Breakthrough Diagnostic Imaging Technology Provides Doctors with Fast, Highly Detailed Information to Evaluate Disease

Caldwell Memorial Hospital has officially opened its new, state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner that is being described as a breakthrough tool for the diagnosis of disease.

The new system – known as Signa^® Infinity with EXCITE^™ – is from GE Medical Systems, one of the world’s leading MRI manufacturers. Capable of acquiring diagnostic information significantly faster than other MR systems, the EXCITE scanner enables doctors at Caldwell Memorial Hospital to improve the diagnosis of a wide range of conditions, including cardiac and vascular disease; stroke; abdominal and brain disorders; and musculoskeletal conditions in the knee, shoulder and other joints.

“In essence, we have the ability to capture diagnostic images at the speed of life,” said Caldwell Memorial Hospital President and CEO Laura Easton. “This scanner reduces the length of MRI exams while improving the quality of the anatomical information. It will also make MRI exams more comfortable for patients, especially those who have difficulty holding their breath during certain procedures.”

MRI utilizes computers and magnetic fields, rather than radiation, to provide safe and non-invasive images of the human anatomy. It is estimated that more than 20 million MRI exams are performed each year in the United States.

“Our continuing ability to provide the most advanced care to our patients requires leading-edge technologies like the Signa EXCITE scanner,” said Easton. “This system opens the door to new imaging applications that will improve the diagnosis of disease throughout the human body, from head to toe.”

Caldwell Memorial Hospital began seeing patients in its fixed MRI department in early September.  The MRI department is located just inside the Mulberry Street Entrance of Caldwell Memorial Hospital.  All appointments are physician-referred.

Caldwell Memorial Hospital is the private, not-for-profit, community hospital in Lenoir, North Carolina.  Divisions of Caldwell Memorial Hospital include: The Allene Broyhill Stevens Heilman Radiation Oncology Center; The Ambulatory Infusion Center; Caldwell Acute Care Specialists; Caldwell FamilyCare Center; Caldwell Internal Medicine; Caldwell Physicians; Caldwell Urology Associates; The Center for Breast Health; The Center for Diabetes Health; The Center for Joint Care; The Falls Medical Park; The Falls Neurology & Memory Center; The Falls Pediatrics; Foothills Lymphedema Treatment Center; The George M. Hancock Surgery Center; Hallmark Family Physicians; Main Street Medical Park; Mulberry Pediatrics; The Pain Management Center; Quest4Life Rehabilitation Services; The Quest4Life Wellness Center; Southfork Medical Park; Westpointe Medical Practice and The William E. Stevens, Jr. Cancer Care Center.