First Multi-slice Detector CT Scanner Launched

PENANG, May 13 (Bernama) -- A local private hospital, Gleneagles Medical Centre (GMC) Friday launched a 64-slice multi-slice detector computed tomography (MDCT) scanner, the first of its kind in the country.

GMC general manager Ronald Koh said the hospital was the first in the country to purchase the device, which was the world's most expensive scanner.

"With a cost of up to RM4.6 million, the scanner is capable of detecting early stages of cancer in all major organs, coronary diseases and stroke so that early prevention and treatment can be available to patients," he said at the launching of the scanner here Friday.

The scanner was launched by Health Ministry Parliamentary Secretary, Lee Kar Choon here Friday.

Meanwhile, GMC consultant radiologist Dr Zainariah Mohd Zain said the scanner has a 99 percent negative predictive value in detecting diseases in patients for early treatment.

"The Japanese-based technology scanner has a relibility (level) of up to 99 percent and is able to predict coronary diseases, stroke and also perform colonoscopy," she said.

Dr Zainariah said treatment using the scanner would cost about RM2,300 per treatment, while a package which included consulting a cardiologist, scanning and follow-up check-ups, would only cost about RM2,900.

She said currently, the scanner was only available to three other countries such as John Hopkins University in the United States, Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore and Fujita University in Japan.

-- BERNAMA

More links regarding MDCT ::

• What is Multislice Computed Tomography
  
• Virtual coronary angioscopy using MDCT
  
• Non-invasive coronary angiography with MDCT
  
• Multislice Computed Tomography: Basic Principles and Clinical PracticePDF/ADOBE Format
  
• Multidetector computed tomography

At RM2,300 a go, will there be many takers?