We are delighted to announce that we now have static CT services within our new site at the Moor Allerton Centre. We can take referrals for CT alone or CT with a view to managing (surgically or medically) the diagnosed condition.
Cases for CT referral include:
- Ear conditions
- Spinal problems
- Nose conditions including persistent nose bleeds, sneezing or facial swellings
- Orthopaedic conditions in particular those involving the knees and elbows
- Screening for metastatic neoplasia
Other Clinical Indications include:
Nasal/sinus disease – helps differentiate neoplasia from rhinitis and guides biopsy
Oncology – Staging and pre-surgical planning – CT is easily done at the same time as core biopsy or lymph node FNA – this is particularly useful for suspected soft tissue sarcomas – in general very useful for giving the following information:
- What is the origin of the mass?
- Where are the margins of the mass?
- Is the mass invading important structures?
- Is underlying bone destruction present?
- Is surgical resection possible?
Thoracic and abdominal met checks – CT is more sensitive than thoracic radiographs and can also be more useful than abdominal ultrasound for bigger dogs or imaging masses in the pelvic inlet/canal CT is particularly useful for mediastinal and lung masses.
Middle/inner ear evaluation - determines middle or inner ear disease, can identify chronic changes and neoplasia – can help to guide the choice of surgical procedure.
Skull trauma – good sensitivity for fracture identification and brain haemorrhage (NB. IV contrast contraindicated in some cases where raised ICP is suspected).
Brain scans – CT allows visualisation of most brain tumours and is useful for first line imaging, but is less sensitive than MRI for tumours, inflammatory, and vascular conditions.
Endocrine - With contrast enhancement, CT is very sensitive at detecting pituitary macroadenomas since the
pituitary gland does not have a blood-brain barrier and will readily contrast enhance.
Neurology – when combined with myelography, CT is good at detecting intervertebral disc prolapse/extrusion and degeneration as well as spinal fractures and bony abnormalities – MRI is more sensitive for assessment of the spinal cord itself.
Lameness diagnosis – CT is much more sensitive than radiographs for the forelimbs, particularly elbows and
shoulders, and is also very useful for assessing the pelvis and hips.
The CT scanner is based at: