Groundbreaking Diagnostic Advances at Lake Medical Imaging Lead to Early Diagnosis, Successful Disease Management

Lake Medical Imaging

Continues to Set Benchmarks for Best Practices

Dr. Cathrine E. Keller Managing Physician

For close to 50 years, Lake Medical Imaging has earned its standing as one of the most respected diagnostic imaging practices in the country. The practice continues to garner national recognition for the quality of patient care and safety from some of the field’s most respected professional organizations and was the recipient of the Best Practices in Patient-Centric Radiology Award at the 2011 RSNA (Radiology Society of North America) conference.

Since Lake Medical Imaging’s first physicians began providing radiology services to Leesburg General Hospital (now Leesburg Regional Medical Center) in 1965, the practice has grown to be one of a few full-service diagnostic imaging centers in our region specializing and fully accredited in MRI, CT, PET (Positron

Emission Tomography), women’s imaging, needle core breast biopsies, nuclear medicine and interventional radiology. The 22 Board Certified Radiologists at Lake Medical Imaging are devoted to providing accurate diagnosis and the best patient care and have recently introduced several groundbreaking technologies.

Pinpointing Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, following lung cancer. Until now, it was difficult to accurately determine a patient’s prostate cancer severity and minimize the number of prostate biopsies required, which is currently between 12 and 30 samples. By using a new advanced MRI image analysis system called VividLook®, Lake Medical Imaging Radiologists are able to better localizesites of potential cancer from within the complex vasculature of the prostate.

“This exam serves as an enhancement to prostate ultrasound,” said Dr. Cathrine Keller, managing physician for the group. “The additional information the MRI gives serves to guide the biopsy and support treatment planning, and can be used with the Urologist’s prostate ultrasound to help direct biopsy of cancer localized by the MRI.”

Picturing Parkinson’s

The practice was recently chosen as one of only 12 sites in the southeastern U.S. approved to perform a new, FDA-approved imaging test called a DaT scan, which allows physicians to differentiate between Parkinson’s Disease and other tremor disorders.

“Until now, many patients have had to wait years before getting a definitive diagnosis,” said Radiologist Dr. George Kainz.

“Performing DaT scans is a game changer. It’s going to lead to earlier and clearer diagnosis for patients with tremors,” he said.

“That’s critical, because Parkinson’s is treated differently from disorders such as Essential

Tremors. An earlier diagnosis means patients can start receiving the right treatment sooner, potentially slowing the progress of this devastating disease.”

Evaluating Alzheimer’s

Lake Medical Imaging’s Nuclear Medicine department recently began to perform brain scans utilizing Amyvid, a radioactive agent approved by the FDA and indicated for brain imaging of beta-amyloid plaques in patients with cognitive impairment who are being evaluated for Alzheimer’s Disease and other cognitive decline.

“It is do not have Alzheimer’s pathology,” said Dr. Keller. “The Amyvid scan offers physicians a tool that, in conjunction with other diagnostic evaluations, can provide information to help physicians evaluate and effectively treat their patients as well as to monitor response to therapy . . . This is a huge breakthrough for patients in cognitive decline.”

Patient Safety a Priority

“We’re the first imaging center locally to routinely incorporate thyroid and breast shields, to distribute record cards to patients to track their radiation exposure, and we’re one of the first practices in the nation to join the National Image Wisely (adult) and Image Gently (pediatric) radiation safety campaigns,” said Dr. George Kainz. “We are very proud of how we’re using technology to enhance patient care and safety.”

“After suffering from varicose veins for years, I started looking for an office that focused solely on vein procedures. I saw an ad for Comprehensive Vein Centers and decided to give them a try. It was the best decision I have ever made. PA Tran is knowledgeable, friendly, and caring — everything you want in a medical provider. His staff is exceptional, and I always know I am in capable hands. The best part is that I can finally wear shorts again!”

SYLVESTER

COTTO VILLAGES RESIDENT