, the necessary follow-up checks can be made possible with significantly reduced radiation exposure. Patients with restricted mobility can be examined while sitting.

“With the new device, we get a high-resolution, distortion-free 360° image. We can identify deformities in a better way and start planning therapy quickly,” emphasises Welk. The new imaging is made possible by a Nobel Prize technology, the "particle detector technology". Two x-rays arranged at right angles to each other scan the body region to be examined. The realistic 3D images can later be calculated from the two simultaneous levels. This is a decisive advantage, because with the conventional systems the patient was x-rayed several times when taking images of this size. A computer then combined the individual images into an overall image of the spine. The associated overlaps and distortions in the cutting area could sometimes lead to inaccuracies in the display and thus make diagnosis more difficult.

The SRH Klinikum Karlsbad-Langensteinbach is investing more than half a million euros in the new device. Due to the innovative and patient-oriented approach of the low-radiation imaging process, the SRH Holding Foundation (SdbR) is supporting the project with 200,000 euros.

SRH Klinikum Karlsbad-Langensteinbach

The acute hospital specialises in spinal surgery, orthopaedics and traumatology, paraplegia, internal medicine, neurology, vascular surgery and psychiatry and offers treatment at the highest level. The clinic is an academic teaching hospital of the Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg and a member of the Initiative Quality Medicine (IQM). With over 1,000 employees, the SRH Klinikum Karlsbad-Langensteinbach is one of the most important employers in the district. More than 30,000 patients are treated here every year, of which around 21,000 on an outpatient basis. The managing director is Jörg Schwarzer. The clinic belongs to SRH Kliniken GmbH.